As o
Welcome to Theatre Royal Surgery
Download our September 2020 Newsletter by clicking here.
As of 01 July 2020 patients can now book directly into our Musculoskeletal assessment clinics. These are run by Specialist Physiotherapists and provide rapid access to assessment and advice for anyone suffering with joint pains or injury.
They can provide you with information and guidance on how to manage your condition as well as exercise and treatment advice. They will be able to liaise with GPs if required or refer on to other services if they feel it is appropriate.
For more information or to book an appointment simply contact your practice.
Ultrasound Guided Steroid Injections at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
Radiology have not been able to provide an image guided steroid injection service due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent national guidance from multiple specialist bodies. This will remain the status quo for the foreseeable future.
Hospital Blood Tests
We are aware that many of our patients will be asked by their hospital consultants to request to book a blood test at the surgery prior to a hospital appointment.
Unfortunately the request for hospital phlebotomy puts an increased demand on our services that we are unable to sustain. We employ 2 HCA's offering phlebotomy clinics every day but the wait for blood tests that our own GPs request is often over two weeks. If we were to accept taking bloods for the hospital when requested, a service for which we receive no funding, this would lead to further delays which could impact patient heath if onward referrals are then needed.
We appreciate that this does have an impact for patients having to travel to the hospital but the demands on general practice, both for doctors, nurses and practice staff is now so great that decisions have had to be taken regarding which services we are able to maintain to ensure that we are able to provide a manageable and clinically safe service for our patients. Services and work for third parties for which we receive no funding will obviously be the first to be lost.
There are certain blood tests that will be offered by the practice such as for those patients requiring monitoring for certain drugs under the Shared Care Agreement with the hospitals, pre chemo and transfusion bloods. We are continually making the hospital consultants aware that it is the hospital responsibility to provide clinic facilities for blood tests that their consultants request and to inform their patients of this. Thank you for your understanding.
GP Practice Transparency Notice for GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19)
Our practice is supporting vital Coronavirus (COVID-19) planning and research by sharing your data with NHS Digital. For further information please see the "Practice Policies" section of our website.
CORONAVIRUS
July 2020 Update
In order to provide the best service we can whilst keeping our patients, staff and visitors safe, the surgery has taken some precautions when attending the surgery as detailed below:
- Our opening hours are returning to normal as of Monday 06 July 2020. We will no longer be closed over lunchtime and the desk will be available between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday (the doors to the surgery will still be locked for the time being and we will update on this as soon as we receive further guidance)
- The majority of appointments with our GPs and Nurse Practitioners are still being carried out via telephone triage first, if following triage the clincian feels an appointment is required then this will be arranged with you
- We ask that all patients continue to wear a face mask (or covering such as a bandana or scarf) when attending the surgery for any matters (this applies to attending the surgery for any matter and includes but is not limited to attending appointments)
- When visiting the surgery please ensure that you follow the 2 metre social distancing rule at all times
- We have implemented a one way system in part of the surgery to help maintain social distancing measures, please ensure that you follow the signs and instructions that may be given to you by staff
- Please ensure that you use the hand sanitiser provided before and after your appointment
March 2020 Update
Following advice from NHS England in view of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) update, as from Monday 16 March 2020 all routine appointments with a doctor or nurse practitioner will first be assessed by telephone triage.
Following your telephone assessment, if the doctor feels you need to be seen face to face then arrangements will be made accordingly.
Our priority remains to offer medical care to our patients with the most urgent medical needs, which may mean we have to suspend some services or are unable to see patients for routine appointments.
In line with the NHS guidance we have temporarily suspended the option of booking appointments online, this allows for all appointments to be triaged by telephone.
We are kindly asking patients not to attend the surgery for ANY routine matters. Please only attend if you have a prebooked appointment with one of our clinicians. Even then we ask that do not come to the surgery if you, or anybody in your household, has any of the following:
- A new, continuous cough
- A temperature
- A loss of/change in smell or taste
No matter how mild the symptoms are.
For infection control purposes and to help protect our patients and staff, we will be locking the doors to the surgery.
We are still open to deal with urgent matters and see patients who have prebooked appointments with one of our clinicians.
If you have an appointment with a clinician or for an urgent matter that cannot be dealt with via the phone, please knock and wait patiently for a receptionist to come and assist you.
If a receptionist is required to come and serve you, for their safety and yours, please stand at least 2 metres back from the doors.
For any other urgent matters please phone the surgery team who will be able to assist you via the telephone.
For prescription requests:
- If you have access to the online services please request all prescriptions online, if the item is not listed please type this manually in the custom request box
- If you usually collect your repeat prescriptions from Theatre Royal Pharmacy, please phone them to make a request
- If you are unable to order via telephone directly with your nominated pharmacy, please phone the surgery reception team on 01362 852800, option 2, who will be able to temporarily take requests for repeat prescriptions over the phone
- If you are already in the surgery, please place your repeat slip in the box in the foyer and do not come to the surgery reception desk. Please do not make a trip to do this, aim to request all prescriptions online or via the telephone for the time being
All other urgent queries need to be dealt with via the telephone at this time.
These measures are being put in place as a precautionary measure to protect both public and staff.
We will update our website as soon as the situation changes.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding and cooperation at this difficult time.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE GUIDANCE PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND:
If you have been to any of the affected areas in the last 14 days:
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with others
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS ADVICE EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS.
* Do not go to work, school or public areas *
* Avoid visitors in your home *
SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
VISIT NHS.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION
ASTHMA RESCUE PACKS
Asthma UK has issued the following advice regarding patients with asthma requesting rescue packs:
"We’ve been made aware of some posts on social media, saying that if you have a respiratory/lung disease your GP will issue a rescue pack of steroids and antibiotics. This is recommended for some people with COPD to be used as part of a personalised plan. However for people with asthma, we do NOT recommend these as standard.
If someone’s asthma is bad enough to consider steroids it is essential they are assessed by a healthcare professional. Even at this busy time for the NHS, getting early support for any problems with your lungs is critical to keep you well and out of hospital."
We will therefore not be issuing rescue packs for our patients with asthma. If you feel that your symptoms have flared and you are concerned, please call the surgery to arrange a telephone call with one of the GPs.
OPENING HOURS
Surgery opening hours will be returning to normal as of Monday 06 July 2020.
Reception desk opening hours will be as follows:
Monday 8am to 6pm
Tuesday 8am to 6pm
Wednesday 8am to 6pm
Thursday 8am to 6pm
Friday 8am to 6pm
Phone lines will be open for urgent matters as follows:
Monday 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Tuesday 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Wednesday 8.30am to 11am and 2pm to 6pm
Thursday 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Friday 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Our Surgery
Theatre Royal Surgery takes pride in offering the highest standard of patient-centred healthcare.
We offer clinics for chronic disease care and offer a wide variety of other medical services such as antenatal and postnatal care, minor surgery, childhood vaccinations as well as online access enabling patients to book certain types of appointment and order repeat medication.
Theatre Royal Surgery is a teaching practice and works with the UEA Medical School providing tuition to first year medical students.
In addition to everything you need to know about the practice you will also find a wealth of health-related information in the menu at the top of this page or under useful features located at the bottom of the site.
We welcome feedback about our practice and the new website so please don't hesitate to get in touch and give us your views.
(Site updated 15/10/2020)