Get the latest advice about coronavirus from nhs.uk
Please also see our COVID-19 information page
Update on COVID-19 vaccinations at Heathfield Surgery
We are pleased to confirm that from this week we will be starting to make appointments for our patients to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at our surgery.
We will be contacting patients aged 75 and over – those in the next priority group – and making appointments as deliveries of the vaccine are confirmed.
We would politely ask our patients not to contact the surgery to ask for an appointment – we will contact you as soon as an appointment is available. We will contact you via SMS or via a telephone call.
We would like to thank our colleagues in the Greater Wealden Primary Care Network who have been providing the vaccine to our patients aged 80 and over in the last week. Thank you for your support for our patients.
Going forward, subject to supply of the vaccine, we hope to be able to be providing regular clinics for our patients as we work to meet the target to have the first priority groups vaccinated by the middle of February.
You can find out more about the vaccination programme, including a Frequently Asked Questions at the Sussex Health and Care Partnership website - https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/
Christmas Gifts
Thank you for all the lovely cards, biscuits, chocolates and other gifts you have brought to our Surgery. We are always overwhelmed by your kindness! All doctors and staff really appreciate and thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Please wear a facemask when visiting the Surgery, even if only to collect your prescription. The Surgery cannot supply face masks.
When visiting the Heathfield and Firs Surgeries, as per national guidance, we now request that patients over 5 years old wear protection over their mouth and nose. This can be a mask, face covering or scarf. We appreciate your support and understanding.
As a pilot, the Heathfield and Firs Surgery are carefully releasing a small number of TELEPHONE online appointments. These get released the night before.
Please note that these are TELEPHONE consultations, NOT face to face, as the Surgery needs to follow NHSE advice to telephone-triage appointments. Please also note that we may need to close down the online appointments again, depending on NHSE guidance.
Please see our latest newsletter (Word document).
We are looking for patients who would be interested to build a new patient participation group. If you are interested, please let us know via phone to reception, drop in a note to let us know and we will be in touch.
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.
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.
Would you recommend our GP Practice?
95% of our patients would recommend our Surgery to their friends and family.
Thank you for filling in the Friends and Family test. Your comments and recommendations have been noted!
The short video below is all about Choosing the Right Service.
Our lifestyles can be more unhealthy than we think. Start the fight back to a healthier you. Take the One You quiz and see how you score.
One You is here to help you get back to a healthier you. Take our quiz to see how you score.
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It's fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
How likely are you to recommend this Surgery to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment? Please spend 2 minutes to take the Friends and Family Test.
The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
Patient is one of the most trusted medical resources online, supplying evidence based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals.
