TUESDAY 14th JUNE
The Surgery will be closed today for staff training from 1pm and re-open on Wednesday 15th June at 8am. In the event of a medical emergency please call 111. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Covid Vaccination Clinics
ALL COVID VACCINATION CLINICS WILL BE HELD AT:
St. Mary's Church Hall, 1 London Road, Swanley, BR8 7AQ
Please note that the postcode is not accurate. The hall is behind St Mary's Church on the corner opposite Aldi/Asda.
For telephone queries: 07456 434073
Exciting times ahead for the Cedars Surgery and The Oaks Partnership
A large purpose-built health centre housing both the Cedars and Oaks surgeries has been talked about for many years and has now gone through public consultation. Although no concrete dates are known for when works will start; the partners from each surgery feel it would be in the best interests of our respective patient populations that we work more closely together to develop services ahead of the Swanley Hub being built and us being under one roof.
Working together within Swanley and Rural PCN is nothing new. For the last few years, both Cedars and Oaks surgeries have been collaborating with Devon Road and Braeside surgeries to deliver services as a network of practices and employ additional staff within practices such as paramedics and pharmacists. Notably, more recently we have collaborated on offering COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to the wider community.
With the Cedars and Oaks collaborating, being so geographically similar, and now, with the new building in sight, it is sensible to develop aspects of our patient care together. Given the ongoing retirement of clinical staff across the NHS and difficulty in replacing doctors, nurses and ancillary staff, this is also a timely intervention to maintain a medical presence within Swanley town centre.
The current partners will continue at The Oaks but Dr Clayton, Dr Finn and Dr Farrant as salaried GPs and Dr Mufti will work in Partnership with Dr Jones and Dr Giakoumi from the Cedars Surgery.
Both practices plan to continue to operate at their current locations as the Cedars Surgery and the Oaks Partnership, with the same staffing and appointment structures that they have now. We will aim firstly to collaborate on delivering some elements of healthcare to patients, in the same way as we have done for the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Both surgeries are excited to share this news with you and look forward to delivering high-quality patient care from a new building in the years to come. As we near the completion of the Swanley Hub building in a few years, both practices will relocate together and will likely plan to become one larger medical practice housing a merged list of patients. We see this as an exciting opportunity for us to build a secure future for our two practices and medical care in Swanley. It will enable us to manage and navigate the challenges of the NHS and offer the best for our patients with better resources.
To summarise, the currently planned collaboration will not mean changes for patients in the way they interact with us and our staffing, both in terms of the clinical and administrative staff will remain the same. For now, patients and staff will not see changes to the way we operate on a day-to-day basis, but we feel it is important to share this positive news with you, along with our plans for the years to come.
Staff and the respective patient participation groups have been informed of the changes and if there are any questions please do ask. We plan to release a newsletter in the near future that may help to answer common thoughts and queries about our collaboration.
Children over the age of 12 years can be vaccinated with 1st and 2nd doses at the walk-in clinic at St Mary's Church Hall.
Please do not call the practice with general queries about Covid-19 vaccination.
Local teams are vaccinating as many people as quickly as possible, working through general practice, community pharmacies and other NHS teams.
You can book using the national booking service by calling 119 or at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
The national booking service will only show clinics that have appointments available when you visit the site/call 119; but clinics regularly add more dates. For a full list of all vaccination sites in Kent and Medway, visit https://www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus/covid19vaccine
FACE MASKS
Unless you have a valid exemption you are required to wear a face mask when visiting the Surgery. We are unable to provide masks and you will need to bring your own. Please be aware if you are late for your appointment because you have been requested to go and buy a mask you may not be seen.
FACE MASKS
Please be aware that unless you have a valid exemption you will still be required to wear a face mask when visiting the Surgery.
HEXTABLE SURGERY
Hextable Surgery remains open - please call 01322 666001 for appointments, sick notes, queries etc. Please do not go to the surgery unless you have a pre-booked appointment.
NHS APP
For the next order of your repeat prescription please download and use the NHS app. The NHS App has additional functionalities to help you manage interactions with your practice (e.g. view and share your COVID-19 status, order repeat medication, book appointments and access health advice). If you encounter any issues downloading and using the NHS app, please email Kmccg.dgsccg.pod@nhs.net for assistance.“
Get Your Covid19 Travel Passport Easily
- DO NOT contact your GP
- Access via NHS App from May 17th
- Register on NHS App now
- Contact 119 if you need a letter for foreign travel
Quick link: https://t.co/snBSOXxFcp
Full Guide: https://t.co/wuRJJoAK75
Government Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
Telephones
We are aware that it is difficult to get through to the surgery at the moment - this is not a fault of the phone system but rather the volume of people trying to ring in and the number of staff available to answer the phones. If you do need to speak to a receptionist please hold, otherwise use econsult below:
DOCTORLINK
We are no longer using Doctorlink.
GP practices are open and here to help but because of the need to minimise the amount of face to face contact to keep you safe, most appointments in the first instance are carried out over the phone or via video.
In an emergency, for example if you think you might be having a heart attack or stroke, call 999.
If a face to face appointment is needed you will still be seen in person by a GP.
Telephone appointments are not suitable for everyone– if you need a physical examination or blood test,for example. You and your GP can reach a decision on what is best for you.
If you have Coronavirus symptoms you should stay at home for at least 10 days...
...from when your symptoms started and call NHS 111 if your symptoms worsen. You should arrange to take a test by visiting www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 but do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
For more information visit#GPisopen www.rcgp.org.uk
To keep you, other patients and our staff safe everyone must wear a face covering
If there are any reasons why you cannot wear a face covering please speak politely to a member of staff about this.
Abusive behaviour against our staff is not acceptable. We are all in this together.
