Change to GP Practice services communications toolkit

December 2021

 Dear Patients,

GP surgeries across the country have been asked to focus on delivering the Government’s target of offering a COVID-19 booster vaccine to everyone aged 18+ before the end of December.

This is due to the rapid rising in the number of infections of the new coronavirus variant called Omicron.  As a result the UK has moved to COVID alert level 4 – which is the second highest level.

In order for the NHS to deliver the vaccination target, NHS England and Improvement has requested all Practices stop routine and non-urgent care so that staff can support delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Practices are following guidance that was circulated by the Royal College of General Practitioners and British Medical Association earlier in the pandemic.

We understand this will cause considerable frustration to our patients, and we want to reassure you, that we are still open and here for you for your urgent healthcare needs.

All critical appointments relating to possible cancer, high risk or vulnerable people living with long term conditions or urgent and emergency care will be dealt with.

However, much like other Practices across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we will have to make some changes.

Online consultations

In order to support the booster vaccination programme we have made the difficult decision to temporarily restrict and possibly stop our online consultations (e-Consult) function.

If you need a repeat prescription then please request medication online if you are registered for online access or put a request in to the surgery in writing.

For all other enquiries please phone 01243 378812.

Routine appointments

All routine appointments will be cancelled until January. If your symptoms have worsened and are now urgent, please contact the surgery on 01243 378812

To help you see if your concern is urgent or non-urgent, we have put together the following guidance:

If you think you have a potential cancer symptom, then please call us.

Symptoms include:

• Unexpected weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Blood in urine
• Breathlessness or coughing up blood
• Change in bowel habit to looser or more frequent stool
• Sudden worrying skin changes

Time critical emergencies cannot wait and if you have any of the following then please call 999 immediately:

• Severe chest pain or breathlessness
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Symptoms of stroke – one sided weakness, speech or visual problems
• Mental health crisis with the risk of harm to self
• Severe new onset headaches
• Non-blanching rashes
• Severe abdominal pain
• Children with breathing difficulties
• Sudden changes in vision

 We understand that sometimes it can be hard to define what is urgent. If you are worried please call the surgery and we will help you decide if you need to be seen or the best course of action. We are experiencing a high volume of calls so please be patient while we work hard to get to you as quickly as possible.

 If you need urgent attention on the day please phone as early in the day as possible, this allows for the doctor to book a time to see you if necessary.

For all appointment requests please call

Morning:            0800 – 1030

Afternoon:          1300 and 1430.

For all other routine enquiries including test results please call outside of these hours to keep the phone lines clear.

To book a flu or Covid vaccine appointment, please phone after 3pm if possible when the phone lines are generally quieter.

Thank you.

Emsworth Medical Practice Team.