IT issues with our clinical system
We have been experiencing widespread issues with accessing our clinical systems since yesterday. Our IT team is currently working on identifying the source of the problem and applying a fix. Whilst we wait for this we are working on reduced capacity and this may mean our patients will experience further delays when contacting us. If your query is non urgent the can you please contact us using e-Consult next week. For anything urgent please contact 111 today or over the weekend.
We will update you as soon as we have further information.
Be a health care hero - wear a mask and socially distance – it’s still mandatory in General Practices
Thank you to all of our patients and visitors who continue to keep us and our patients safe, especially those that are vulnerable by following the government guidelines of wearing face masks, social distancing and using hand gels when visiting your GP surgery.
Although we are encouraging all our patients to only come in to the surgery where necessary, we still have patients attending appointments and by following the infection control guidelines we are able to safely provide essential health care services to you all and remain open despite rising cases of COVID.
To read more about this on the NHS England’s website please click here
Please be aware that if you are visiting the practice and are not wearing a face mask we will continue to remind you to wear one.
Thank you for helping keep us, all our patients, and our community safe. With your help, we want to continue providing a high standard of care throughout what is likely to be a very tough winter.
Best wishes, and stay safe
From 1st November 2021 we are making improvements to the way you can access your GP practice, safely and securely
JSP 4U
The information you provide in your e-Consult will be reviewed by a clinician, who will assess the clinical urgency.
Consultations will be prioritized according to need:
- Urgent appointments will be reserved for the most unwell patients who we feel need a same day assessment
- Less urgent problems will be grouped into those needing an assessment within 48 hours and those that can wait up to a week
- Routine follow ups and long-term condition reviews we will aim to offer an appointment within 14 days
Depending on the type of problem, the appointment offered may be by telephone, video or face to face. Alternatively, we may signpost you to a different service if they are better placed to help, or provide you with advice by text if a consultation is not necessary.
For telephone and video appointments, we will send a text offering an appointment within the next 14 days. If you need a face-to-face appointment, a member of the reception team will call you to arrange a suitable time. (We will also call you back on a landline if you do not have a mobile number or IT access).
If you are offered a telephone appointment, we will advise you of the date and a one hour time-slot when we will call, making it easier to plan your day. If we cannot reach you at your allocated appointment time, we will try a second time. If we still cannot contact you, we will send a text message asking you to contact us again on a different day if the appointment is still needed.
Important Changes to Our Appointment System
More flexible and safer access to your general practice team via e-Consult@JSP!
How to access e-Consult@JSP?
You can click on the following link to begin your e-Consult: https://jubileestreetpractice.webgp.com/
Why do we need to change?
Our current system relies on us being able to respond to the majority of the contacts we receive on the same day. Due to backlogs across the health system caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with unprecedented demand for appointments and staff vacancies, this system has become unsustainable.
Over the last 12 months, we have been accepting contacts via Ask JSP (our quick access service for contacting us via a short online form), e-consult and telephone. Ask JSP has been something of a victim of its own success! We know that many of our patients love how easy it is to use but we are now having to cap access on a daily basis, at different times of the day, which can be confusing. This is leading to long waiting times to contact us by telephone, as well as uncertainty as to when you can expect a call back and whether your problem is ‘urgent’.
Our priorities:
- To provide safe care where clinically urgent problems can be assessed and treated in a timely manner
- A streamlined and simple access system that works for our patients, and for our staff
How will the new system work?
From 25th October we will be moving to e-Consult as our preferred contact method and Ask JSP will be closing down.
e-Consult is an easy to use online platform, which will guide you through a series of questions, relevant to your query. This will help us to gather the information we need in order to prioritise how urgent your problem might be and to book you with the most appropriate team member. You will also be able to contact us via e-consult for administrative requests and to access self-care advice 24 hours a day.
Once we have received your online consultation, you will receive confirmation from e-Consult by email. In some instances, we may be able to provide you with the information you need by responding to you via email or text message, or may direct you to a more appropriate service. The information you have provided will be reviewed by a clinician and you will then be offered an appointment which may be by telephone, video or face to face. We will aim to offer you an appointment within the next 7 days.
What about patients who do not have internet access?
You can still contact the practice as normal on 02077808000. A member of the reception team will take your details and will either assist with your query, or arrange a call back in which a team member will guide you through a series of questions to assist our clinicians, which they will enter into the e-Consult system on your behalf.
What about medical emergencies?
Please do not use e-Consults in an emergency. Instead, please phone the practice on 02077808000. If the practice is closed then please call 111, or consider attending A&E if you feel your condition may be life threatening.
