Noticeboard

April 2020

Since 6th April we have changed our dispensary opening hours.

Medication can now be collected between 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm Monday to Friday.

When ordering your repeat medication please allow 5 working days for the team to process your request. With current pressures on the supply chain some medications are taking longer to get to us. We don't want you to come out on a wasted trip and our team are working as hard as they can!

Please continue to order in good time by either using Systmonline or by direct email freshwell.dispensary@nhs.net

We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

20th March 2020

Our dispensary is open as normal. Please do not phone us to ask about this - our reception team are currently being overwhelmed with such phone calls. We will let you know via our website if anything changes. Thank you

February 2020

Hospice Outreach Project

Farleigh Hospice are back at Freshwell Health Centre on Wednesday 12th February 2020 offering their drop service in for information, support & advice. Find the team in our waiting room between 9 - 11:30am.

Closed for Staff Training

Don't Forget we are closed from 1pm on Tuesday 11th February for Staff Training. We will reopen at 8am on Wednesday 12th Feb. if you need medical advice whilst we are closed please dial 111 from your telephone and speak with NHS111. If you have a medical emergency please dial 999

January 2020

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Due to upgrading our computers here at the surgery we are experiencing a few teething troubles with out IT systems. Please bear with us whilst we get these rectified as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and support.

Hospice Outreach Project

Farleigh Hospice is returning to Freshwell Health Centre on Wednesday 15th January 2020 offering their drop service in for information, support & advice. Find the team in our waiting room between 9 - 11am.

September 2019

INFORMATION ON LOCAL ROAD CLOSURES

We have contacted the company who have placed road closure signs up in the area. This is due to improvements to broadband connectivity in the area and have been assured that the affected areas will be:-

17/09 à 09/10

Howe Street/Duck End/B1057 to junction of B1053

10/10 à 20/10 (provisional - dates may be subject to change)

Church Hill/B1053 to junction of Vicarage Road

We are sorry if this will affect you however they are outside of our control. Should you need any further advice on these closures please contact the John Henry Group on 01954 288011

September 2019

We are now taking "early bird" bookings for the 2019 Flu Vaccinations campaign for the Over 65s. If you are 65 or over and would like to be vaccinated this year you can call to book an appointment at our clinic on SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER 2019 which starts at 8am. We are currently taking bookings for 8.00am-9.30am andwill release later appointments when they fill up. Call reception on 01371 810 328 to book your place.

June 2019

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Freshwell Low Carb Project, which has been set up to help our patients eat well & lose weight. Please click here for further details.

May 2019

The practice is delighted to welcome Mr David Shedden as the new practice manager. David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge having worked at other practices within Mid Essex for a number of years. This new post follows the resignation of Mrs Linda de Silva who, after 11 years, has stepped down and accepted a part-time position with us from June. We are pleased to keep her local knowledge within our organisation.

February 2019 - Are you interested in a healthy diet and / or losing weight?

The clinicians here at Freshwell are becoming increasingly excited about the low carbohydrate Mediterranean lifestyle revolution. There is emerging strong scientific evidence for the benefits of this way of eating, which can also be a very effective means of losing weight.

Also, we are hoping to host a course to help people diagnosed with prediabetes in the near future.

Please click the link in the right hand column of the homepage on this website for further details.

January 2019 - CHANGE TO STAFF TRAINING CLOSURE TIMES

We will be closed for training between 11am and 3pm on Thursday 31st January. From February 2019 we are changing our training times to be in line with all other practices in Mid Essex. We will be closing at 1pm and will not reopen on the following dates in 2019: Wed 13th Feb, Tue 12th Mar, Tue 14th May, Wed 12th Jun, Thu 11th Jul, Wed 11th Sep, Thu 10th Oct, Tue 12th Nov, Wed 11th Dec. These dates are also listed on our Opening Times page with details of what to do if you need urgent medical attention whilst we are closed.

April 2019 The Creamer Fund Easter raffle will be held here 8-16 April. Any suitable prizes will be gratefully received and can be left with our reception team. CREAMER are looking for Volunteers to assist selling tickets 8-16. Please leave your contact number with reception and their Social Secretary Sylvia Gould will contact you.

Extended Access and Care Navigation Update

The new care navigation system has been working really well so far. We are delighted that a pharmacist and an advanced nurse practitioner have now joined our team. In addition to these in-house appointments, there are also extended access appointments that our patients can access at weekends and in the evenings. These are held in Chelmsford, Halstead and Braintree. Please ask reception if you would prefer to see someone out of our opening hours at another location.

