This guide can help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they’re safe and important. If you have any questions or concerns regarding vaccinations, please contact us.

We operate a texting service for all of our patients to remind them of their appointments or of clinics that we run – we require your UK mobile phone number to do this (please note, we are unable to text or call non-UK numbers).

This facility also allows you to cancel your appointment via your phone, which saves you time.

If you have not provided us with your mobile number or have changed your number recently please update your details on the Communication Consent Form.

If you do not wish to receive text messages, please let us know and we can update your details on our system.

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New Data Protection Regulations from May 2018 (GDPR)

Under the new Data Protection Regulations introduced from 25th May 2018, we will continue to contact patients via text messages regarding the delivery of care if they have provided consent for us to do so.

If the Practice is sending a text message about recommended treatment for the management of a specific health issue, then this is defined as providing appropriate care for a patient and not as marketing purposes.

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Messaging App / Texting Service:

MJog Messenger is a free app for patients allowing quick and easy two-way communications with their Practice. The familiar user interface means patients will be able to use the app straight out of the box, providing patients with a convenient way to manage appointments, be alerted about services and receive reminders from their surgery. PIN authentication can be enabled to grant peace of mind for your patient.

• No cost for Patients to use the MJog Messenger App – it is free to download with no message costs.
• Simple to use app – MJog Messenger is self explanatory with clear details including links and buttons to complete app interactions – familiar and recognisable styling.
• More informative messages for Patients, compared to SMS, with styled text and images allowing for clear and branded Practice communications.
• Convenient communications – app provides a straightforward view of documents including pdfs and letters the practice sends via the app which is delivered to one device (accessible across multiple).
• Easy access – it’s a simple process to cancel appointments in ‘one click’.
• Informative, relevant and efficient communications received – letter, pictures, links etc. all contained in one message.
• Provides quick access to Google Maps, Facebook and other apps so patients can stay in touch with your Practice.
• Building greater online engagement with patients.

Please contact us for details regarding our texting service.

The Patient Transport Service provides ambulances to patients who need support to reach their healthcare appointment, or for their admission to and discharge from hospital, due to their medical/clinical needs.

Patient Transport Service booking service provided by North East Ambulance Service

Patients should dial 0191 215 1515 to book their transport.

Bookings can be made Monday to Friday, from 8am-6pm. If patients or GPs need to cancel an appointment for the next working day they will need to ring 0300 111 0247. If the cancellation is for a booking after the next working day, they should ring 0191 215 1515.

Services which are outwith the NHS Contract

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.

Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.

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Your questions answered

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

• accident/sickness insurance certificates
• certain travel vaccinations
• private medical insurance reports
• statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
• Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
• Holiday cancellation claim forms
• Referral for private care forms

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:

• medical reports for an insurance company
• some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
• examinations of occupational health

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.

I only need the Doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a Doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the Doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the Doctor with the General Medical Council or even the Police.

What can I do to help?

• If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
• Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight

Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following: 

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.) 
• Insurance Claim Forms 
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad 
• Private Sick Notes 
• Vaccination Certificates 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability. 

Screening is a way of finding out if people are at higher risk of a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions.

The first time you are prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition, you may be able to get extra help and advice about your medicine from your local Pharmacist through a free scheme called the New Medicine Service (NMS).

An interpreting service is available free of charge for patients using GP and NHS Hospital Services in England. This includes interpreting for people who are deaf or deaf/blind.

We do not allow children to act as interpreters during your treatment or appointments. 

A member of the Team from the Practice or the Hospital Department dealing with your treatment or appointment will arrange the interpreter. To make sure we can support you effectively we need you to do certain things so please do let us know you need interpreting help as soon as possible. Preferably, this should be as soon as you make an appointment with your GP.

• If you are going into Hospital, contact the Ward or Department to let them know you need an interpreter, as soon as you receive your Hospital appointment. You may need a friend or relative who speaks English to tell us that you need an interpreter, the first time.
• Be sure to let us know if you will not be coming for your appointment or treatment. If you do not tell us you might stop another patient getting the help they need.
• Be sure to tell us if you will be late for your appointment or treatment. Another patient somewhere else might need the interpreter. If you are late the next patient might miss their appointment or not get the help they need.
• Let us know if you have had any problems with communication during your appointment or treatment. This will help us improve the service.
• Tell us if communication was good. This also helps us provide a good service.

District Nurses

District nurses have been at the front line of health care in the community for many years. If you can’t leave your home due to poor health, problems getting around or a long-term condition, your district nurse is here to help.

