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Orchard Surgery
Newsletter November 2024
New phone system - Feedback
Our new phone system has now been installed for 2 months, and the feedback has been very positive. Whilst there is still, on occasion some delay in answering your call due to staff shortages, on average we are answering calls within 5 minutes. You will also get a message to say where you are in the queue.
Future developments will include the ability to ask for a call back, saving you staying on the phone in the queue. Once this has been developed, we will let you know.
In order to speed up the calls – please consider whether you need to make your call during the busiest time of the day – between 8:30am and 9:30am. Calls during this time should be for urgent on the day appointments only.
If calling regarding your medication, please ring between 10am and 12:45pm, and between 3pm and 5pm.
For calls regarding referrals , please call between 10am and 1pm.
Flu Clinic
We have just completed the bulk of our Flu clinics, which have gone very successfully. There are still a few arranged for November, so please do book on line if you have received an invitation to do so. Protect yourself and the NHS by getting vaccinated.
Covid dates at the Hub
We have been providing some COVID vaccinations at the surgery, however, the demand has been very high, and our stock levels are low.
You can get your COVID vaccination, if you are eligible, for free at the Melbourn Hub. The following dates are available :
- 24th November and 15th December
These are walk in clinics, so no need to book an appointment.
General Practice Improvement programme
The Surgery has signed up for the General Practice Improvement Programme, which is a National programme looking at how surgeries can work more efficiently for the benefit of patients and staff alike. It is a 6 month intensive programme looking at how for example appointments are managed, and how improvements can be made. Once the programme has been completed you may see some changes in how we deal with the day to day running of the surgery.
During this time, you may receive some patient surveys. We would be grateful if you could take the time to fill these out – it will help inform the surgery where we can make positive changes to the way we practice
NHS App
Like all surgeries, we are investing in digital access to improve the access for our patients. The NHS APP enables you to look at your notes and see test results, without needing to contact the surgery.
We are encouraging our patients to download the NHS App.
Please do have a look at the app as you are able to request your medication and book appointments at the press of a button from the comfort of your home.
More information is provided on the link.
Dr Rebecca Farndale
Dr Rebecca Farndale will be going on maternity leave at the beginning of November. I am pleased to say that Dr Lorraine Peck will be covering for her during her time off.
We are very pleased to have her with us, and wish Dr Farndale all the best during her time off.
Advance warning of Christmas closure dates
Christmas will soon be here.
We will be closed on the following dates:
- Christmas day : 25th December 2024
- Boxing day: 26th December 2024
- New Years Day : 1st January 2025
Published: Nov 22, 2024