Our Flu Season has now fully started and the Surgery will be sending out reminders to all eligible patients. Please note that Flu vaccinations for patients UNDER 65 years of age will only be available after 14 October 2019 due to delays in recommendation by the World Health Organisation as to the strains of the virus.
This year there are again two vaccinations:
Please be reminded that we offer a walk-in service as well. Ask at reception to see if you can have a flu vaccination and they will try and accommodate you, depending on available staff. You may have to wait.
Dear friends and patients of Heathfield surgery,
It is with great regret that I must announce I am leaving Heathfield Surgery as of the end of September 2019. This is solely related to a change in my personal circumstances.
It has been my utmost pleasure and privilege to work in Heathfield for the last 4 years and I am very sad to be leaving such a wonderful group of patients and staff. I am sure that my colleagues will continue to keep Heathfield surgery a great place to work and attend as patients.
The surgery is currently still searching for my replacement but in the meantime any of the doctors at the practice will be available to meet your needs.
Kind regards,
Dr Alex Dale
High Street Surgery closed for essential training
Please note that the surgery will be closed for staff training on the following afternoons in 2020:
Tuesday 17th March
Thursday 11th June
Tuesday 8th September
Thursday 12th November.
For any medical emergencies during this time please call 999, and for any other general medical queries please call the out of hours service on 111. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
This year, our Patient Partipation Group have engaged in doing a survey on lost appointments. This has been very helpful and some great recommendations were made by our excellent group. Please read the findings of their survey.
Heathfield and Firs Surgeries are running a pilot for online booking of appointments for nurses and healthcare assistants, besides doctor's appointments. Please be reminded NOT to book on line for: Medicals, Baby checks, Post Natals, Coil Fits, Implanon/Nexplanon, Minor Ops, Cryotherapy, Travel vaccinations (we do NOT offer a travel clinic, but do offer the NHS injection Hep A&B, Typhoid & Tetanus), Blood Tests (All are done at the Firs Surgery), Wound Care
These procedures need more time and/or special clinics and should be booked at reception or by phoning the Surgery.
Please note that only certain procedures can be done by a nurse or an Health Care Assistant. A nurse can see you for: Smear (20 minutes), Pill Check (10 Minutes), Hep A&B injection, Typhoid injection, Tetanus injection (10 minutes), Prostap or Zoladex injection (10 Minutes), Ear syringing: ONLY after you have oiled your ear(s) for a week (10 minutes per ear).
A Healthcare Assistant can see you for: INR check (10 minutes), Blood Pressure measurement (10 minutes), NHS Health Check (30 Minutes). You need to be between 40 and 74 years of age and not already have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure.)
As of 25 May 2018 a new Data Protection Policy has come into force on 25 May 2018. It is an EU wide regulation that will remain part of the British Law after Brexit. It replaces the Data Protection Act of 1998 and 2003.
How we use your information:
Medical confidentiality is the cornerstone of trust between doctor and patient and we keep your records secure and confidential.
For your direct care either from the practice or within the NHS hospital service we imply your consent to pass on relevant clinical information to other professional staff involved in your direct care.
Only when there is a legal basis for the transfer of data we may pass limited and relevant information to other NHS organisations to improve the efficient management of the NHS or to aid medical research.
If you wish to see more information about this subject please visit our website: www.heathfieldsurgery.nhs.uk
If you wish to object to the use of your data for these ‘secondary’ uses please ask reception for a form to dissent.
Also see our detailed Privacy Policy, which also covers GDPR.
Did you know we have a Patient Participation Group?
As a patient of Heathfield and the Firs Surgery you may have a view on the things that matter in your local health service. Our Surgery’s Patient Participation Group is a selection of patients and practice staff who meet at regular intervals to decide ways to make a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the Practice.
Patient Group Page
Please note that the surgery has been advised by the CQC that we are ONLY permitted to take requests for medication in WRITING and not over the telephone. Please be aware that you can request your prescription online if you are signed up for surgery online booking. For further details please contact your reception team.
Please also note that all blood tests are now carried out every weekday morning at the Firs Surgery in Cross in Hand. If you are unable to get to the Firs Surgery, you are welcome to take your blood test form to the Phlebotomy Department at Eastbourne District General Hospital instead.
If you have not already signed up for online booking, and have access to a computer, please be aware that the surgery is releasing more GP appointments to book online. Please bring photo ID with you to your surgery and the reception team can issue you with an online user name and password.
This will generally allow you to be able to book appointments online over the weekend for the next week, often for the next morning, and during the day too. However, please note that appointments are subject to availablity, issued on a first come first served basis, and for selected GP appointments only.
Online access for children under 10 years of age can be managed by a parent or legal guardian. Again please bring in photo ID (for the adult) to the surgery and we can generate log-in details.
Unfortunately we cannot offer on-line access to children over 10 years old and under 16 years of age.
Don't forget to inform the surgery if you have changed your mobile number, as we when we book appointments for you we automatically send out text confirmations. Similarly, if you haven't already provided us with your mobile number please let us know so we can update our records.
A friendly group offering support, advice and understanding for those affected by dementia. Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at Heffle Court Willow Tea Shop, Station Road, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8DR.
Please contact Fiona for further details
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