NHS Friends and Family Test
NHS Friends and Family Test The Friends and Family Test is a way of gathering your feedback, so we can continually review our service. It is based on one simple question: “How likely are you to recommend our GP practice to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?” You also have the opportunity […]
Summary Care Record Information
The Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had. Why do I need a Summary Care Record? Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, […]
Carers
For Our Dear Carers Caring for a loved one is incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating at times. We want to say a huge thank you for the fantastic job you do every day. Please inform the surgery if you are a carer. This will be recorded on your notes and […]
Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Would you be interesed in joining our group? Would you like to learn more about the changes in the NHS and how these affect you as a patient? Would you like to contribute to the development of services within the practice? Would you like to support the commissioning of health services for the wider population? […]
Practice Social Media Zero Tolerance
PLEASE CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF YOUR ONLINE ACTIVITY BEFORE YOU POST A COMMENT Following activity on Social Media where patients of Bishop’s Close Medical Practice have posted derogatory comments about the practice and some of our staff; we now have a Social Media Zero Tolerance Policy in place. If any such posts are brought to […]
Veteran Information
Our Commitment to you as a Veteran of the UK Armed Forces The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you […]
Zero Tolerance
Our Policy This Practice adopts a ZERO TOLERANCE approach to violence and aggression. Aggressive and violent behaviour is considered to be any personal, threatening or abusive language (cursing or swearing), gestures (including sexual), physical contact, derogatory sexual or racial remarks, shouting at any persons or applying force to any Practice property or the property of […]
You and Your General Practice
A new guide from NHS England, You and Your General Practice, describes what practices and patients can expect of each other. Patients are encouraged to be on time, be prepared, and avoid wasted appointments by cancelling early. Patients can ask to be supported by general practices in a variety of ways. You and Your General […]
Well Baby Clinic
Tuesday 9:30am – 11:30am These clinics are for routine developmental checks and immunisations, the health visitor and a GP are present in each clinic. This clinic is for well babies so please do not use it to consult about your baby’s illness. It is very important that your child is immunised against all childhood diseases. […]
Nurses and Healthcare Assistants
Practice Nurses Senior Practice Nurse Angela: Senior Practice Nurse and Independent Prescriber Angela can diagnose and treat minor illnesses, skin conditions and other minor ailments. Practice Nurse Janet: The Practice Nurse undertakes a wide range of procedures including: Smears Baby Immunisations Injections Wound Management She can also give advice on long term conditions and are […]
Preventing Accidents in the Home
Accidental injuries in and around the home are one of the leading causes of serious harm and death in young children in the UK. However most of these accidents are preventable. Each year, it is estimated that around 2 million children under the age of 15 are taken to accident and emergency (A&E) after being […]
National Diabetes Audit (NDA)
This Practice is taking part in an important national project about diabetes care and treatment in the NHS. The project is called the National Diabetes Audit (NDA). To take part, we will be sharing information about your diabetes care and treatment with the NDA. The type of information, and how it is shared, is controlled […]
Mental Health
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health. Mental health disorders take many different forms and affect people in different ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders […]
Long Term Health Conditions
Asthma / COPD Checks By appointment only with Practice Nurse The Practice Nurses can give advice on all aspects of Asthma and COPD management, including inhaler techniques, and have access to a large range of informative leaflets. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Checks Provides support to patients who suffer Respiratory Problems such as Chronic Bronchitis […]
Non NHS Services
Medical examinations for special purposes can be arranged by appointment, e.g.: Elderly drivers HGV licence Insurance pre-employment medicals Some services fall outside the NHS and for these a charge will be made. These include the following: Bupa/PPP forms Private medical examinations for sports, school, insurance or employment A full list of these services is displayed […]
Investigations / Results
Laboratory Specimens If you are asked to hand in a specimen, please ensure that we receive it by 11:00am (in the correct container, obtained from the Surgery, marked with name, date of birth and date of sample). Similarly, if you need a blood test please make a morning appointment. Results and Investigations Results of blood […]
Integrated Care
Care Coordinators Sedgefield North Integrated Care Service Do you need help or support to remain independent? Care Coordinators can work with people who have long term conditions or complex care needs. They can find the right level of support to enable you to live as independently as possible, ensuring you receive the right support at […]
General Health Checks
All of our adult patients may attend for a Health Check where weight, height and blood pressure etc. will be measured and our nurse can advise on diet, smoking and other aspects of lifestyle that may affect your health. The nurses offer advice to anybody concerned about their lifestyle and its implications. Cholesterol screening is […]
Choosing Well
Finding the right health service for you and your family Self Care: The best choice for minor illnesses Try the online symptom checker: www.nhs.uk/symptomchecker Keep a well stocked medicine cabinet, guidance can be found at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pharmacy/Pages/Yourmedicinecabinet.aspx www.patient.co.uk is an online resource loaded with tips and advice on the different self care options and how to […]