See below for a walk-through video on how to use e-Consult:
Register your Type 1 Opt-Out Preference
The data held in your GP medical records is shared with other healthcare professionals for the purposes of your individual care. It is also shared with other organisations to support health and care planning and research.
If you do not want your personally identifiable patient data to be shared outside of your GP practice for purposes except your own care, you can register an opt-out with your GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out.
Type 1 Opt-outs may be discontinued in the future. If this happens then they may be turned into a National Data Opt-out. Your GP practice will tell you if this is going to happen and if you need to do anything. More information about the National Data Opt-out is here: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
If you wish to make a choice for:
- Children under the age of 13
- Someone you can legally make decisions for
Please visit the NHS website for full instructions on how to do this.
You can use this form to:
- register a Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or for a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) (to Opt-out)
- withdraw an existing Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) if you have changed your preference (Opt-in)
This decision will not affect individual care and you can change your choice at any time, using this form.
If you prefer you can download an easy-read version of this information: assets.nhs.uk/patient-information
Working Together Group (WTG) for Carers
All unpaid Carers living - or caring for someone - in: Tower Hamlets, Newham or City of London and Hackney.
We understand the needs of our cared-for are at most times our priority, however this space is not only to improve the mental health services available to those we care for – it is also a space designed to support you and your mental wellbeing as an individual; both alongside and outside of your Carer duties.
OUR NEXT WORKING TOGETHER (WTG) GROUP IS ON:
Thursday 9th September 2021
2.30pm-4.30pm
Location: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3mnaeMH
Register: https://bit.ly/3iXh35C
*Eligibility: All Carers (excludes care workers) who are either living in or caring for someone in Tower Hamlets, Newham or City & Hackney are welcome to take part in our programme. However, to be paid for your participation - you, or the person you are caring for must be a current NHS ELFT mental health service user or have been discharged from a service within the last six months. We will strive to be able to include more participants in the eligibility to be paid as soon as we can.
Please use the flyer or links attached to join us for our first Carers meeting or email me directly if you have any other questions about the work we are doing for Carers specifically using: heena.patel20@nhs.net.
Covid-19 vaccines
Unless you are aged 80 and over and have not been contacted about having your first vaccine, please DO NOT contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine.
The NHS is prioritising vaccinating people who experts have agreed will benefit the most. We will let you know when it is your turn. Please see here for advice. If you are aged 80 and over, and have not been contacted about a first vaccination please let us know.
If you are aged 80 and over and housebound we have had to wait until we had the right vaccine, the right procedures and processes, so we have only recently started visiting homes - however there is no harm in ringing us to check we have you on our list.
There is comprehensive information, guidance, and answers to questions at COVID-19 Vaccination programme | East London Health & Care Partnership (eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk)
Getting the help you need
The NHS in London is very busy as coronavirus infection rates continue to be high, but we’ll help you get urgent care when you need it.
Most consultations are over the phone and via video. This is for everyone's safety. We will assess your situation and invite you into the practice if needed.
We can arrange same-day appointments if you need urgent care but please don't visit without an appointment. Appointments will be held in the best way to keep you safe from Covid.
You can also contact 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice - including if you have concerns about your Covid-19 symptoms.
Please remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies.
Please help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe by following the latest rules.
Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies
Anxious? Feeling low? Stressed?
www.towerhamletstalkingtherapies.nhs.uk
Shielding - Your Questions Answered!
Click here for our information sheet on what to do if you are at increased risk from COVID-19.
Coronavirus guidance from the government and the Royal college of General Practioners (RCGP)
Please follow the government guidelines and do not come into the surgery, and make use of our online services or contact us by telephone.
If you are asked to come in, or have no access to any of the above means of contact then to help protect our patients and our staff we are asking that you attend alone or with no more than one other person to help you. On arrival you will be asked to speak to a member of staff through an internal window so that we can direct you most appropriately.
Help us to help you, stay home and if you need non Covid -19 related medical advice contact us using our online consultation form by clicking here.
Jubilee Street practice is closely following guidance from the government and the Royal college of General Practioners (RCGP).
As such the RCGP has set out the following guidelines of what we should and shouldn’t deal with as a GP practice under current circumstances, to view a list please click here. The list may change based on current circumstances.
Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The latest information on Coronavirus infection can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- In line with current advice, if you develop a new, continuous cough OR a fever, you and your household must self-isolate according to government guidance.
- There is no need to contact your GP for a certificate to cover this period, 111 can arrange this for you. Please click here for an isolation note.