Aug 2018

Care Navigation

The Freshwell Management have recently been finding ways to diversify the clinical team at the surgery to add further expertise and capacity. Since February we have had an MSK specialist and from next month we will have a pharmacist available in-house. We also hope to recruit a nurse practitioner in the near future. On 3rd Sept we will be introducing a national process called Care Navigation. This involves the reception team asking why you are requesting an appointment. This information will be used to ensure that you are directed to the most appropriate clinician or service. When asked, please give a brief reason eg knee pain or medication review. Please be assured that all staff at Freshwell sign a confidentiality agreement and understand the importance of keeping your information safe and secure.

July 2018

Your Data Matters to the NHS

Information about your health and care helps the NHS to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments.

Since May 2018, the strict rules about how this data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.

To find out more visit: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 303 5678

If you have already opted out of data sharing you will NOT need to opt out again.

May 2018

With the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) coming into effect from 25^th May 2018 we have been busy updating our policies to reflect the increased security surrounding your data. As part of our on-going commitment to data security you can now read and download our privacy notice along with our information leaflet on our website under further information or click here

http://www.freshwell.co.uk/info.aspx?p=7

April 2018

NHS England have advised the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group that they must encourage all member practices to reduce the money spent on prescribing OTC (Over the Counter) medicines.

In the first instance, we will no longer be prescribing the following medicines to patients aged 18 year and over: cetirizine & loratadine tablets, sodium cromoglicate eye drops, beclometasone (beconase) or fluticasone (flixonase) nasal sprays. You will need to buy these from a chemist in future.

Click here for further information http://www.freshwell.co.uk/info.aspx?p=6

February 2018

When you book an appointment, please let the receptionist know a brief reason why you need to see a clinician. This will allow them to book you in with the most appropriate person. Thanks to CREAMER funding, we now have a Orthopaedic Specialist Practitioner working here twice a week. He is able to give advice regarding musculoskeletal injuries. You can book to see him directly without a referral from one of our doctors.

January 2018

Think #3beforeGP

The Royal College of General Practitioners is currently running a campaign asking everyone to help alleviate the pressure on GP Practices across the UK. It simply asks you to consider....

Before making a GP appointment, can I?

1) self-care

2) use NHS Choices or a similar reputable UK resource

3) seek advice from a pharmacist

December 2017

To improve communication we are introducing a new FREE text message appointment booking confirmation and reminder service for all patients aged 18yrs and over. If you would like to be included in this service please make sure we have your current mobile number.

If we already have your mobile phone number you will receive a text messaging asking if you would like to opt in/out of this service. If you choose to opt out this can be done by a simple return of text, but you can always opt in at a later date if you change your mind.

If you remain opted in you will start to receive text messages to confirm your appointment giving you the option to cancel your appointment directly by return of text.

Our plan is to expand this service to allow us to inform you if a clinic has been cancelled, the flu jabs are now available or if the Doctor would like you to book an appointment to discuss recent test results.

Please help us to keep your records up to date by informing us on any changes to your mobile telephone numbers to ensure you continue to be included in this text messaging service.

October 2017

Our children's flu vaccines have now arrived. Children who were 2 or 3 on 31st August 2017 are eligible. Please ring for an appointment if you would like your child vaccinated. Primary school aged children will be vaccinated at school.

We have now installed hearing loops at both the reception and dispensary counters. We would like to thank The CREAMER Fund for financing this important improvement to our practice for patients who are hard of hearing. We have added signs to each counter to help them know where to stand for the best reception. There is also a portable device available for use in the consultation rooms. Please ask at reception if you would like this to be made available when seeing a doctor or nurse. the portable device can be used without a hearing aid if necessary.

September 2017

We are now taking bookings for our flu clinic on Saturday 7th October. Eligible ADULT patients (over 65s, pregnant women, carers, patients with certain chronic diseases, immunosuppressed and obese patients) should phone reception to book. Further information relating to flu vaccinations for children will follow shortly.

August 2017

Our Summer 2017 Newsletter is now on the website and available to download. Head over to the newsletters page to find what has been happening behind the scenes at Freshwell Health Centre.

