Practice News

CARE NAVIGATION / SIGNPOSTING

Ensuring patients receive the right support is key to delivering well-coordinated, patient-centred care. Our Receptionists are trained to direct your call appropriately, helping you see the most suitable Clinician for your needs. To do this effectively, they may ask about the reason for your call and the nature of your appointment request.

Active signposting helps patients access the right service from their first point of contact, often through the Receptionist. They act as care navigators, ensuring you are booked with the most appropriate professional from the start. In addition, websites and apps can offer self-help resources and further guidance on available services.

For example, the Receptionist may refer you directly to:

• First Contact Practitioner (FCP) – An FCP is a healthcare professional based at the GP surgery who specialises in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. You can book directly with an FCP without needing a GP referral if you have a new MSK issue and are not already under the care of a hospital specialist for the same condition. Please speak to the Receptionist for more information.

• Pharmacy First – This new scheme allows local pharmacies to provide treatment for certain conditions using prescription-only medications, without the need to visit a GP. Click here for more details.

• Social Prescribing - Health is influenced by more than just physical conditions. Factors such as stress, unemployment, financial difficulties, loneliness, lack of early childhood support, unstable housing, and discrimination can impact between 30-55% of health outcomes. To address these wider influences, the NHS has introduced social prescribing - a more holistic and integrated approach to healthcare. Social prescribers work closely with GP practices to help patients access support beyond traditional medical care. They connect individuals to local groups, activities, and services that can address social, emotional, and practical challenges affecting their health and wellbeing. Acting as a link between your GP and community resources, they help ensure you get the right support. Anyone in your GP practice team may suggest a referral to a social prescriber. If referred, you’ll have an appointment to discuss your situation, explore your needs, and find out what support is available. Whether you're dealing with financial concerns, loneliness, education, discrimination, housing issues, or other non-medical challenges, a social prescriber can guide you toward the right services. Whatever you're going through, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Appointment System UPDATES

FROM THE 1^ST MARCH WE WILL NO LONGER BE FOLLOWING OUR MEDICAL TRIAGE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.

Please call the practice for an urgent on the day appointment at 8:30am on 01623 551015.

We will still have routine appointments available, if your medical problem is not urgent. Please contact reception to book, or book via SystmOnline.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Severn Trent Big Difference Scheme

You could get up to 70% off the average Severn Trent bill.

The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £22,010.

Households with child dependants may be eligible for an additional income allowance in excess of this amount.

The Scheme will assess your household income when you apply, and that assessment will determine how big a reduction you’re eligible for.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a brand new payment plan. The Big Difference Scheme will design a payment plan especially for you which will include payments towards any outstanding debt on your account.

The scheme runs for 12 months at a time. You’ll have to apply again at the end of each year-long period.

Click here for more information

Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer screening is a test you do at home that checks for signs of bowel cancer. It’s offered to everyone aged 54 to 74.

If you’re aged 54 to 74 and registered with a GP, you’ll automatically get a bowel cancer screening home test kit (FIT kit) through the post every 2 years.

If you’re aged 75 or over, you can ask for a home test kit every 2 years by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

If you do not have a permanent home address, you can ask your GP surgery for your test kit to be sent to the GP surgery or to another address.

If you think you’re eligible for bowel cancer screening but you’ve not been invited, or had your test kit, call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

It’s your choice if you want to have bowel cancer screening. Screening does not stop you getting bowel cancer, but it is the best way to find cancer at an early stage.

If you do not want to be invited for screening, call the bowel cancer screening helpline to be

Carers Drop In Clinic

Proxy Application

Do you need help managing your healthcare? 

If you're both patients at our practice, your trusted person can apply to have access to online GP services on your behalf. 

Invite your trusted person to find out more about applying for access to another patient's GP services on the NHS website.  

This service is designed and run by the NHS, so your personal information is safe. 

Sun & Safety Patient Event 1st July 2023 9.30-11.30am

King's Medical Centre is holding an event to give patients the opportunity to have easier access to advice and help they may need out of normal surgery times. Patients can walk in with no appointment needed.

The event, named Sun and Safety, will provide support and advice on hay fever, skin care, sun exposure and mole checks with the GP. The nursing team will be providing advice on travel, smoking and long term conditions alongside offering blood pressure and weight checks.

Caroline, Digital and Social Inclusion Officer will be available to discuss the NHS App and help set patients up and answer any queries. 

Patients will be able to chat to members of the team including new GP Partner Dr Gillani and Practice Manager Rebecca Brooks. Updates on the practice will be provided including discussing the new appointment system, NHS England Asthma Pilot and other work happening behind the scenes. 

Refreshments and snacks will be available. 