- If you feel unable to manage your symptoms at home, or you are becoming more unwell, please contact us in the first instance, if however we are closed then contact 111
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. (https://111.nhs.uk/)
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.??Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Following advice from NHS England, Jubilee Street Practice are encouraging patients to use online consultations and prescription ordering services where possible. Use of online services reduces non-essential visits to the practice which can help prevent and delay the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), protecting our patients and staff.
For the safety of our patients and staff, we will be asking you at every point of contact if you have any of the potential coronavirus symptoms.
Prescription requests during the coronavirus outbreak
Minimising non-urgent visits to the practice – Wherever possible we are asking patients to order their repeat medicines using the NHS App which can be downloaded here . Please also nominate a pharmacy to receive your prescription electronically instead of coming to reception to collect. If a pharmacy is not nominated, we will send your prescription to the pharmacy closest to your regular address. Please be aware that pharmacies are facing huge demand and there may be a limit on the number of people allowed into the pharmacy at one time; please try to adhere to social distancing guidance when collecting your script. For patients who are unable to order online, we have a request box in the entrance to the surgery.
Paracetamol supplies – We are aware that many patients are finding it difficult to purchase paracetamol from local shops and pharmacies and where available, sales are likely to be restricted. There are limited supplies of paracetamol remaining for patients who have a regular prescription for an existing condition. We hope you understand that it is not possible for us to prescribe paracetamol for all our patients ‘just in case’ as this will place undue demand on the system. Vulnerable patients who are self-isolating will need to be prioritised for small supplies.
Script Durations – We are complying with advice NOT to extend the length of prescriptions. Stockpiling will worsen existing medicines shortages and put pharmacies under more pressure at this difficult time. Usual prescription quantities will be issued electronically. If you are self-isolating we would recommend asking a low risk friend or family member to collect on your behalf. Many pharmacies are also able to offer a delivery service – if you are self-isolating, please let them know so that they make appropriate arrangements for delivery.
We know that this is a worrying time for many of our patients but sticking to the above guidance will help us to support our community and keep us safe.
Advice for your Condition
We know that many of you will be worried about the risk from coronavirus to yourself or to loved ones. If you have an existing condition you should follow the information relevant to your condition at the websites below. Everyone should also follow the government's advice on social distancing
Asthma
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
Diabetes
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
CF
https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-qa
Cardiovascular
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health
Respiratory conditions (COPD)
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/people-living-with-lung-condition
MS
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms
Rheumatoid arthritis
https://www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far
Blood cancers
https://bloodwise.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-and-blood-cancer
HIV
https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19
If you have a temperature (above 37.8 degrees) or a new cough please self-isolate at home. If you are more unwell please call 111 who are coordinating all treatment of suspected coronavirus.
Covid-19 guidance for practices - Requests for MED3 ‘fit notes’ (sick notes)
For more information and certificate please CLICK HERE.
Have you heard? We use a booking system we call DOCTOR DIRECT
- All bookings to be made on the day, for the day.
- No need to ring in advance to make a booking! Call us only on the day when you can/need to be seen.
- Reception will still take your call, but the doctor will ring you back to make your appointment – always.
- If you want to speak to a specific doctor, just ask.
- This will make the system fairer to everyone – no more “appointment lottery”, everyone who needs to be seen will be seen – on the day.
- This system shows higher patient satisfaction rates in the practices where it already works…
- But please make sure we have your up to date contact details!
- If you don’t speak English, please have someone at home to help translate.
- You will still be able to book appointments with the nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives via reception.
- In a nutshell: need a doctor? Speak to one directly, and you will be seen on the day if you need to!
If you phone or email about a skin problem, we may ask you to send us a photograph to our generic email address or use the online consultation to send a photo. In conjunction with your description of the symptoms, this can help greatly to make a diagnosis and to give you best possible advice. It is important to remember that although our email address is secure, you may be sending the picture from a non-secure email address. Hence you should not send us a photograph of a rash in a sensitive place (e.g. genitalia) or if you are at all uncertain whether to send the photograph or not. We will then reply to your call/email in the usual way (described above). The image will be filed in your clinical records and the same safeguards as with all your clinical information apply with regards to confidentiality of the information.
Due to higher volumes of patient contact, at times we have to switch our Dr Direct system to e-consult only (urgent only). This means, unless it’s medically urgent, and cannot wait for such a time when we are no longer in e-consult only state, then the only way to request a call back is using our e-consult portal. In such a case, our patient assistants can help guide you as to what may be the most suitable method of contact.
This is essential so that we can safely and efficiently manage the patient queries coming in, with the resources available to us. In any case the e-consult portal is a safe and secure way of contacting the practice at any given time, for non-urgent queries.
For detailed information on how we request, process and store your images please click here.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Pram and wheelchair access available