PATIENT INFORMATION

PATIENT’S PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF MEDICATION ARE BEING REVIEWED BY THE DOCTORS AT THE PRACTICE IN LINE WITH NHS GUIDELINES FOR COVID ADVICE WITH REGARD TO THE ADDED ADVERSE EFFECT THAT THESE TYPES OF DRUGS CAN HAVE IF YOU CONTRACT THE CORONA VIRUS.

BENZODIAZEPINES (SUCH AS DIAZEPAM)

HYPNOTICS (SUCH AS ZOPICLONE)

OPIATE MEDICINES INCLUDING CODIENE/TRAMADOL/MORPHINE

CORONAVIRUS

Due to the coronavirus, Forge Medical Practice informs you that all appointments will be converted to telephone appointments. Only patients that have been requested to attend by a clinician should come into the practice for a face to face appointment until further notice. If you need to contact us, please call the practice – see https://www.theoldforgesurgery.nhs.uk for more information. If you are worried about Coronavirus, then please use the NHS111 online service for advice and help - https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/

We would ask that patients be patient with the reception staff and clinicians during this difficult period. The advice from the Government can change as the virus progresses and we will be updating information as we receive it. We request  where possible patients sign up for online access. Please contact the surgery for help with this. Can we also remind patients that it is important to update the surgery with current telephone numbers as we may need to contact them when necessary. Thank you for your co-operation. 

DOMESTIC ABUSE MESSAGE

• Those living with domestic abuse or worried about someone who is can call the Wearside Women in Need local 24-Hour Helpline on: 0800 066 5555.  Their specialist advisors offer confidential, non-judgemental support and information to survivors, anyone experiencing domestic abuse, and their friends and families.

• Those who are hurting a loved one, or are worried about their own behaviour and want to take steps to change it can confidentially call the Respect Helpline free on 0808 8024040 - Monday-Friday 9am-5pm 

• Those who are concerned about the safety of a child or young person can contact Together for Children on 0191 520 5560 during office hours or the Out of Hours Team on 0191 520 5552. In an emergency always call 999  

 SUPPORT SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Kooth.com - online support for young people

We would like to remind you of the availability of our online service to support the wellbeing and resilience of young people.

Kooth is a web based confidential support service available to young people aged 11-18 and to care leavers up to the age of 25 in Sunderland. Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people.  

Kooth offers young people the opportunity to have a text-based conversation with a qualified counsellor. Counsellors are available from 12 noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10 pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop-in basis. Young people can access regular booked online counselling sessions as needed. Outside counselling hours’, young people can message our team and receive support by the next day.

When young people register with Kooth they will have support available to them now and in the future. Support can be gained not only through optional counselling but through articles, forums and discussion boards.  All content is age appropriate, clinically approved and fully moderated. 

To find out more visit www.Kooth.com  where young people can register and others can find out more about the service. 

You can also view a short video about the service at: https://vimeo.com/318731977/a9f32c87de.          

We would like to remind you of the availability of our online service to support the wellbeing and resilience of young people.

ThinkNinja is an App which is another option for 10-18 year olds to access to help with issues they may be struggling with during this stressful time. Link below.

https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/thinkninja/

FOR SELF HELP IN ILLNESS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN NHS SERVICES ARE VERY BUSY - PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR ADVICE

http://www.urgentoremergency.co.uk/

EXTENDED HOURS SERVICE

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE SURGERY IS NOW ABLE TO OFFER APPOINTMENTS OUTSIDE SURGERY HOURS DURING EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS. THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE IN DESIGNATED LOCATIONS AND INFORMATION ON THIS CAN BE FOUND ON THE LINK BELOW. THE PRACTICE WILL ADVISE YOU ON THE AVAILABILITY AND CRITERIA WITH REGARDS TO THESE APPOINTMENTS AS NOT ALL REQUESTS WILL BE SUITABLE. PLEASE CONTACT THE SURGERY DURING NORMAL OPENING TIMES AS ALL APPOINTMENTS MUST BE BOOKED AND CANCELLED VIA RECEPTION AT THE PRACTICE.

http://www.sunderlandgpalliance.co.uk/sunderland-extended-access-service-information/

ALSO PLEASE GO TO 'FURTHER INFORMATION' -RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HOME PAGE  AND CLICK ON EXTENDED ACCESS - and URGENT CARE SERVICES -FURTHER WEBSITE LINKS AVAILABLE

HOSPITAL TESTS OR INVESTIGATIONS

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF TESTS OR INVESTIGATIONS ARE REQUESTED BY A SPECIALIST OR CONSULTANT, THEN THE RESULTS OF THESE TESTS NEED TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONSULTANT OR SPECIALIST INVOLVED.

(See top ribbon 'Tests & Results' for more details)

THANK YOU.

'BE DOG SMART'

SUNDERLAND SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD (SSCB) IS WORKING WITH PARTNERS ACROSS THE CITY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GENERAL DOG SAFETY

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK FOR USEFUL ADVICE ON GENERAL DOG SAFETY

www.bedogsmart.org.uk

PATIENTS PLEASE NOTE

PATIENT'S FAILING TO ATTEND APPOINTMENTS

PATIENT'S WHO DO NOT ATTEND FOR BOOKED APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT LETTING US KNOW, PREVENT  OTHER PATIENT'S FROM TAKING AN APPOINTMENT WHICH THEY REALLY NEED. PLEASE CANCEL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND - EVEN AT SHORT NOTICE WE CAN USE THE APPOINTMENT. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK  TO SHOW HOW MANY PATIENTS FAILED TO ATTEND LAST MONTH. THANK YOU.

We will start updating this information when surgery re-opens for regular face to face appointments.

COULD PATIENTS PLEASE ENSURE THAT THEY UPDATE THE SURGERY WITH CONTACT DETAILS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IF WE NEED TO CONTACT YOU URGENTLY.

THANK YOU