Monthly Archives: February 2024

NHS App – Prescriptions and NHS Waiting Times

01/02/2024BaNES NewsLouise Gregory

Waiting list information in the NHS App

From 30 January 2024, the NHS App will show patients in England an estimated waiting time for their hospital treatment at the NHS acute trust they’ve been referred to.

Digital prescriptions in the NHS App

From 30 January 2024, patients in England can use the NHS App to view all their prescription details, order repeat prescriptions and generate a barcode that can be shown to a pharmacy for collection without a paper prescription from their GP.

If you need help/support in setting up the NHS app, please contact our Care Co-Ordinator, Kim, who will be able to help you. Tel: 01761 404222.

Helping you to manage your health

Who do I see?

For information on how best to be seen at the Surgery, select the service or condition you require.

Abdominal Pain

Who to see: GP or Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. If your pain is sudden and severe please let our receptionist know.

Acute Asthma

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. Use your inhalers as prescribed. Visit this Asthma advice site for more information. We usually invite our patients for a health check on the month of their birth for a review.

Anxiety

Who to see: Self help or GP

Advice: There are lots of mental health services available locally that may help you. Please visit BANES talking therapies online for a list of local services. Or the charity MIND who can also help.

If you feel unable to cope visit www.samaritans.org.

Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. We would recommend that you make a routine double appointment as it may take longer than 10 minutes to talk about your symptoms.

Back Pain

Who to see: GP

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. Back pain after doing something strenuous is not unusual and will usually pass after a few days. You can take over the counter pain relief to help you. If this is not the case you may need to see a GP, and they may need to refer you to another service.

You can refer yourself for Physiotherapy if you need it. B&NES physiotherapy out-patients service provides holistic assessment and treatment for a range of painful joint, muscle and nerve problems. Physiotherapy Outpatient Musculoskeletal Service - Bath and North East Somerset Community Health and Care Services (bathneshealthandcare.nhs.uk)

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Who to see: POD in waiting room or Health Care Assistant

Advice: If you have been asked to provide a BP reading you can use our machine in our waiting room. You can have your BP recorded by the Nurse or Health Care Assistant at an appointment, and they will consult the GP if necessary.

Blood Tests

Who to see: Phlebotomist

Advice: Clinics are held daily at various times. Appointments for blood test must have been requested by your doctor or other health care professional. For warfarin monitoring it is preferred for all samples to be taken in the afternoons. If you are in doubt please call to speak to one of our receptionists who will advise you.

Blue Badge Forms

Who to see: Bath & North east Somerset Council

Advice: Please call 01225 477133 or email blue_badge@bathnes.gov.uk. Blue Badge application form can be found here: www.bathnes.gov.uk

Boils

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact a local pharmacy or NHS.uk for advice.

Breast Lump

Who to see: GP or Nurse

Advice: Although there may be nothing serious to worry about we would like to talk to you sooner rather than later. We would like to examine you so please be available to come to the surgery. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Bruised Ribs

Who to see: Self care or Minor Injury Unit

Advice: Please visit the Minor Injury Unit at Paulton Hospital

Burns

Who to see: Minor Injury Unit

Advice: If you are not sure if you need to be seen you can ask a local Pharmacist for advice. You can also visit the Minor Injury Unit at Paulton Hospital. If you would like some self care advice please telephone 111 or visit the NHS website.

Cellulitis

Who to see: GP or Nurse or District Nurse (if they already look after you)

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. You may need medication to reduce the infection and prevent it getting worse.

Cervical Smears

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Once you are invited, make an appointment with the Nurse. You will be invited by the NHS when you are due to have Cervical Screening.

Chest Infections

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: A cough will resolve usually in 10 days to 3 weeks or so. Talk to a Pharmacist for advice. If you find that your cough is not going, you already have a underlying breathing condition or the cough is getting worse please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Children's Immunisations

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Baby Clinic is run by our Practice Nurses, appointments needed for Immunisations. Find out more at: www.nhs.uk

Chronic Heart Disease

Who to see: Nurse or GP

Advice: Annual clinic appointment will be sent to CHD patients, please ask for an appointment if worried. We usually invite patients for a health check in the month of their birth.

