Please note that we are open for business even if our doors are shut. For urgent enquiries, please ring our surgeries at Holbrook or Shotley. For non-urgent issues, please use eConsult above.

Practice update from 1^st August 2020

We will continue to deal with your enquiries by using telephone triage, video consultations and electronic consultations as far as possible. We will only bring patients into practice if absolutely necessary.

Demand is continuing to increase with Mondays being exceptionally busy, Fridays are also busy and should be for urgent queries only that cannot wait over the weekend. If you can ring Tuesday to Thursday then this would help to spread the workload.

The following is our plan through August, though may be subject to change as the Government issues more guidance.

• eConsult – we recommend patients use eConsult for non-urgent queries including repeat Fit For Work Note/Sick Certificate requests, medication queries, referral to hospital which will send details to our GPs and staff and we can respond via a one way message. Visit https://holbrookandshotleysurgery.webgp.com/
• Some annual checks can be done partially or fully on eConsult. Go to https://holbrookandshotleysurgery.webgp.com/reviews and click on your condition. There are templates for Asthma, Diabetes, Thyroid, COPD, Hypertension, Contraceptive pill and also for a medication review. Complete the information as fully as possible and we will contact you if necessary once we receive this.  You may still be asked to come in but this will reduce the time of your appointment as we can gather information before you attend. 
• Medication reviews: if you have a medication review with our pharmacist, you will still need to order your repeat medication as normal.
• Face masks and coverings: all patients entering the surgery will be expected to wear a mask. If you believe you are exempt, please note that we are not able to issue exemption letters for patients and these are not required by law. Please visit the government website for further guidance on this.
• Front door - mornings: we will continue to run with staff member on the door in the mornings. Please wait to be invited in if you have an appointment and wait outside if you are collecting medication. You should maintain a 2m distance at all times for staff safety and yours. Spaces are clearly marked outside. Opening times will be extended to 08:00 - 12:00.
• Front door - afternoons: we have clearly marked social distancing spots both inside and outside each building. Please queue if necessary and wait your turn. When inside the building, please use the alcohol gel provided and stand at the marked space for dispensary or reception. Only one person at each desk and one person queuing allowed. This ensures there is space available for patients to wait safely for appointments. Opening times will be extended to 14:00 – 17:00 (except Thursday afternoon at Holbrook and Friday afternoon at Shotley when we will be closed as usual)
• Medication collections will continue on existing hours. Please allow 3-4 working days between ordering and collection. You do not need to ring to check if your medication is ready, as we will contact you if there is a manufacturing problem.
• Higher risk patients: shielding has ceased but we still need to keep our staff and patients safe. We will continue to see those who are at higher risk at Holbrook and others at Shotley. Higher risk will include those who previously had shielding letters, over 70s and pregnant ladies.
• Patients attending appointments: only the actual patient should come into waiting room. Children may be accompanied by only one parent. Elderly or infirm patients needing help should only have one person assisting them.
• PPE: if you are being seen for appointment, our clinical staff will wear appropriate PPE. This may include a face mask, gloves, apron and visor depending on your appointment type. Additional time has been allowed to clean rooms between each patient and change PPE. Some of our non-clinical staff may wearing hospital type scrubs whilst working on the door. 
• Screens: our plastic for the screens on dispensary and reception has still not arrived but we have some temporary screens. Distancing and short interaction time is paramount.
• Coronavirus symptoms: when you telephone the practice or visit in person, you will be asked if you have a temperature, a new continuous cough and/or loss of/change in taste or smell. If you are symptomatic we can still offer you a telephone or video appointment to discuss your symptoms.
• Repeat medication can be ordered online via eConsult, the NHS App or SystmOnline. If you have no online access, you can drop your repeat slip through the letterbox at either site. Note that the letterbox at Shotley is now on the main patient entrance door.
• Coronavirus testing is available for patients with symptoms via the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test website or ring 119 if no internet access.
• Antibody testing is still not available to the general public.
• A lip speaker is available for those who are hard of hearing. Contact Natalie Farrugia at nfbslpro@gmail.com or on 07860 373317. Natalie has kindly offered to help but is not employed by the practice. By contacting Natalie directly you understand the confidentiality issues.
• Childhood immunisations and baby checks – the midwife and health visitor are contacting patients and giving advice over the phone or organising for patients to come in when necessary. Parents should still bring their children for their immunisations and baby checks.
• Postnatal checks: our usual 6 week postnatal check will now be combined with the 8 week immunisations so you only need to attend once and will see both the nurse and doctor. This will be at our Holbrook site.
• Cervical screening – please phone us to book these as normal
• For mental health issues due to coronavirus visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/
• A number of thank you messages:
  • Special thanks to Stutton Community Shop for the delicious cakes presented to staff.
  • Also to our community groups, many of whom are now formalising their volunteers into Good Neighbour Schemes. We really appreciate their help and support.
  • To those patients who have taken the trouble to write in or contact me to express their gratitude and support for the practice.
  • And to our wonderful staff and doctors who have turned up for work day after day and continued to provide the fantastic service we pride ourselves on.

Opening Times (telephone calls only)

Prescription collection times

Welcome to Holbrook and Shotley Surgery

There are two main Surgeries, in Holbrook and Shotley. Both surgeries have dispensaries which will issue prescribed drugs to eligible patients (if you live within one mile of an independent Pharmacy we are not permitted to dispense to you.).

Both surgeries are well equipped, purpose designed buildings and are conveniently situated in the centres of their villages on bus routes.

Wheelchair access, disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are provided at both premises. In addition to the main surgeries, there is a surgery held at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, for pupils only.

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.

Serving You

Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.

Partners in Care

Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.

Our organisation is part of the My Care Record approach which is supporting the work of health and care organisations across the East of England as they respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For example, we are working to make sure doctors, nurses and co-ordination staff at places you may receive advice or treatment can see important information from your patient record. This could include NHS  treatment centres such as the London NHS Nightingale Hospital. This will make it easier and faster for them to deliver effective care.

Exercising guidelines for patients with a diagnosis of dementia, learning disabilities or autism, or who has significant mental health needs.

Click here for more information.

Suffolk Wellbeing Service

Click here for more Information.