Hello all.

We are in contact with quite a few patients now who are presenting to us with 'viral' symptoms: sore throats and earaches most commonly.  If you have these symptoms and you also happen to have a cough, a high temperature (37.8c or more) or altered smell or taste then you still have to assume you might have COVID. 

You need to follow the 'blue advice' below: Self isolate and arrange a formal lab based PCR test. The home lateral flow tests you have are not good enough sadly.

You can still call us and if we need to, we will see you but you don't need to wait to contact us before arranging the PCR test and the earlier you get the test the less time you will have to self isolate.

Thank you for working with us on this.

All the team at MSHC

NHS Digital has sent a Data Provision Notice to all GP practices advising them of the imminent roll out of the General Practice Data for Planning and Research.  There is a legal requirement for the practices to comply with the DPN.

We will soon be required to supply your personal and confidential medical information to NHS Digital. This information will be taken from the practice in a form that can identify you. The practice has NO choice but to allow NHS Digital to extract this information. However, individual patients can instruct their practice to stop the transfer of their data. For more information on the reasons for this data extract and how to opt out of sending your confidential information please click on the link below for further information.

General Practice Data for Planning and Research: NHS Digital Transparency Notice - NHS Digital

Type 1 opt-out: this means NHS Digital will not collect data from GP practices where the patient has registered a Type 1 opt out.  In order for no data to be extracted, the opt out must be registered before 23rd June 2021.  If a type 1 Opt-out is registered after that date, no extraction will occur from the date but NHS Digital will still hold data extracted before the opt-out is required. 

If you want to opt-out, please fill in the form below and return it to the Practice before 20th June to unable us to code your opt-out request on your notes.

Type1 Opt-out form (1).docx

Hello

We are receiving lots of calls from patients asking us about their referrals. Once we send a referral off to the hospital or other provider we do not get notified of when the appointment will be and do not have any control over these bookings. If you want to find out how long the wait will be or other queries please contact the provider directly on the numbers attached to the link below.

https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/_common/getdocument/?id=99831

We know it is unsettling and difficult to not know when your appointment will be but we don't have any influence over appointments and don't have any special access to finding out. All we can do is ring the same numbers you can.

We are working with the local health authority (West Sussex CCG) to find ways to get you more information and ideally better access to clinics and appointments.

Thanks for your understanding.

MSHC.

Dear all,

You may by now have seen the welcome news that General Practice has been told that it can soon open its doors again and offer routine face to face appointments. 

We received this letter last night, here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/B0497-GP-access-letter-May-2021-FINAL.pdf

To summarise: our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) has not yet been changed by the NHS leadership team so for now we will be following the existing SOP which is still in power.

We will transfer to the new ways of working as soon as practicable, but until then we will be offering triage by phone first for all medical queries.

We plan to offer patients a choice of appointment type - many people prefer a telephone call consultation - whilst also ensuring we keep all our patients and staff safe.

We will update our website when the SOP changes and look forward to working in a more traditional way.

See you soon!

The partners at MSHC

If you need to book an appointment with a GP you will be given a phone call appointment initially where a GP will assess your symptoms over the phone and if you need a face to face appointment they will arrange a time for you to come in.

We are receiving large volumes of calls every day and are trying to answer them as quickly as possible. We have a designated phone room based in Hurstpierpoint which takes calls for all of our sites, where we have 6-8 staff answering your calls from 8.30-6pm, our staff will ask you for some information regarding what the appointment is for in order to be able to make your appointment with the right clinician, if you do not wish to share this you can let them know it is private.

If you are on hold when you call us please be patient and wait while we try to answer your call.

There are alternate ways to contact us

• Book online via our website https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/online-services
• Send in an econsultation request https://midsussexhealthcare.webgp.com/
• Use the NHS app https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/
• Download the LIVI app and access video consultation with a NHS GP. https://www.livi.co.uk/
• If your query is about Covid 19 vaccination appointments you can contact us on our designated phone line   01273 837981  This line is answered between 8:30-18:00 however there is a delay due to demand.  If there is noone answering the phone, the answerphone will kick in and we will call patients back.

Please click here to see the guidance

Patient Online Smartphone Apps

Please see links below to SystmOnline for patients smartphones and tablets (one for Apple and one for Android).

Apple iPhones and iPads: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/developer/tpp/id711398513

For Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=px.app.systmonline&hl=en_GB

Logging into Systm Online for the first time

You should have been given a username and temporary password by the receptionist after they have activated your account. You will need to log in to your new account before midnight in order to set a new password.

In order to log into your account you will need to go to the web address on your letter and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the logo.

You will then be prompted to enter your username and password and should then be directed to update your password.

Should you have any problems logging in or forget your password at any time please bring photo ID to the reception desk and ask for a password reset.

As a practice we have elected to not offer NHS Health Checks for 40-74 year olds because of the lack of evidence of benefit, and the risks of detecting 'illness' that would not cause any harm. The recent Cochrane review of 14 trials (with 182,880 participants) demonstrates this clearly, and includes an excellent plain language summary.

Furthermore, we believe this to be a waste of public resources, not targeting the population who stand to benefit the most. Please read the Cochrane review link above for an explanation of the science behind this decision.