"We place or patients at the centre of all we do, by being compassionate and caring and being efficient and accurate / working efficiently and accurately’’.  

Bull Farm Surgery – Patient Briefing

The aim of this briefing is to inform you about proposed changes to Bull Farm Surgery, Concorde Way, Mansfield, NG19 7JZ. Bull Farm became a branch of Oakwood Surgery from October 2020.

Since taking over the contract at Bull Farm branch surgery in October 2020, services have been maintained to ensure high quality patient care has continued to be offered. During this time, it has become apparent that patients are not accessing services at the surgery before 8:30am or after 5pm.

We are therefore exploring the option to change the opening hours at Bull Farm Surgery. The new proposed operating hours are 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will consider our proposal to change the opening times. The CCG is the organisation responsible for planning and paying for healthcare in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. As part of their consideration they will want to understand what patients think about the proposed changes.

Why are these changes being suggested to Bull Farm Surgery? General practice has remained open throughout the pandemic and patients have continued to have face to face appointments where a clinical need has been identified.

Bull Farm Surgery is currently open from 8am – 6:30pm, Monday to Friday. Between October 2020 and May 2021, 20 patients visited Bull Farm surgery before 8:30am or after 5pm. Of these patient queries, all of them could have been dealt with over the phone or at the main Oakwood Surgery site, which is open as follows;

• Monday: 8am-6:30pm
• Tuesday: 7.30am-7pm
• Wednesday: 7.30am-7pm
• Thursday: 7.30am-7pm
• Friday: 8am-8pm
• Some Saturdays: 8.30am-12.30pm on a rotational basis with other GP surgeries.

Due to current operating hours at Bull Farm Surgery, two receptionists are needed to cover the early operating hours and two more receptionists for the later shifts. Changing opening hours to 8:30am – 5pm will increase resource as more receptionists would be available to answer phone lines during the morning at the busiest time for the surgery.

The aim of changing the opening hours is to allow for redistribution of our staff, improving services during our busiest times; allowing provision of better care for our patients across both sites.

What changes will patients face if the operating hours change? If approved, the only change for patients would be that they would no longer be able to visit Bull Farm Surgery in person before 8:30am or after 5pm to speak to a receptionist face to face and appointments will not be available at Bull Farm Surgery before 8:30am or after 5pm. Patients will continue to receive high quality care at the practice and other services and timings will remain the same.

Patients will still be able to access GP services at the main Oakwood Surgery site, Church Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, NG19 8BL, during the times referred to above.

What about patients who are unable to access the surgery between 8:30am and 5pm? Any patients who have been informed that they require a face to face appointment will be able to visit the main Oakwood Surgery site between the hours listed above, which covers before 8:30am or after 5pm. The distance between Bull Farm Surgery and Oakwood Surgery is less than two miles.

Depending on the medical concern, patients will continue to be offered telephone consultations if this is the best way to manage their medical need.

Have your say? As part of any change to the way services are delivered it is important to understand the views and opinions of patients. We would like to hear from as many patients of Bull Farm Surgery as possible. Information about how you can have your say is included below:

Please complete the online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z556YZK

Attend an online engagement event on Monday 19 July from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Further information is available and you are able to register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bull-farm-surgery-engagement-event-tickets-160590920767

If you are unable to complete our survey online or attend an online discussion forum but would like to share your views, paper copies of the survey are available from reception at Bull Farm Surgery and Oakwood Surgery.

What happens next?

The opportunity for patients of Bull Farm Surgery to have their say will be available from 5 July to 1 August 2021. After this time, all the information gathered will be reviewed and will be included in a report. The report will be submitted to the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Primary Care Commissioning Committee who will make a decision on the proposed changes. The decision making process will take into account a range of information including the feedback received from patients.

Once a decision is reached and if the change to opening times is approved, patients registered at Bull Farm Surgery will be notified of the changes either in writing, via text message, website and social media updates. We will also produce a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to outline to the change in service if this proposal is approved.

To request this information in another language or format please contact; nnccg.oakwood.surgery@nhs.net FAO Ruth or call 01623 435555 after 10am.