Digital Asthma Pilot

AccuRx Patient Triage

From 5^th June 2023, we will be promoting the use of AccuRx Patient Triage. This is an online consultation tool that allows patients to submit details about their medical problem or admin query directly to the practice. The query will be reviewed by a clinician and advice, or an appointment will be booked as appropriate.

The appointment booking lines will remain open at 8.30am. Reception staff have been trained to triage your request following the same process as above.

These changes should lead to easier access to appointments.

We kindly request your patience whilst we try to improve our services for you

https://florey.accurx.com/p/C84061

EMAS Strike

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS is one of a number of areas across the country that is affected by industrial action in the coming weeks. GMB and Unite trade unions at East Midlands Ambulance Service have confirmed that they intend to take industrial action on Monday, 20 to 21 February. However, this does not include practice staff, so please note that our surgery is open as usual.

Please attend your appointment as normal unless you are contacted and told otherwise. We may experience a higher volume of calls and contact from patients making enquiries than usual during these dates, please bear with us and be patient during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience, please be kind to our colleagues when you speak to them.

Here are some ways you can help the NHS:

1. Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.
2. If you are unsure where you should go, NHS 111 can help – search online for “NHS 111” or dial 111 from any phone. This will make sure you are seen in the right place and by the right person.
3. Consider using Urgent Treatment Centres. They can treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-life-threatening conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at:

• Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500
• Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE
• Ilkeston Community Hospital – is open 8am – 8pm. It can be found on Heanor Road , Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8LN. You can book into this service via 111. For other non-urgent cases, when you need medical advice and it’s not an emergency, please speak to your GP practice or a pharmacist.

4. Use the NHS App for access to a wide range of services and information, such as accessing medical records, booking and managing appointments, reviewing medication and ordering prescriptions as well as checking symptoms.
5. Members of the public can also help ease pressures by using their local pharmacy. Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments.
6. Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 3779 – the helpline is open 24 hours a day.

Free cycle maintenance sessions

The practice is working with TravelChoice again to provide free cycle maintenance sessions

Important information about Strep A and Scarlet Fever

For important information about Strep A and Scarlet Fever, please visit: 

Strep A & Scarlet Fever - YouTube

We know that parents may be concerned regarding Group A streptococcus (Step A). It is always concerning when a child is unwell. Strep A infections cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills, and muscle aches. More information can be found on the NHS website here - Strep A - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Symptoms of a strep A infection that you should look out for include:
- Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
- sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis)
- a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever)
- scabs and sores (impetigo)
- pain and swelling (cellulitis)
- severe muscle aches
- nausea and vomiting.

Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics. But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS).

You should get an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- your child is unwell and is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has fewer wet nappies than usual or is peeing less than usual, or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
- your child is very tired or irritable.

It is important to trust your instincts if your child is unwell. Get medical help if you think you need it.

Check symptoms on 111 online (for children aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5)

You should call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

You can find your nearest A&E here.

Ashfield Warm Hubs

Whether you are looking to make new friends, catch up with old friends, do a bit of exercise or just enjoy a hot drink and read a book in one of their cafes, then Everyone Active Centres are exactly what you've been looking for. There will be an activity each week along with a free hot drink and a biscuit.

• Meet up with friends
• Make new friends
• Stay active
• Enjoy a hot drink
• Play some board games
• Build a puzzle

Sessions will run

Mondays - Kirkby Leisure Centre 10.30-12noon

Tuesdays - Hucknall Leisure Centre 1.30-3pm

Wednesdays - Lammas Leisure Centre 1.30-3pm

Accessing Help

My Planned Care

Are you waiting for a hospital appointment, operation, or treatment?  Make sure you visit My Planned Care.

My Planned Care Digital Platform offers the latest information and support for people waiting for hospital procedures and treatments.

The website is updated weekly and is easy-to-use and open access.

Visit the website to instantly find out the latest information without having to call the GP practice.

My Planned Care NHS

LMC Awards

Congratulations to Jenny, our Healthcare Assistant, who won the Compassionate Care Award at the LMC Awards 2022. 

Carer-Friendly Practice

The practice has been awarded the NCA carers friendly quality mark for 2022 in celebration of our support for unpaid carers. This is something we are incredibly proud of, as our Carer's Champions work hard to provide support to our unpaid carers.

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King's Medical Centre

Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice

The practice is now an accredited Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Practice. This enables to practice to deliver the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the Armed Forces. 

Safe Surgery

The practice is proud to be a registered Safe Surgery for everyone in our community. In recognition of the barriers to healthcare access faced by people in vulnerable circumstances, including migrants, we commit to protecting the human right to health. We will take steps to ensure that everyone in our community may fulfil their entitlement to quality healthcare. 

We will ensure that a lack of identification or proof of address, immigration status or language do not prevent patient registration.