Welcome to Mercheford House Surgery

Monday 1^st August

A message from Mercheford House

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your ongoing support whilst Dr Ulla takes emergency sick leave. She is very grateful for your kind wishes. She is now stable, and getting treatment but it will be some weeks before she will be able to return. Dr Zubair and the management team are working as hard as they can to keep a safe service operating.

There may be days over this summer when we will only be able to care for urgent medical problems on the day. Be assured, we will return to normal service as soon as possible.

You may be aware from the Government’s own Health Select Committee report published on 25 July 2022, that we are facing a severe workforce crisis. It is an even bigger challenge to recruit staff and find locum GP cover in rural locations, such as March.

Please be patient with us at this difficult time.

Our staff are trying their best under enormous pressure.

In the last month we have:

Offered 3840 appointments

Issued 5967 prescriptions

As well as handling thousands of calls and contacts.

Abuse of Staff:

Sadly, a very small number of patients have been verbally abusing our staff – these behaviours are regrettable but are thankfully a minority. We have a Zero Tolerance policy against such abuse.

The ongoing support shown by the vast majority of our patients, in such difficult times for the NHS, means so much to all of our dedicated staff – Thank you.

Mercheford House Surgery

On a Hospital Waiting List for an Appointment or an Operation?

The Covid19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody.

We appreciate that hospital waiting lists are causing worry and uncertainty.  Unfortunately, the practice has no access to the hospital waiting list information.

• Please use the new NHS My Planned Care platformthat is available online and provides access to the latest average wait time for appointments and operations for local hospitals, as well as helpful advice and support for patients whilst they wait.
• NHS My Planned Care is updated weekly, and has ‘open access’ enabling carers, friends, and relatives to access information on someone else’s behalf.
• You can also contact PALS (the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service). See below:

Addenbrookes PALS

• 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
• Email pals@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
• Phone: 01223 216756

Peterborough City Hospital PALS

• 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
• Email: Nwangliaft.pals@nhs.net
• Phone: 01733 673405

Hinchingbrooke Hospital PALS

• 9am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Email: Hch-tr.pals@nhs.net
• Phone: 01480 428964

Royal Papworth Hospital PALS

• 8.30 – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Email: papworth.pals@nhs.net
• Tel: 01223 638896 or 01223 638963

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn PALS

• 9am – 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am – 4.30pm on Friday
• E-mail: pals@qehkl.nhs.uk
• Phone: 01553 613351 or 01553 613343

Please call the practice if your condition has genuinely deteriorated, when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken.

Coronavirus Update

• Further information on wearing face coverings

At this time only attend the surgery when you have been advised of your appointment time by a member of the Practice team. Please wear a face covering and observe social distancing when attending the surgery, as many patients may be at high risk due to their severe health conditions.

We are not able to provide letters of proof of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Instead, please access what you need for travel here:  gov.uk/demonstrating-your-vaccine-status

Download the NHS COVID 19 app

Get tested for coronavirus

• Symptoms
  Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you or your child has them.
• Testing
  Get a test to check if you have coronavirus, find out what testing involves and understand your test result.
• Self-isolation and treating symptoms
  Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.
• People at higher risk
  Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.
• Long-term effects (long COVID)
  Find out about the long-term effects coronavirus can sometimes have and what help is available.
• Social distancing and changes to everyday life
  Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services.
• Take part in research
  Find out about health research studies and how you may be able to take part.

For further information go to nhs.uk/coronavirus or gov.uk/coronavirus