Appointments
We would like to advise patients that if an appointment is booked on the day which is not urgent it may need to be re-scheduled if more urgent requests come in. To ensure you are not kept waiting please make sure we have your mobile phone number so that we can send you a message.
Telephone Consultations
Over the past few weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of patients who are not answering their phones when they have requested a clinician to call them. This is very frustrating for the clinical staff and has a serious impact on resources.
We would therefore ask you to ensure you keep your phone close by when you have requested a call. Missed calls will not be able to be re-booked on the same day.
Closure of GP walk-in service at White Horse
Patients are advised that the walk-in GP service at White Horse, Northfleet, ended on 30 June 2020. This is the first step towards implementing a linked urgent treatment centre at Gravesham Community Hospital and Darent Valley Hospital, following a public consultation last year, in line with the Government’s Long Term Plan. In taking that decision, it was also agreed at that time that the contract held with Fleet Healthcare to provide the walk-in GP service would not be extended when it expired on 30 June 2020.
Patients who need to urgently see a GP should contact us and we will do our best to offer an on-the-day appointment if clinically needed. You may be asked to visit another local surgery for your appointment. Alternatively, you can call NHS 111 for advice and direction to the nearest available service where appropriate.
The Miinor Injury Unit at Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend, remains open for urgent minor injuries and some minor illnesses. For life-threatening conditions, call 999.
Further information is available on the NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group website.
Following NHS guidelines we are still operating a telephone triage service before inviting patients in to the Practice. We have a mix of clinicians available and you will not necessarily be triaged or seen by a doctor.
FACE MASKS
With immediate effect we will require anyone entering the Surgery to wear a face mask or face covering. 24/06/2020
Help to Care app launched
Help to Care, a new mobile phone app, has been launched to support people who care for others in Kent and Medway. You can download the app by searching for Help to Care in the app store on your Apple device or in Google Play if you have an android device.
Covid-19 Privacy Notice
If you have been having regular B12 injections at the Surgery please see the advice under Further Information on the right side of the page.
MED3 (sick note)
NHS 111 has established a service for patients who require certification because they are self-isolating in line with government advice. Follow this link:
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
COVID-19
If you have a cough and/or high temperature do not leave your home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. Do not visit the surgery. Routine face to face GP appointments have been suspended. If you need to speak to a GP then it will be a telephone consultation. No home visits will be made. Essential nursing appointments will continue but annual health checks will be suspended.
CORONAVIRUS
If you are concerned that you may have Coronavirus, or may have come into contact with someone who has , the NHS 111 online service has created Coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances.
These can be accesed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
FAX MACHINE
From 1st February 2020 our fax machine has been de-commissioned and we are no longer able to send or received messages via fax.
CARERS
Are you a carer? please see under "Further Information" about the help that is available and fill in the form so that we can add you to our carer's register.
PALS
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
If you are experiencing difficulty with any of the care provided by Darent Valley Hospital then PALS are there to help.In our experience patients have found this invaluable when unable to speak to the team managing their care. This is a confidential service for people who would like information, help or wish to comment about any of the services provided by the hospital.
PALS
Darent Valley Hospital
Darenth Wood Road
Dartford
Kent
DA2 8DA
Tel: 01322 428382
Email: dgn-tr.PALS@nhs.net
Care Quality Commission
For our latest inspection report please see under Further Information
The Cedars Surgery is a Training Practice
In association with:
Kent Surrey & Sussex GP Deanery and Canterbury Christ Church University
Currently training under supervision:
Dr Christine Samuel
Dr Harpiar Seehra
Trainees you may see at our surgery:
FY2 - These are fully qualified doctors who have worked at least one year as hospital doctors. They work under supervision.
ST1, ST2, ST3 - Doctors in specialist training in General Practice. The number next to ST indicates the year of training they are currently in.
PA - Physicians associates - This is a new and exciting role in the NHS.
Physician Associates are collaborative healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education, who work alongside doctors, GP's and surgeons providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.
If you see any of our trainees and have any concerns please speak to a member of the reception staff.
Your opinion is extremely valuable and we will often request feedback from patients regarding our trainees.
Improved Access
Many more GP appointments now available in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley
We are delighted to announce that from 1st October 2018, you can book to be seen by a GP, nurse and other health professionals until 8pm Monday to Friday, and at weekends and bank holidays.
This is part of a national drive to improve access to GP services and give people the opportunity to see health professionals at a time that suits them.
The appointments won't always be at this surgery, but your notes will available to the GP, nurse or other health professional, providing you give your consent.
To find out more, and book one of these appointments, please contact us and speak to the receptionist, who will help you see the right person for your needs.
We will offer the new appointments routinely but please tell us if you particularly need a Saturday, Sunday or evening slot. We will also tell you where the appointment will be.
Please ring NHS111 as usual if you need medical assistance when we are closed and it cannot wait until we re-open.
TELEPHONE CALL RECORDING
We record all incoming and outgoing telephone calls for training and monitoring purposes.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis
HEALTH HELP NOW
Find the right health service online - anytime
See under Further Information to the right of this page
Worried about someone you know?
BLOOD PRESSURE
When did you last have your blood pressure checked? Come in to the surgery and use the BP machine (ask at Reception). If you have your own BP monitor please bring in your readings so we can update your records.
Patient Participation Group
If you would be interested in joining our PPG please click on the link on the right hand side of this page or ask in the Surgery.
DEMENTIA FRIENDS
We have a number of trained Dementia Friends at the Surgery
See the Dementia Diary produced by the Swanley Dementia Friendly Community Forum
Dementia_Diary_2015_to_2017
24hr Dementia Helpline: 0800 500 3014
HEALTH HELP NOW
An innovative new service launched by the NHS to help you find the right treatment.
Health Help Now News
Opening Hours
Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more
(Site updated 14/06/2022)