Bridgeside Surgery Newsletter: Autumn 2022

Welcome Back

After a difficult time with Covid-19 we are starting to open up and find a new routine to accommodate as many patients as possible. While catching up on the last two years of patient care we are looking forward to what is available to help patients take charge of their own health. We are currently triaging GP appointments with a telephone call and will follow this up with a face to face appointment if needed. A number of patients have found that their health matters can be sorted out over the phone or by video link which not only saves time but frees up appointments for others needing a little more care. Thank you for remaining supportive and please be assured that we have your best interests and good health as a priority. 

A re-cap and update at Bridgeside Surgery

Goodbyes and Hellos - Dr Savvas retired in May 21 and we now have a new partner, Dr Richard De-Heer. Other staff that have retired after many years at Bridgeside, Practice Manager Amanda and her Deputy Carole and in September this year, Margaret who has been Dr McGregor’s PA for many years. As times move forward we are fortunate to have Helen, our Advanced Nurse Practitioner working two days a week.

Other changes – a new telephone system in 2021 has allowed us to monitor calls and establish busy times of the day to ensure we answer as many requests as possible. Over 3900 calls are received each month which is over 200 each day. We ask patients to call after 11am for results, pre bookable appointments and enquiries to help relieve the busy times when we first open. 

CCTV was installed last year covering outside and the public waiting areas.

What’s happening now

A patient questionnaire is currently in use at the surgery to gather your feedback as we are wanting to improve availability and streamline some routine calls so they can be dealt with more promptly and get you the help needed within a shorter time period. Staff are currently undertaking training to be able to navigate patients to the most appropriate clinician. You may be asked some basic questions when phoning for an appointment which is purely to establish the best route of care. 

A community pharmacy service is being put in place to speed up medication and patient consultations – posters will be in the waiting room when this starts.

Our current web site is due for a new look and will be launched in the near future so please bear with us as we work on this too.

As time progresses there is an increasing reference to using the web site or email. If this is something that interests you there is help at hand. The NHS App will give access to repeat prescriptions ‘on-line’, booking appointments and viewing your medical records, if you wish, from November. You can discover how this works and how to use it by phoning 01323 463759, contacting East Sussex: IT For You or downloading the NHS app.

We now have a hearing loop in the practice for anyone wishing to use it during their consultation or when speaking to reception. This device reduces other noises and allows the user to hear more clearly with their hearing aid. 

PPG – Patient Participation Group

Our PPG continues to grow and we welcome new members from the surgery to help us improve patient experience in the practice and run projects around patient education, health promotion and feedback. Our Chairperson, Ralph has contributed to our newsletter 

A view from the Chair:
I joined in 2015, encouraged by a former work colleague. At that time I was certainly feeling that I should try to give something back to Bridgeside Surgery, acknowledging the caring, quality service my wife and I have received over the years.

Having sat in a number of PPG meetings and familiarised myself with the overall objectives, alongside the abilities and experience of members, I was happy to accept the role of Chair in 2016.

Whilst each surgery’s PPG is unique in its’ membership and servicing, locally identified needs, within the Hailsham, Seaford and Eastbourne area, there is a regular, usually quarterly, PPG Forum meeting to share information and upcoming developments initiated by the Care Commissioning Group.

In recent years, omitting the relative 2 year vacuum created by Covid… Bridgeside’s PPG members have undertaken a number of tasks including assisting and analysing results of Patient Surveys, minor repairs to office fittings and furniture, regular checking and updating/thinning out the poster displays in the waiting room, also undertaking occasional repairs to pothole and resurfacing the gravel car park. Needless to say the list doesn’t stop there!

I have been encouraged to learn of recent CCG initiatives to cope with the increased pressures on medical and administration staff, to spread the load across the whole medical team, including referral where appropriate to pharmacists. The contribution to this by our ever courteous and helpful Receptionists, as first point of contact/enquiry certainly merits our thanks and praise. 

Ralph

If you are a carer have you contacted Care for the Carers?

It is for everyone who cares for a relative,  friend or neighbor in East Sussex. Telephone: 01323 738390, Text: 07860 077300 or visit the Care for the Carers website

Flu

We are now booking flu vaccinations at Bridgeside surgery, please call after 11am to make an appointment if you are eligible. 

Covid-19

We are not giving Autumn Covid boosters at Bridgeside, please book these via the National Booking site (this gives you up to date information on walk-in sites and booking options) or call 119.

If you need this newsletter printed in larger type we are happy to provide this on request.

Published: Oct 1, 2022