 | ACCESS TO GP APPOINTMENTSAll GP appointment requests are now triaged by a GP - please use the link to request an appointment: APPOINTMENT LINKBy triaging appointments prior to booking we are able to collect more information from you at the time of requesting an appointment in order to make sure that you receive the most appropriate advice, from the most suitable person, in the quickest time possible. If you are calling for test results, prescription or any other queries, please call after 10am. You can read more information about accessing GP appointments here: ACCESSING GP APPOINTMENTS |
 | ** SAVE THE DATE - TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2023 **If you're an adult who will be 75 years or over on by 30 June, someone aged between 5 and 74 with a weakened immune system, or a resident in a care home, you can take up the spring COVID-19 Booster offer.Eligible patients will be invited in the coming weeks to have a Covid vaccine booster at the practice. If you have a mobile number on your GP record this will be sent as a text message so keep an eye on your phone (or the phones of your older relatives). We have yet to receive details on which vaccine we will be using or delivery dates - once we have this information we will send invitations out. Please don't call us yet if you haven't heard and watch this space for further information. |
! SUSPICIOUS NHS TEXTS !
We have received reports of a text scam that appears to use a genuine NHS appointment reminder number. Please be aware that the NHS will never require patients to provide personal details or payment by responding to a text. If you receive a suspicious text do not call the number, reply or click any links. If you need to check about an appointment, you should contact the practice in the usual way. Suspicious texts should be reported to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime.
Thank you to our Patient Participation Group (PPG) for reporting this to us - if you would like to find out more about our PPG and how you can get involved, please follow the link: The Valleys Medical Practice PPG.
UPDATE 26/04/23:
We have also received a report that a patient has taken a call on her landline from a caller who stated that they were ringing from a 'medical centre', regarding eligibility for alarms. The caller hung up when the patient asked questions. Please remember to never share your personal details, including bank account details.
Medicines Order Line - Call 01246 588860
All telephone requests for repeat prescriptions are dealt with by the Medicines Order Line (MOL). The MOL is open between 08:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday and patients can telephone their request through, or email the MOL and request a callback. The MOL aims to reduce medicines wastage and help to reduce NHS costs.
The MOL is in addition to other options available for repeat prescription ordering, including NHS App, online ordering via the GP practice through SystmOnline and electronic Repeat dispensing (eRD) also known as batch prescriptions.
If you have trouble getting through to the Medicines Order Line, please try calling at one of their less busier times (click here to see peak and off peak periods). Alternatively, you can use the Medicines Order Line Callback Service which enables patients to email the MOL and receive a call back within 2 working days. To use this service you will need to provide the information below via email to ddccg.northMOLonlinerequests@nhs.net:
- The name of your GP practice
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your contact telephone number (please do not give the number of a line that will not accept incoming calls)
Third parties ie pharmacies, will no longer be able to order medicines for patients, unless the pharmacy requests to continue to manage repeat medication requests for an individual patient as the patient is unable to order their medication themselves
For further information about ordering prescriptions please click here
Face coverings: when to wear one
Face coverings are no longer mandatory for our patients to wear when they visit the practice. However, we do ask that you continue to wear one in the surgery if you have any symptoms of cold, flu or other respiratory symptoms
First Contact Physio
Have a musculoskeletal problem and want to speak to someone at the surgery? Initially you are likely to be directed to one of our First Contact Physios (FCPs) who are experts at diagnosing and treating these problems, and have the ability to refer you on for further tests if necessary. We'd encourage all of our patients to engage with them as outcomes have been shown to be better than speaking to a doctor first!
Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioners (FCPs) work alongside your GP and Nurse Practitioner as part of the General Practice team. They are Physiotherapists with advanced skills that provide expert assessment for people with injuries to bones, muscles and joints, or longer term conditions like low back pain, neck pain and arthritis. The FCPs will diagnose what’s happening and give expert advice on how to best manage your condition. They may also refer you on for a course of Physiotherapy treatment, to other specialist services or for investigations such as X-rays, MRI scans and blood tests if necessary.
You can book to speak to our FCPs directly, without the need to see a GP, by contacting your practice’s reception.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire
The changes in our everyday lives due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic mean that many of us may be experiencing a decline in our emotional and mental wellbeing. This can range from feeling a little low and worried to severe anxiety or depression.
To prevent things from getting worse, it’s important that we know where to go for support when we need it. Here in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, the Place Alliance group have pulled together a summary of support options available in the area - to view these support options, click here
We remain open, although the way you contact us is different to pre-coronavirus. Please consider using online resources such as 111.nhs.uk
If you want to discuss your symptoms with a GP, you can still do this, either by submitting an AccuRx on our practice website, using the link at the top of this page, or by speaking to a member of our admin team. Our helpful admin staff may ask you some additional questions, please help them to direct you to the most appropriate person to deal with your query. If your doctor feels that you need a face to face appointment, this will be arranged.
Please do not come to the surgery if you have symptoms that could be coronavirus (cough, fever, loss of taste/smell), please use online services.
Thankyou for helping us to help you stay safe.
To see video animation explaining how you can continue to access your GP Practice, click here
#helpushelpyou #nhs
Our staff need you to help us to help you.
Please use NHS services wisely. Self-care, pharmacies, or visiting NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) to check symptoms should always be the first step in treatment, unless your condition is potentially life-threatening or you suspect you might be developing a serious underlying health condition, such as cancer
Click here to see information from the Derby & Derbyshire health community
Please note – in line with national guidance we have suspended the facility for patients to book appointments online.
Social Media - Facebook and Twitter
The Valleys Medical Partnership now have a Facebook page and are also on Twitter - check us out at Facebook - The Valleys and Twitter - The Valleys
Visit us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Self Help
Please note that booking an appointment with a doctor may not be the most appropriate way to deal with your problem. We encourage our patients to take responsible action to care for themselves, where appropriate. You can find information about common conditions that normally resolve without the need to see or speak to a doctor or nurse on the self-care page of our website.
We now offer the opportunity for our patients to self-refer to some services without the need to see a doctor first. You can now access care directly for physiotherapy, foot care, counselling & talking therapies, audiology, citizens' advice, weight management, stop smoking, family planning and drug & alcohol services. Please see our self-referral page for full details.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
GDPR is an update of the Data Protection Act to provide increased protection for each individual's personal data. The new regulations come into force on 25th May 2018. GDPR requires us to process the data we hold on you fairly, lawfully & transparently. You can find out more details by clicking on the Practice Policies link at the bottom of this page, where you will find a copy of our privacy notice. The notice explains what data we hold, what we do with it & why, who it goes to and the rights you have over it. You can also read our leaflet about How We Use Your Information.
Information sharing
The practice has the facility to share your record when you need to receive care from other parts of the NHS (for example, if you need to see our community nurses or if you attend for physiotherapy). When you receive care from another part of the NHS, you will be asked for permission to share your record and information is only shared with your permission. This is extremely helpful for all staff within the NHS. You can find out more information about this by clicking on this link: https://derbyshirehealthcarerecords.org.uk/
General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDfPR)
This practice is supporting vital health and care planning and research by sharing your data with NHS Digital.
The Valleys Medical Partnership Privacy Notice can be accessed under the section above, headed 'General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), and clicking on the Practice Policies link.
Please click here to see information for patients, including an opt out form.
Are you a carer?
If you care for someone, please let the practice know. We can provide details of extra support available locally. You may wish to take a look at Derbyshire Carers Association website, which contains a wealth of useful resources.
(Site updated 25/05/2023)