AUTUMN VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Last week we administered 861 RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccinations to those aged 75-79 years of age. If you received a letter and were unable to attend, please get in touch with the practice to book an appointment with the nurse. Please note, this vaccine is only available to those who turned 75 on or after 01/09/24 and is offered to those up to the day before they turn 80. More information can be found here

The surgery will be running several clinics to administer Flu and COVID 19 vaccines from Thursday 17th October to Thursday 7th November. Invitations to attend one of these clinics will be sent to all those eligible.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY OR TO ADVISE NON ATTENDANCE

Upcoming Surgery Closures

Thursday 24th October: 12.45pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 28th November: 12.45pm - 6.00pm

Wednesday 25th December & Thursday 26th December: All Day

Wednesday 1st January 2025: All Day

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL PATIENTS

At Priory CIC we are always looking for ways to improve our service to our patients, ensuring you are able to access the best possible care in a safe and equitable manner.

The practice has undergone significant change in the last 18-24 months, which has been further disrupted by the well-publicised challenges being faced across the healthcare sector as a whole. This has led to a significant increase in demand for our services as patient lists continue to grow at a rate that cannot be met by current staffing and funding levels.

Our number one priority will always be for the safety of our patients, ensuring that those who require our services the most, are able to receive the care they need.

We have listened to your feedback and have developed what we believe to be the safest and most equitable approach for all our patients.

Commencing on Monday 30^th September, if you would like to make an appointment with a GP, get some advice or pass on a message, simply call us on our usual number. Our team at reception will work through a small number of questions with you before passing your information onto our on call GP at that time. Based on the information you have given and your past medical history, the GP will make an informed decision on the best course of action for you. A member of the team will contact you to take you through your GP approved plan.

Therefore, from Monday 30^th September we will no longer be taking GP appointment bookings at the front desk at either site – Doors will open at 9am

The questions being asked by the reception staff have been set by the GP’s and will provide invaluable insight to help them make an informed decision on the best type of care for you. The reception staff will not be triaging or making any decisions on medical queries.

It is vital that you provide the receptionists with as much detail as you can to ensure the GP can make an informed assessment.

Will there be routine appointments available to pre-book?
We will contiune to offer pre-bookable routine appointments. These will have the choice of either a face to face or telephone appointment to suit your query or preference. Along with a choice of which GP/ANP, where availability allows, you would like to speak to. This is being trialled with the new triage appointment system roll out, so please be aware, it may be tweaked as needed. 

We truly believe these changes will enhance your experience with Priory CIC.

Care Navigation: 

Did you know that Care Navigation uses signposting to help patients receive the Right Care from the right professional at the right time?

This may include seeing our: Physiotherapy team, Social worker, treatment room nurse, being directed under the NI PEARS scheme to the Optician, District Nursing or our Practice Pharmacist.

For all other general queries including treatment room appointments and test results please call the surgery between the hours of 9:30am-12:45pm and from 1:45pm-6:00pm

This will ensure that patients requiring immediate medical attention can be seen.

Repeat Prescriptions

From Monday 14th October our repeat prescription telephone service will operate from 8:00am - 8:00pm Monday - Friday

DID YOU KNOW the quickest way to order your repeat prescription is through our online services. Please ask a member of the team for a registration form and list of repeat medications.

Zero Tolerance

Please also note that our reception teams are dedicated and hard working.  It is not acceptable to be abusive or violent towards any member of staff in the practice either verbally or physically.

The practice has a Zero Tolerance policy and unwanted behaviour shown towards our staff could result in the removal from our practice register.  

Thank you for your co-operation at this very busy time of the year. 

Priory C.I.C