Cold Sores

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy

Colds

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Antibiotics are not needed for the common cold as colds are caused by a virus. Find out more at www.nhs.uk

Constipation

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy

Contraception

Who to see: Family Planning Clinic or Specialist Nurse

Advice: Contraception and family planning appointments are available at various times every day.

Cough

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy

Cystitis

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy (our local Pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for minor complaints)

Dental Problems

Who to see: Dentist

Advice: Please book an appointment with your dentist, or find a Dentist near you: www.nhs.uk

Depression

Who to see: GP

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Diabetes Monitoring

Who to see: Nurse or GP

Advice: Routine annual clinic appointments will be sent to all our patients with diabetes. Patients are encouraged to book an appointment with our diabetes specialist nurse or their GP if they have any concerns at any other time and not to wait for their annual review.

Diarrhoea

Who to see: Pharmacy

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy

Diet/Lifestyle Changes

Who to see: Pharmacist / Health Care Assistant

Advice: Please make an appointment to discuss e.g. weight, exercise, diet, smoking etc.

Dizziness

Who to see: GP

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Ear Care

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: If you think you may need ear irrigation ('syringing' )please try over the counter products first. There are private services that are able to syringe ears or use micro-suction techniques. If symptoms do not resolve, please check the following information Find out more at: NHS Earwax Information.

Earache

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please visit your local Pharmacy.

Eczema

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Emergency Contraception

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please visit your local Pharmacy.

Eye Infection

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please visit your local Pharmacy.

Eye Injuries

Who to see: Minor Injury Clinic

Advice: Please visit the Minor Injury Unit at Paulton Hospital

Fit Note (Sick Note)

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Flu

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: You can purchase over the counter medications to help you with your symptoms. Flu is a viral condition and will resolve itself, find out more at www.nhs.uk

Forms, Certificates and Medicals

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist

Advice: Completion of forms, certificates and medicals are not covered under the NHS. You will be charged for these services. Please discuss your requirements with our reception team. Examples are insurance reports, HGV medicals, holiday cancellation forms. If we are unable to complete the forms you can approach private health services.

Fungal Infections

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please see your local Pharmacist.

General Advice

Who to see: NHS 111

Advice: For general advice please ring NHS 111 or visit www.NHS.uk online.

Genital Herpes

Who to see: Sexual health Clinic

Advice: There is a sexual health clinic based in Bath. The Riverside Clinic | For all your sexual health and contraceptive needs (ruh.nhs.uk)

Hay Fever

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please see your local Pharmacist. We do not prescribe over the counter Hayfever medications.

Head Injuries

Who to see: Minor Injury Unit

Advice: Please visit the Minor Injury Unit at Paulton Hospital

Head Lice

Who to see: Pharmacist / School Nurse

Advice: Please check NHS Information

Headaches

Who to see: Pharmacist, Nurse or GP

Advice: Pharmacists can offer you pain relief for headaches. It may be a good idea to have an eye test as visual disturbances can cause headaches in some cases. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Holiday Cancellation Certificate

Who to see: Private Service

Advice: Holiday Cancellation forms are not covered by the NHS, there will be a charge for this service. You can search on the internet for private healthcare providers.

Hyperventiliation

Who to see: GP or Nurse

Advice: Please contact the surgery as a matter of urgency, especially if this is for a child or baby. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Indigestion

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please visit your local pharmacy

Infected Wounds

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Ingrowing Toenails

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please see your local Pharmacist.

Insect Bites

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Insomnia

Who to see: GP or Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. Please ensure you book a routine appointment, or a double appointment, so you have long enough to talk through your symptoms. Lots of people experience problems sleeping at some point in their lives. Causes can be physical, psychological or a combination of both.

Insurance Reports

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist or contact a private service

Advice: Completion of forms, certificates and medicals are not covered under the NHS. You will be charged a fee. Please read the form carefully and fill in and sign any parts that you need to complete before you bring the form to the surgery. We ask that you allow at least 21 days for the process to be completed, you will be contacted by phone when your form is ready for collection. This may take longer if we are shorted staffed than usual.