4th July 2017

Building works are currently underway at the surgery. Because we are having a new reception counter fitted the main entrance is not in use. Please follow the signs to enter at the rear of the building. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

June 2017

Please note that due to a technical error on the website previous news items have been lost.

Welcome to Freshwell Health Centre

Welcome to the Freshford Practice. We are a seven doctor dispensing practice providing medical services to about 7,000 patients living in the mainly rural area surrounded by the conurbations of Braintree, Great Dunmow and Haverhill.

We are based in the Freshwell Health Centre situated in the village of Finchingfield and have had a longstanding close relationship with our local community. We are lucky to be supported by the community through the C.R.E.A.M.E.R. Fund. This medical practice endeavours to provide the best services to our patients as close to the community as possible.

The Freshwell Health Centre confidentially records telephone calls for Medico-Legal and Quality Purposes.

CORONAVIRUS

Our current standard patient guidance is as follows:

CLOSED TO COVID-19

OPEN TO HELP YOU

Thank you for the wonderful round of applause we heard ringing out through the villages on Thursday evenings. We were all moved by both your support for the NHS and for the sense of community pride you are all showing. We are here for you and really appreciate the many offers of help we are getting from our patients. Together we will get through this - keep washing hands, keep 2 metres apart, and keep checking up on friends, neighbours and people who may be alone.

To find out more about testing for coronavirus click here

Testing for coronavirus

To protect patients and staff our doors are now closed to limit entry to the building.

If you have an appointment, please knock when you get here and we will come to let you in.

The DISPENSARY is open FOR MEDICATION COLLECTIONS from 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm If you need to order a prescription, please leave a request in the milk jug in the lobby, post to the surgery, request using SystmOnline or email freshwell.dispensary@nhs.net

If you need to collect a prescription, please queue at the dispensary window outside the front door where we will assist you.

For all other enquiries please go home and phone 01371 810 328 or use our eConsult service www.freshwell.co.uk

PLEASE ALLOW 5 DAYS FOR DISPENSARY TO PREPARE YOUR PRESCRIPTION. THIS IS DUE TO HEAVY DEMAND.

If you are coming to the surgery to pick up a prescription, can you pick them up for other people at the same time to reduce numbers of people coming through the doors?

If you are isolating at home and need someone to help you or if you are an NHS responder volunteer, click here for more information:

https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/nhs-volunteer-responders-portal

If you are caring for somebody who is living with dementia or who are affected by dementia click here to read about how you can get help from Dementia Support Workers

For coronavirus advice visit https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

Isolation Note available for patients

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

Use this service if you have to stay at home because of coronavirus and need a note for your employer. If you require a medical certificate for absence from work related to the Covid-19 pandemic then you can download one here:
Covid 19 absence letter

We are working with CREAMER FUND and community groups to set up a system to to get prescriptions to isolated patients. More details to follow.

COVID19 - if you wish to register with us could you download the forms below and post them or email us them with photopcopies of ID to freshwell.administration@nhs.net

GMS1 Form

New Patient Questionnaire (Adults)

To find out more about your Summary Care Record, click here

New Patient Questionnaire (under 16s)

Communications and Consent Form

If you would like online access use this form: Online Access Request Form

To find out more about your Summary Care Record, click here

Please also read this information on Proof of Address and the ID we require: New Patient ID Check

We would prefer you not to come in for the time being to register as it will expose you and us to the risk of contracting coronavirus.

Mid Essex residents who need to see a GP or nurse on a weekday evening, Saturday or Sunday can now book an appointment by calling 01245 398055. Appointments are available as follows:

Monday to Friday, 6.30pm to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 8pm

and consultations will usually take place via telephone or video call. If a face-to-face appointment is required, it will be at North Chelmsford Health Centre, Sainsbury's, 2 White Hart Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 5EF.

If you are 70 or older or have pre-existing health conditions that mean you are eligible for flu jabs then you could be at a higher risk of serious complications from coronavirus. You should follow Government advice and stay at home. Please arrange for family, neighbours and friends or local community groups to deliver the food and medicines you need. If you do not have this support available please register with the Essex Welfare Service at www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk/support-request or call 0300 303 9988

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Over recent weeks Essex County Council have been working with colleagues from across Greater Essex to put together a series of resources that can be used to support people in our communities who are bereaved. It is important that family, friends and communities seeking support at this time are able to talk to somebody they trust, who will listen, empathise and point them to professional advice where necessary. Click here for more details:

https://www.essex.gov.uk/coronavirus-and-faith/bereavement-support

Immunisations During Covid 19 Outbreak

During the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak there are lots of things that parents are having to think about.

