DVLA - Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
Many GPs may not feel confident to advise patients whether they are fit to drive or not, and in normal circumstances a factual report would be supplied to the DVLA so that their expert medical advisers can decide upon fitness. If an opinion is provided that someone is fit, and then an accident occurs, questions may be raised around the judgement of the GP. If the GP states the patient is not fit, then this can adversely affect the long-term relationship with that patient. For these reasons, if there is any doubt about whether a person is fit to drive, the GP should decline to provide this assurance, and should write to DVLA explaining that an opinion cannot be given but offer to provide factual information about a person’s health.
Disposing of Unwanted Medication
Please do not leave unwanted medication or sharps on our doorsteps as this could potentially be very dangerous. Medication should be removed from the cardboard boxes and put sealed in a plastic bag. Used or unused needles should be secured within sharps bins that have been properly sealed. Items should then be brought to the surgery and handed into dispensary for safe destruction.
Extended Hours: the practice offers appointments to patients on various days through the week outside our core contracted hours. When a bank holiday or training day falls at the same time as we would normally offer extended hours, we will reallocate the appointments, usually during the same week. Please contact our receptionists to find out when we can offer appointments for any given week or check online and book through the NHS App or SystmOnline.
Try the new NHS App
If you’re a patient at our practice you can now use the new NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.
If you already use SystmOnline you can continue to use it. You can use the NHS App as well.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp
Suffolk InfoLink
Suffolk InfoLink provides a search engine that uses key words and location criteria to find information about all sorts of local services, activities, advice, information and support, which are extremely useful resource for reception staff and patients.
Examples include:
- Charities and Voluntary Organisations
- Children’s Centres
- Local Groups such as scouts
- International Community Groups
- Support Groups such as drug and alcohol misuse groups
- Learning and Physical Disability Services
http://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/home.page
Please see dates affected under Opening Times
Are you entitled to a flu vaccination but declined it? If so please take this survey on behalf of Public Health about why patients do not attend for flu vaccination.
Take the survey
Named GP
All patients have been allocated a ‘named GP’. Patients over 75 will have been advised of this by letter and those under 75 are welcome to ask at reception when visiting or telephoning the practice. Alternatively, this can be found at the bottom of your repeat prescription request if you are on medication.
One Life Suffolk
The Diabetes project www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk/type-2-diabetes