Management and Admin Staff
Business Manager and Practice Manager Marie Carfoot: Practice Business Manager Brian Wilson: Practice Manager If you wish to make any enquiries or have a comment about the service we provide, Brian will be happy to help. Reception Staff Michelle: Reception Supervisor Medical Receptionists: Shelby | Kelly | Eve | Michelle | Emma | Chloe Our […]
eConsult: Online Appointments
Submitting an eConsult Please read: Important Patient Information when submitting an eConsult eConsult eConsultations are a great way to send in general queries rather than by telephone. They are all reviewed by our Care Navigators and allocated accordingly to the most appropriate clinician. An eConsultation does not mean an automatic appointment.If you are unwell, we […]
British Heart Foundation: Quick Guides
The BHF Mission The BHF mission is to win the fight against cardiovascular disease and our vision is a world in which people do not die prematurely or suffer from cardiovascular disease. Watch these two short YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRb7mSGMIcw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQtz2wYBFsE&t=2s Quick Guides to Download Quick Guide to Angioplasty Quick Guide to Angiogram Quick Guide to […]
Accessible Information Standard
Making Health Care Information Accessible The aim of the accessible information standard is to make sure that people with a medical condition which affects their ability to communicate, get information that they can access and understand, and have any communication support they might need The standard tells organisations how to make information accessible to people […]
Practice Privacy Policy
BISHOPS CLOSE MEDICAL PRACTICE has a legal duty to explain how we use any personal information we collect about you, as a registered patient at the practice. Employees at this practice maintain records about your health and the treatment you receive in electronic and paper format. Introduction to Our Privacy Policy Within our Privacy Policy […]
Do you pay for your prescriptions?
Prescriptions are free for: Men and women over sixty Pregnant women with a valid maternity certificate Children under sixteen or up to nineteen in full-time education Mothers of babies under twelve months People who receive income support (check list on form P11 from Social Security or Post Office) People with family credit Certain chronic conditions […]
Local Pharmacies
For minor illness advice and treatment i.e. diarrhoea, runny nore, cough etc.: Your Local Boots: 01388 814 976 Co-op Pharmacy: 01388 815 536 Millers Pharmacy: 01388 816 158 ASDA Pharmacy: 01388 420 249
Pharmaceutical Services
There are four Pharmacies in Spennymoor all within easy reach of the health centre. Services provided include: The dispensing of both NHS and private prescriptions Ostomy and incontinence supplies Surgical hosiery and trusses All of the Pharmacies will order and collect your prescriptions from the surgery and have them ready for you to collect. […]
Electronic Prescription
Nominated Pharmacy This practice now offers the Electronic Prescription Service , so if you have nominated a pharmacy, your GP will send all future prescriptions electronically to your preferred pharmacy. If you would like to take advantage of this service and haven’t yet completed a nomination form, you should either ask your preferred pharmacy to […]
Our Community Staff
Community Staff are employed by the Primary Care Trust and work alongside the Medical Staff Based at the Practice. Midwives The Midwives work closely with the Doctors in providing care for all expectant mothers. In addition to running Ante-Natal Clinics, they work with the Health Visitor in helping to prepare couples for the birth and […]
Out of Hours
What to do when your GP practice is closed: If it’s a life-threatening emergency call 999 If you need medical help but it’s not an emergency call 111 During normal practice opening hours, the practice remains your first point of contact for all routine requests. NHS 111 is the number to call when you need […]
Get the best from your Appointment
How to get the Best from your GP Appointment Top Tips. . . Ask yourself: How important is it that I’m seen quickly, or would I be better waiting for an appointment with a particular GP? If you have a long-term condition you’ll probably benefit from a GP who knows you. Don’t be put off […]
Fit for Work Certificate
If you are absent from work due to illness for less than seven working days you need to obtain a SC2 from your employer. If after seven days you are still unwell you will need to see a doctor for a medical certificate, however, if you have been under the care of a hospital, the doctor may […]
Appointments with the Nurse
We operate a booked appointment system for all clinics. When booking your appointment please let Reception know what your appointment is for, so that they can advise you when would be the best time for you to come and the length of appointment you require. Nurses are available by appointment for: ear syringing skin infections […]
Antibiotic Use
Use of antibiotics Antibiotics are important medicines to help treat infections that are caused by bacteria. Different antibiotics are used to kill different types of bacteria. They can be used to treat relatively mild conditions such as acne as well as potentially life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia (a type of lung infection). Antibiotics are usually […]
How to Register with Us
Please use the link below to access the New Patient Registration Form online: Register with Bishops Close Medical Practice Online Service: making it easier for patients to register We are using a new online service that makes it easy to register with the practice without the need to complete written forms. New patients just need […]
Website Disclaimer
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Accessibility Statement
Statement We are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so adhere to many of the available standards and guidelines. This section explains how we ensure that our […]