Medical Reports

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist or private service

Advice: Completion of forms, certificates and medicals are not covered under the NHS. You will be charged a fee. Please read the form carefully and fill in and sign any parts that you need to complete before you bring the form to the surgery. We ask that you allow up to 21 days for the process to be completed, you will be contacted by phone when your form is ready for collection.

Missed Contraceptive

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Moles

Who to see: GP

Advice: We have GPs with specialist interest in dermatology. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Mouth Problems

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacy.

Nappy Rash

Who to see: Health visitor / Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Your health visitor will be able to offer you advice on treatment and let you know if they think you need intervention from a Nurse. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Neck Pain

Who to see: GP

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Nosebleeds

Who to see: Self care or GP (A+E if longer than 10 minutes)

Advice: Visit NHS.uk for advice on how to treat a nose bleed yourself. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Panic Attacks

Who to see: Self care or GP

Advice: Visit NHS.uk for advice. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Period Problems

Who to see: Self care or GP

Advice: Visit nhs.uk for advice. If you cannot cope with your symptoms or are worried please make a routine appointment with your GP. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Phobias

Who to see: GP

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Rashes

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacist.

Rectal Problems

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please contact your pharmacist for advice. If they think you need to be seen please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. If you have numbness in your rectum please contact the surgery for an appointment.

Removal of Stitches

Who to see: Nurse / Health Care Assistant

Advice: Please make an appointment with one of our Nurses or Health Care Assistants.

Shingles

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment. We do offer Shingles vaccines routinely. Visit NHS.uk to see if you are eligible.

Sick Certificates

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist

Advice: Telephone to speak to our reception team. You will be required to give them your exact requirements. We cannot post-date sick notes.

Sick Note (Fit Note)

Who to see: Inform the Receptionist

Advice: Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Sinusitis

Who to see: Self care or Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacist.

Skin Conditions

Who to see: Self care or Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacist.

Smoking Cessation

Who to see: Pharmacist or Health Care Assistant

Advice: Please ask our reception team who will send your details to our Health Care Assistant who will contact you. If you would like help sooner please visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree and Quit Now!

Sore Eyes

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacy.

Sore Penis

Who to see: Sexual health clinic or GP

Advice: Riverside sexual health clinic is based in Bath. Or please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Sore Throat

Who to see: Self care or Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacy if you are struggling to manage your symptoms.

Stings

Who to see: Self care or Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacy if you are struggling to manage your symptoms.

Styes

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Your Pharmacist will be able to advise you if you are not sure if you have a Stye. Or visit NHS.uk for advice. Please contact reception on 01761 413155 the usual way to make an appointment.

Sunburn

Who to see: Self care or Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local Pharmacist

Threadworm (tiny worms in your poo)

Who to see: Pharmacist

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacist.

Travel Vaccinations

Who to see: Nurse

Advice: Please make an appointment to discuss all your travel health needs. You will have a phone call first and then a face to face to receive any vaccines or medications you might need. Some may cost a small fee.

Urine Infections

Who to see: Pharmacist or Nurse

Advice: Please contact your local pharmacy. Our local pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for urine infections if required.

Vaginal Discharge

Who to see: Self care or Sexual Health clinic or Nurse

Advice: The Riverside sexual health clinic in Bath can help you. The Nurse can help if you feel that the discharge is not normal or you are not coping with your symptoms. You can check on NHS.uk to see if you should get medical help.

Verrucae

Who to see: Pharmacist or private service

Advice: Please see your local Pharmacist or search for a private clinic online. We do not treat verrucae at the surgery.

Vomiting

Who to see: Self care or GP/nurse

Advice: Usually an upset tummy will resolve. Drink plenty of fluids and get some rest. Visit NHS.uk for advice. They can advise if you need to speak to a GP or nurse. We would ask that you stay at home if you have sickness as often tummy bugs are very contagious.

Warts

Who to see: Pharmacist or private service

Advice: Please see your local Pharmacist.

Self help

Find out more about
symptoms and conditions.

Health A-Z

Practice news

Thursday 3rd October
Posted: 30/09/2024
We are launching our Patient Participation Group! (PPG)
Posted: 12/09/2024
More Practice News...

Health information at your fingertips

Find out about other services and useful links.