**CORONAVIRUS**- Coronavirus Latest (last updated 30.04.2021)

**MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND 1ST MAY 2021 - 3RD MAY 2021**

Please note the surgery will not be open from 6.30pm Friday 30th April 2021 until Tuesday 4th May 2021 8.00am. 

If you are in need for urgent assistant please contact NHS 111 or for life threatening emergencies call 999.

Please be aware that any E-Consults submitted in this time will not be checked, so do not use this service for anything urgent.  Any request will follow the usual timeframe but taking into consideration of the Saturday/Sunday/Monday will not count as normal working days so your response will be take slightly longer than usual. 

NO ENTRY TO SURGERY (UNLESS YOU HAVE A FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENT WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN TELEPHONE OR TEXT TRIAGED FOR). IF YOU HAVE A GENERAL ENQUIRY YOU MUST CALL OR EMAIL THE SURGERY.  THIS IS TO ENSURE WE MAINTAIN SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES FOR OTHER PATIENTS AND OUR STAFF.   

EVERY PERSONS ATTENDING THE SURGERY MUST WEAR A FACE MASK (unless you are medically exempt).  

Covid Vaccines

We are currently experience high number of calls to book Covid-19 Vaccines which is delaying medical emergency calls from getting through on reception.  Please click on this link for the latest update on Covid Vaccine booking and invites information: COVID-19 VACCINES

Invites are being sent via a text message where you can book the appointment yourself.  Those who don't have a mobile we will contact you via telephone or letter. We are currently recalling for second dose vaccines. **Please make sure we have your up to date contact details to ensure you get invited without any delay.**  

The vaccines offered through The Upstairs Surgery are being administered off site at:

Raphaels House, Victoria Centre, Pettitis Lane, Romford RM1 4HP.

Limited parking is available, it is advised where possible to use other modes of transport.

OUR STAFF   

Our team of GPs, Nurses, Management, Reception and Admin are here to help you.  We understand this is a difficult time for people and we want to continue to offer safe and efficient care for all our patients.  Please Help Use so we can continue to Help You. 

You can do this by:

1. Wear a Face Mask when attending the surgery (unless medically exempt).  We are doing this to help protect our staff and other patients in the surgery.  Our Receptionist does not need to wear a mask when at reception desk as we have installed perspex screens. 

2. Understanding that our telephone lines may be busier as more people are calling then coming into surgery.

3. Only call before 10.00 am Monday-Friday if you call is for a on the day urgent appointment request.  For anything non-urgent please call after 10.00am. 

4. Please give as much information as possible to our reception team when they ask you what the problem is when booking an appointment.  All of our reception team have received Care Navigation training to ensure you are signposted to the relevant team.  Our GP Partners have asked our team to triage the problem when booking appointments. 

5. Think before calling, is the GP Surgery the correct place.  Could it be something that could be treated at the pharmacy?  You can submit an

E-consult via our website for further information.

6.  Please do not shout, use violent language or aggressive behaviour towards any member staff.  We follow a strict Zero Tolerance policy. 

Thank you in your co-operation.

All staff at The Upstairs Surgery.  

Contacting us by phone

Please be sensible and call at less busy times for general enquiries so urgent calls are not delayed.  Please also think, is your call important or can you get the information somewhere else e.g. online.

Contacting us by email 

Please use theupstairssurgery@nhs.net for enquiries and queries.  Please note we are not able to process prescription requests or book appointments via email.  See below for how to do both of these.

Follow us on Twitter

We are now on twitter, follow us @SurgeryUpstairs for the latest news, updates and information.

Using E-consults 

Please use the E-consults on this website's homepage for online consultation, medical advice, requesting medical certificates and other admin, once received this will then be reviewed by a Clinician and you will receive a response within 48 working hours of submitting. 

Actions

Share this message far and wide with family, friends and others who are patients.

SIGN UP FOR ONLINE SERVICES by contacting a member of our reception team on 0208 5971840 or email theupstairssurgery@nhs.net  who will then send you the online registration form which you will need to complete and send back with a CLEAR photo of yourself holding your passport photo page open or driving licence next to your face.  

Alternatively sign up for the nhs app

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/

You can then request your medication online, view your medical record and book appointments (note appointment booking is temporarily suspended).

Requesting medications

Patients at The Upstairs surgery may request repeat prescriptions in the below various ways:

• Online (NHS APP or other providers) - please speak with our reception team for details of this service
• Using The Upstairs Surgery prescription box in Health Centre located on first floor by lifts.
• Via a pharmacy of your choice
• By post 

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS OVER THE PHONE DUE TO SECURITY REASONS.

Collecting Prescriptions/referrals/blood forms/medical certificates etc.

Your referrals or blood forms or medical certificates will be texted or emailed to you. If you don’t have a mobile or email we will post them. Please ensure we have your correct mobile number. Please sign up to online services so we have your verified email- see above.

Attending Appointments

You MUST ring the door bell and wait to be greeted by a member of our reception team. (Please be aware you may have a to wait a few mintues as our reception team may be completing a phone call.)

Use the sanitising station when entering and leaving the surgery.

Stand behind the barrier and hazard tape when in reception front desk area.

Please sit at least 2 meters away from other patients, abide by social distancing signs. 

There is a cleaning station please use for chairs before seating on.

Use the new one-way system around the surgery.

Please do not arrive too early as this could cause a bottleneck at reception.

Please do not bring multiple family members to the appointment. If you can, come alone or with one primary carer.

Please wash your hands before and after the visit and use tissues to catch any sneezes/coughs

By working together and taking individual responsibility we will overcome this. Please follow the guidance, stay safe and look out for those who are vulnerable.

Our Practice

Our partners operate within the new GMS contract. Our aim is to provide a high standard of quality medical care and we need your co-operation in order to achieve this.

This website is designed to tell you about your Practice and how to get the best from our range of services. We aim to provide personal family doctoring whilst working together as part of Primary Health Care Team.

We have 2 GP Partners, 1 Salaried GP, 3 Practice Nurses and a great team of managment, administration and receptionists who work alongside together to provide effective, efficient and educational care to patients.

The Upstairs Surgery is part of the Havering Crest PCN.

Mission Statement

Our aim is to provide the best possible clinical care from our team of clinical, managerial, administrative and reception staff to give a high quality, courteous, efficient and friendly service.