Hampstead Group Practice

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS - Update on phlebotomy services at the Royal Free Hospital

From 21 November 2019, the Royal Free Hospital adult blood test service will be by appointment only. There will no walk in service available from that date except for paediatric blood tests. Please click here for further details. 

New Name for our Reception Team

In recognition of the broad range of tasks undertaken by our Reception Team, their name has been changed to Patient Services Team. They will continue to provide you with the same services as before and will make their best efforts to provide excellent help and support.

PLEASE ENSURE THE PRACTICE HAS YOUR UP-TO-DATE TELEPHONE MOBILE NUMBER

Effective 1st July 2019, we are expanding the use of Text Messaging. Text messages will now be used for:

• Appointment reminders direct from the clinical system
• Flu or other vaccination clinics for targeted eligible populations
• Chronic disease review invitations
• Cervical screening
• Blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring
• Smoking status updates
• Invitations for patient educational sessions (e.g. diabetic self-help groups)
• Invitations to participate in research studies*
• Requests to contact the practice to arrange appointment or services

Texts will not normally be used for important issues. Where an important matter is to be conveyed to the patient, a letter or other similar reliable method must be used.

Texts will not, under any circumstances, be used to convey information which may be alarming or distressing to the patient.

*Please note, such participation is always voluntary and doesn't affect your clinical care in any way.

SATURDAY OPENING HOURS - 2019

We will be open from 9:00 a.m to 12 noon on the following selected dates for pre-booked appointments only. We will be closed on all other Saturdays.

• January - 5th, 19th
• February - 2nd, 16th
• March - 2nd, 16th, 30th
• April - 13th, 27th
• May - 11th, 18th
• June - 1st, 15th, 29th 
• July - 13th, 27th
• August - 10th, 31st 
• September - 14th, 28th
• October - 12th, 26th
• November - 9th, 23rd 
• December - 7th, 21st
• January (2020) - 11th, 18th

PRACTICE CLOSURE

We will be closed on Thursday 28th November 2019 from 10.15 am to 12.45 for staff training. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. For emergency medical care that cannot wait until we reopen at 12.45 please call 07956 899311. Please note this number is to be used on the specified date and times only.

If you require medical assistance outside of our normal practice opening hours, please dial 111

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS (GDPR)

GDPR comes into full effect on 25 May 2018. It, together with a new UK Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018), will replace the existing Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK. GDPR sets out requirements for how organisations will need to handle personal data from 25th May 2018. It expands the rights of individuals to control how their personal data is collected and processed, and places a range of new obligations on organisations to be more accountable for data protection. Please click here for further details.

CAMDEN GP HUBS

On 1 December 2017, Camden CCG launched its new extended GP access service.

The Camden GP hubs will offer local patients seven day access to pre-bookable and same-day GP appointments at accessible local locations. The aim is to improve experience and access to primary care and to reduce pressure on local urgent and emergency care services.

The service will be provided by AT Medics, who were appointed earlier this year following a robust procurement process. Their service model is based on an NCL-wide specification and engagement with local patients and practices.

Appointments will be available to Camden residents, and those registered with a Camden GP, at four general practices:

• Brondesbury Medical Centre, NW6 7JQ: Monday to Friday, 6.30-8pm and Saturday, 8am-8pm.
• Somers Town Medical Centre, NW1 1HY: Monday to Friday, 6.30-8pm and Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, 8am-8pm.
• Caversham Group Practice, NW5 2UP: Monday to Friday, 6.30-8pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am-8pm.
• Swiss Cottage Surgery, NW3 3NP: Monday to Friday, 6.30-8pm and Saturday, 8am-8pm.

Patients will be able to directly book an appointment at the hub of their choice by calling a dedicated phone line: 020 7391 9979 (open 8am-8pm, seven days a week from 1 December 2017). Alternatively, patients can request an appointment via their own general practice or by completing an online request form on the service website: www.camdengphubs.co.uk (live from 1 December).

PRACTICE EARNINGS

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Hampstead Group Practice in the last financial year (2018-19) was £43,485 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 17 part-time GPs and 1 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.

NAMED ACCOUNTABLE GP

From 1 April 2015 all GP Practices are required to allocate a named, accountable GP to ALL patients. The named accountable GP will take lead responsibility for the coordination of all services required by the patient and ensure they are delivered, where required, (based on the clinical judgement of the named accountable GP).

Patients will be informed of their named accountable GP at the first appropriate interaction with the Practice.

If you wish to be told the name of your accountable GP, please ask at Reception when you are next in the Practice.

Please note: there is no need to telephone the Practice for this information.

If you have a preference as to which GP you are assigned,the Practice will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the request. If you would not like a named accountable GP please inform the Practice.

Having a named GP does not prevent you from seeing any other doctor in the Practice.

For patients aged 75 and over, the named accountable GP is responsible for working with relevant associated health and social care professionals to deliver a multi-disciplinary care package that meets the needs of the patient and ensuring that these patients have access to an annual health check.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - DATA SHARING

There are currently three data sharing initiatives. 

• Summary Care Records (SCR) - National initiative
• Camden Intergrated Digital Record (CIDR) - National initiative
• Care.data - National initiative 

Please click here for further information about each of the data sharing projects and to download the opt out forms if you wish to opt out of data sharing.  

Online Services with Patient Access:    

We currently offer the following online services for patients aged 18 years and over:

• Book, amend, cancel and check your appointment on-line
• View and Order repeat prescriptions
• Update your address and contact details
• View detailed coded information for the following sections of your medical records: 

1. Medications
2. Test results
3. Immunisations
4. Allergies and Adverse reactions
5. Problems
6. Consultations
7. Documents (as of 31st March 2017)

Please ask at Reception for further details

PLEASE NOTE ACCESS DETAILS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN TO PATIENTS FACE TO FACE WITH PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION

To register for the online services please visit the Practice and speak to a member of the reception team. Please note that once you are provided with online access login you can download the app if you have a smartphone.

Saturday Opening

From April 2018 we will be open on selected Saturdays only for pre-booked appointments. Please see the appointments page for more details.

Out of Hours

If you require medical assistance which cannot wait until the surgery re-opens, please dial 111. For more information visit www.nhs.uk/111. Please note that this number is only to be used between the hours of 6.30pm and 8am during the week or throughout the weekend. See the complaints and commendations page for details on how to contact 111 if you wish to leave them feedback.

Patient Survey Results 2017

Did you know that 99.4% of our patients rated their visit with a doctor or nurse as either excellent, very good or good?

Please click here to view our patient survey results along with our patient participation action plan.