District Nurses carry out many roles for housebound and older patients, including:

• General nursing procedures and investigations
• Post-surgery care
• Assessment of patients’ needs
• Care for terminally ill patients
• Loaning of equipment
• Looking after wounds and leg ulcers
• Educating patients about self-care

Our GP Practice is keen to ensure that we make the best use of our clinical staff, allowing them to provide the most appropriate care to those most in need of it. For the vast majority of patients, attending an appointment at the Practice is the best option for them and for the Practice staff. 

You may think that a home visit by a family doctor (GP) is best for patient care. However, while home visits are convenient for the patient, they actually offer a poorer standard of care compared to surgery consultations.

This is due to:

• poor facilities – for example, soft beds, poor lighting or lack of hygiene
• inefficiency – the doctor could see four to six other equally needy patients in the time taken for one home visit
• patient records, which are required to provide appropriate and safe care, are not immediately available; and
• patient chaperones, who are required to be present for some examinations, are not always available.

We have noticed that many patients are requesting visits that are inappropriate or unnecessary. This has a negative impact on other aspects of our service. Calling the doctor out unnecessarily takes the doctor away from patients who may have a greater clinical need. Most of the consultations during home visits could easily and safely be carried out in the surgery.

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Some myths about home visits

Myth	Fact
It’s my right to have a home visit.	Under the GP terms of service, it is actually up to the doctor to decide, in their reasonable opinion, where a consultation should take place.
I should get a visit because I’m old.	Our clinical work does not judge based on age alone.
I can’t bring my child out in this weather.	No-one will be harmed by being wrapped up and brought in to the surgery.
The doctor needs to check I’m ready to go into hospital.	Paramedics can provide initial lifesaving care, and patients will be cared for appropriately in emergency departments.
I’m housebound.	Being housebound does not always prevent use of transport.
I live in a care home.	Many patients living in care homes still go to hospital outpatients and take trips out.
Can the GP just pop in to see me?	We have fully booked surgeries and cannot simply drop everything to visit people at home.

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Where home visits are not appropriate

Please note this list only includes some examples, and is not exhaustive.

• Children, young people or anyone who is mobile
• Lack of money or transport. This is not a medical responsibility. It is up to the patient to organise transport
• Lack of childcare or been drinking alcohol and not able to drive. This is not a medical responsibility
• Can’t get out due to bad weather. Remember that medical staff are also affected by snow, ice or bad weather
• Timed visits between hairdressing and shopping appointments. Patients who are clearly mobile are taking doctors and nurses away from patients with greater need
• Feeling well, but need a check over to make sure everything is all right. Our priority is seeing those patients who are unwell.
• Other help may be more appropriate – for example, if you think you are having a heart attack or a stroke, please ring 999.

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Where home visits are appropriate and worthwhile

• Terminally ill patients: we have no problems seeing those who are at most clinical need
• Truly bedbound patients: we have no problems seeing those who are confined to bed
• So poorly, the patient would be harmed if moved: we have no problems seeing those who are at most clinical need.

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If you think you may need a home visit

If you are poorly and think you need an urgent same day visit, please call between 8:30am and 10:30am on the day.

• If you are mobile (own legs, using walking aids, wheelchair or scooter), we kindly ask that you see us in the surgery
• The triage nurse or doctor will always consider your request and ensure you are seen by the most appropriate health care professional in the most appropriate location
• An Emergency Hospital admission may be organised for the patient via the ambulance service without first seeing the patient, in cases where their medical condition make that course of action appropriate.

If we visit you at home and feel that your request was inappropriate, we may inform you so that you use our services more appropriately in the future. Please do not be offended, as we have a duty to use our resources effectively for the safety and benefit of all patients.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Appropriate	Not appropriate
Bedbound	No transport or money
Terminally ill	Children, young people and anyone who is mobile
Would come to serious harm if moved	Social reasons or for convenience

GPs do not provide an occupational health service as part of their NHS responsibility nor can they provide this service to you even if you are willing to pay for it.

Under Health and Safety Regulations, your employer or University/College has a duty to provide a safe working environment, and should provide this vaccination.

GPs are not obliged to provide the hepatitis B vaccine on the NHS if you’re not thought to be at risk.

We advise you to contact your employer or University/College and refer them to this page on our website. They will be able to make arrangements with an occupational health provider for the provision of any immunisation which you may require following an appropriate assessment.