Immunisations protect children from many serious illnesses. To make sure that your child is properly protected it is important that they still get their immunisations on time where possible. Health experts strongly advise that you make and keep your children’s immunisation appointments as planned. The same advice applies to teenagers who are due their routine adolescent immunisations

Our practice is now part of My Care Record - supporting the delivery of joined-up care. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, additional measures are being put in place to help health and care providers to deliver effective care. This includes how the information from your care records is used. My Care Record is an approach to improving care by joining up health and care information. Wherever possible, health and care professionals will be able to access care records from other services if it is needed to deliver care for individuals with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms. For example, we are working to make sure doctors, nurses and co-ordination staff at places you may receive advice or treatment can see important information from your GP record. This will include health and care professionals at neighbouring GP practices, NHS 111 and regional centres for the treatment of critically ill patients including the NHS Nightingale Hospital in London. This will make it easier and faster for them to deliver effective care for you if it is needed. Please see the My Care Record website for more information including the Privacy Notice to support this work.

Latest update 14.05.2020 14:42

SATURDAYS AND OTHER NEWS

From 2nd January 2020 our opening times are changing.

The extended hours pre-bookable appointments that we currently offer on Saturdays will move to a more commuter-friendly 7.00am to 8.00am every Monday and Thursday. We will no longer be open on Saturday mornings.

Evening and weekend GP and nurse appointments will still be available through our local network at Braintree, Halstead and North Chelmsford.

These changes are being introduced as part of our work with the local Primary Care Networks. As well as offering appointments on two early mornings a week, we also have access to evening and weekend appointments at other sites in Mid Essex. A Social Prescriber has been recruited in the locality who will be in Finchingfield one day a week to help patients, carers and families with housing issues, benefits advice, dementia and elderly social issues advice and carers advice. This will be useful to many of our patients who may rely on their GP for such help but would derive more benefit from a trained advisor.

As a practice we are also making improvements to our appointment system from January in the way that we look after patients who call us asking for appointments at times of high demand. We will be aiming to make our GP phone calls more responsive. We will also be introducing an eConsult service where patients can request advice online 24/7 and be assessed and replied to during our regular hours. More details will follow soon.

SOCIAL PRESCRIBER

Our new Social Prescriber will soon start working in surgery on Friday mornings. Chelsea Warden can help patients who could benefit from non-medical intervention to improve their general health and wellbeing.

She can help you if you are:

- feeling lonely and isolated

- having an unhealthy lifestyle, e.g. Smoking, overweight

- dealing with a bereavement

- are being discharged from hospital

- needing support with living independently

- needing support with filling in forms/benefits

- need simple home adaptions are or care alarm

- need improving dealing with LTC

- need improving self-esteem and confidence

She will identify what support is needed and help with accessing that support. For example a befriending group, home risk assessment for falls prevention and equipment, carers support, IAPT and local community groups.

You can book an appointment through reception from 4th December 2019.

NEW DEMENTIA CLINIC

We are hosting a new dementia clinic on the last Tuesday of the month. Our first one is Tuesday 26th November. To find out more visit our Dementia page here To book an appointment call reception on 01371 810 328

Your surgery is the 10th Best in England

The Daily Mirror have looked at the National GP patient survey and found that The Freshwell Health Centre is in the Top 10 surgeries in England based on patient experience. The team here are very pleased to have that recognition. We are also grateful to all the help and support we get from the CREAMER fund. The input they give to the surgery is invaluable and does help us offer a service that meets the needs of our patient population. Read the article here: Top 10 Surgery Thank you too to the patients who filled in the survey and gave feedback to the NHS.

20th June 2019: We are very excited to announce the launch of the Freshwell Low Carb Project, which has been set up to help our patients eat well & lose weight. Please see www.lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk for further details.

For appointments and repeat prescriptions please click the SYSTMONLINE word below. Please note that appointments for Orthopaedic Specialist are not available on line - please phone reception to book.

See the source image

You can now pre book appointments to see a GP or Practice Nurse when we our surgery is closed. For more information on the NHSE Extended Access Scheme please click here http://www.freshwell.co.uk/opening-times.aspx

(Site updated 21/05/2020)