Repeat Prescriptions
As per an NHS England directive, all patients should now be using online services to order repeat medication. Over the next few days the practice will be reducing the availability of the prescription line, and we will only take verbal requests from those patients who are on our housebound register. If you have not done so already please download the NHS App so you can order your medication, see your patient record and also any hospital referrals and test results. Patients can also drop into the surgery their repeat prescription slip. These slips can then be placed into the one of the new prescription post boxes that will be installed into the surgery at Westerhope.
We thank you for your co-operation with this.
Patient Feedback
The practice welcomes feedback from patients regarding the range and standard of services we provide. Feedback, positive comment or constructive criticism, can be given in a range of ways:
- Friend and Family Test feedback questionnaires
- On the 'Have your say' section of the practice newsletter
- Complaints (written or verbal)
- Directly to staff or clinicians
- Via the Patient Participation Group
All patient feedback is valuable in allowing the practice to assess and, where necessary, modify the services we provide.
Going to University?
If you’re planning to go to university, please make an appointment as soon as possible before leaving for university. You are at more risk of meningitis and septicaemia in the first weeks at university when you mix with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria, which is usually spread through prolonged close contact.
As the vaccine will also boost your protection against Men C, it replaces the “Freshers’” Men C programme which has been in place for the past year.
Please phone us as soon as possible to arrange an appointment to have the vaccination. If you decide not to have the vaccination please let us know so we can enter this on your medical records.
Further information on the vaccination programme and meningococcal disease can be found on NHS Choices at:
Ways to Wellness
In Newcastle, there are an estimated 40,000 people who suffer with one or more long-term health conditions including diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease and this week NHS Newcastle West CCG along with partners are launching a ‘Ways to Wellness programme’ to provide funding for social prescribing.
To address this issue, a newly-formed organisation called Ways to Wellness has developed an innovative programme based on the concept of ‘social prescribing’ – the use of non-medical interventions to achieve sustained lifestyle change and improved self-care among people with long-term health conditions. Ways to Wellness believes this first programme, which will start next week and run for an initial seven years, can improve the health of approximately 11,000 people living in the west of Newcastle.
Ways to Wellness Presentation
Ways to Wellness Poster
Friends & Family Test
Have your say to improve your healthcare
Did you know you can now have your say to help improve more services across the NHS?
The Friends & Family Test is about giving patients the opportunity to provide quick feedback on their care and treatment experience. It’s already in use in many parts of the NHS and is expanding to a lot more.
You can say what is going well and what can be improved so that people who make decisions about local healthcare can take your views into account.
It doesn’t take long and you don’t need to give your details on your feedback form.
Look for details in the reception or waiting room. You can ask a member of staff how you can take part or find out more online.
Family and Friends Test Power Point.pdf
Online Services
Westerhope Medical Group patients are able to book appointments and request repeat prescriptions on line. We are now expanding the online service to include access to medical record.
At this stage access is limited to a summary of Medications and Allergies. However EMIS, the practice’s clinical system supplier, will be able to provide access to other parts of a patient’s medical record from 2016. Further information regarding the scope of this access will be circulated when available.
In the interests of security and confidentiality it is necessary to register for online services and further information is available from Reception.
Please find the registration form for access to Online Services below.
Online Services - Patient Application Form