We are constantly reviewing our appointment system to enable a balance of urgent, same day, and pre-book able appointments with a nurse or GP. As a result of recent research we have identified that there has been a significant increase in the number of patients who are not attending for appointments. Patients' appointments are now book able up to 4 weeks in advance. Instead of 6 weeks in advance. We shall monitor the impact of this and levels of DNA over the next few months.

During August and September and as direct response to patients' suggestions and feedback we are trialling a range of access and appointment options for patients. In mid September we shall be installing a new telephone system to support enquiries being managed more effectively.

Your GP, your choice, your say

You can choose which hospital to go to, so why shouldn't you be able to choose your GP Practice?

The NHS constitution gives you the right to choose your GP practice, but for most people this choice is currently limited to a practice near where you live. So if you could register anywhere what would you do?

The NHS is carrying out a consultation on giving people more choice - so you could choose a GP practice which best suits your needs. To find out more and have your say on the plans, visit www.gpchoice.dh.gov.uk.

Download GP Choices leaflet.

Patients who Do Not Attend (DNA) for appointments

There have been a total of 244 DNA's this year.  

DNA = patients failed to attend for their appointments without letting us know in advance.


Please advise us if you are unable to attend an appointment.

244 appointments could equate to an additional 2 GP surgeries each week.

Enable us to give another patient the opportunity to be seen.

Thank you for your co-operation.

One Step Closer - Practice exchanges contracts with Charles Church for purchase of the Chew Stoke site.

The practice is delighted to announce that we are one step closer to a purpose built surgery. The partners have finally exchanged contracts with Charles Church on the purchase of the land at the Chew Stoke Site. This is a significant milestone for the surgery, yet we realise that some of the most difficult challenges still lie ahead. A series of patient participation groups will be scheduled over the coming year to work closely with the community on matters important to them, one of which will undoubtedly be the new surgery.

New ‘fit note’   - to help you back to work after illness

A new ‘fit note’ is going to be introduced in place of the doctor’s sick note on 6 April 2010 if Parliament approves the changes. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.   Read More Here

PRACTICE NURSE

Friendly rural surgery in the beautiful Chew Valley seeks Practice Nurse.
We are looking for a Practice Nurse to join our existing team to bring the best healthcare to our patients.
Hours and salary negotiable.

For an application form and job description please call on 01275 332420 or email sally.orchard@gp-L81072.nhs.uk

OUR WEBSITE - http://www.chewmedicalpractice.co.uk

The information on our web site is regularly updated in line with changes and developments at the practice.

The web site address has changed recently to http://www.chewmedicalpractice.co.uk.

Please add this new address to your "favourites/ bookmarks" and use it now for accessing the web site. Whilst the old address is still usable at the moment it will be withdrawn in 2010. 

Now available to all children aged 5 years and under.

If you would like to have your child vaccinated, book an appointment with reception.

SURGERY PREMISES AND NEW BUILDING 

Plans for the new doctors' surgery on the disused Radford's site at Chew Stoke are at last beginning to take shape.

The surgery has been looking for a new home ever since it became clear that further expansion of the current building in Madam's Paddock was impossible and that problems with space and access had become insurmountable.

Despite a lengthy search over several years for a suitable site nearer the current location, none has become available and it was felt by both planners and doctors that the Radford's site, with its central valley location, offered the best opportunity to provide the high quality premises necessary to deliver the standard of care our patients deserve.

The building will be three times the size of the current surgery and built to satisfy sustainability requirements. There will be more than fifty parking spaces and the entrance will be away from busy roads. It is also intended that the size of the building will enable allied health care providers to work there with us.

It's an exciting project and we look forward to the support of our patients in this move. We recognise that for some people our relocation away from central Chew Magna may be inconvenient, but we feel confident that we can offer a better service for all of our patients from a modern purpose built health centre of appropriate size to the population that we serve.

Your Views

We are keen to hear your views on the project, and to facilitate this, we have organised a Patient Participation meeting on Tuesday 10th November, starting at 6:30pm, in the Baptist Hall, Chew Magna. You can also email us using the contact us page of the website or write to The Practice Manager, Chew Medical Practice, Madam's Paddock, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8PP.

Commuter Clinics

In response to Patients survey results and Government guidelines Chew Medical Practice has introduced an extended service in the form of COMMUTER CLINICS. These clinics are aimed at patients who find it difficult to access a surgery during normal working hours.

From 5th July 2008 we will be open for PRE-BOOKED appointments on Wednesday evenings (6pm - 7:30pm) and Saturday mornings (9am - 12pm).
No "on day" appointments are available in these clinics.

The reception will be open during these times for you to register your arrival, the collection of prescriptions and making (in person) future appointments. The Surgery telephone lines will not be open.

Please note these clinics are NOT for emergencies. In case of an emergency you will still need to contact the OUT OF HOURS SERVICE on 01980 626226.

THE CARE NETWORK

The Care Network is the local carers centre for Bath and North East Somerset.

We can help you find the services you need, the benefits you are entitled to and the information you want.

What do we provide?

• A dedicated Carers Line 01761 431389 (9-11am Monday to Friday, 1- 3pm, Monday to Thursday).
• Home visit from a Carers Support Worker
• Regular quarterly newsletters with news, views and ideas
• Advice and support with Carers Assessments, care planning and hospital discharge meetings
• Information, advice and support about taking a break
• Signposting to other organisations and services
• Opportunities to meet with other Carers
• A voice in developing local services

For more information, support or advice contact us at:

The Care Network
1 Riverside Cottages, Radstock, Bath BA3 3PS

Office Line: 01761 431388 Carers Line: 01761 431389

Email: carerssupport@thecarenetwork.co.uk

Website: www.thecarenetwork.co.uk

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Checking in for appointments

During April, patients into the practice will notice a few changes in the waiting room, including a green patient information folder, containing details of the services we offer, and support networks across Bristol and Bath.

In addition to this, the practice is installing an Automated Patient Check in System. This means that if you are attending to see a GP or nurse, rather than waiting for a receptionist to become free, patients are able to log in on a dedicated screen to advise the doctor that you have arrived. It is a very simple and safe system offering patients the choice of how to let us know that you have arrived for your appointment. From late 2008, patients will also be able to re-order medication via the same automated system.

Also new for the practice in April will be the installation of Life-line television. Life-line TV is supported by the Department of Health and the Primary Care Trust and is a television service which aims to deliver local and national health related information for patients, their families and carers.

ONLINE SERVICES

We are now offering online appointment booking and repeat medication ordering.  Please click here for more information on how to register for this service.