Walk In Phlebotomy Clinic Trial

We are pleased to announce that we are trialling a new “Walk In “phlebotomy clinic.

Both the Mansfield Woodhouse and Bull Farm site will operate the walk in clinic on the following dates:

·         Monday 26^th July                      8:30am – 11:45am

·         Wednesday 28^th July                 8:30am – 11:45am

·         Thursday 29^th July                    8:30am – 11:45am

·         Tuesday 3^rd August                   8:30am – 11:45am

·         Wednesday 4^th August              8:30am – 11:45am

·         Thursday 5^th August                 8:30am – 11:45am

You will not need to book an appointment for these days. When you arrive please report to reception and inform the staff that you are here for the Walk In clinic.

*Please be aware the Walk in Clinic is for blood taking only, this has to have been previously requested by the surgery.

If you need a blood test for a long term condition review you will still be required to book an appointment to check your blood pressure, height & weight prior to your review.

If you are booked into a face to face appointment with the GP, please bear in mind that this is a 10 minute appointment; therefore the GP will only be able to discuss 1 problem with you.

If you have multiple issues you would like to discuss please inform the receptionist who will look at making you a longer length appointment.

The Health Centre is currently undergoing essential maintenance works.  This should cause minimal disruption to the surgery and the services we provide. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or disruption caused during this time.

Understanding General Practice

Following negative and damaging coverage about general practice in the media, our Chief Executive Michael Wright, has produced a video to help patients understand some of the unique challenges that practices face daily.

https://youtu.be/OTbWYOVrF0s

Covid Vaccination

If you are eligible for a Covid Vaccine you can book an appointment for your vaccination using the online National Booking Service; you can access the website here or ring 119 option 2.

If you require transport please inform staff at the time of booking or contact the Surgery. Please select the link for further Transport information.

Oakwood Surgery will have clinics available to book for the coronavirus although these may not be a daily occurence.

We are using the Astra Zeneca vaccine. A few patients have expressed concerns after media reports. We would like to reassure you about this.

There have been a few rare instances of specific type of blood clots and clotting issues (37 cases per 17 million) and the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continues to advise that the benefits of the vaccine far out weighs the risks. This is much smaller than the risk of a blood clot (less than 1 in a million) in the healthy population.

If you need confirmation that you have received 2 vaccinations for international travel you can check your vaccination status on the NHS App.

If you do not have access to online services you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119 once you have received 2 vaccines; please only request this letter after at least 5 days after your 2nd vaccine. (It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive).

You CANNOT request a letter from your GP practice.

For more information please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad

Bull Farm has become a branch surgery of Oakwood Surgery in Mansfield Woodhouse. To contact the Surgery please ring 01623 435555.

Appointments are available either at Bull Farm Branch Surgery or at Mansfield Woodhouse.

In line with the current guidelines all requests for an appointment with a GP are triaged. A telephone consultation can only be arranged on the day that you wish to speak to a GP. The GP will arrange a face to face appointment with you if it is appropriate.

If you have been requested to arrange a non urgent appointment with the Nurse please ring after 10am. Please do not attend the Surgery unless you have been asked to by a member of the Surgery.

Please do NOT attend the Surgery unless you have been requested to by a member of the Surgery Staff,

Coronavirus Advice

We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. For further information please go to the link:  http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/news/article/1199/residents-warned-as-covid-19-cases-rise-in-mansfield 

For the latest guidance, support available to residents and businesses please go to the link:  www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Entrance to the Surgery is via the front door; this is to aid social distancing whilst moving around the Surgery. Please attend your appointment alone wherever possible. There are now directional arrows around the building to aid one way flow & you will be asked to exit the building via the car park.

Please be aware that only patients with a booked face-to-face appointment will be allowed in to the building. On arrival you will be screened for potential Coronavirus symptoms (you will be asked a series of questions) and you will be asked to wear a face covering as per the Government Guidance. Please also see the latest Government guidance regarding children wearing face masks.

If you wish to order a prescription this can be done via NHS App, systmOnline, email, post into box outside the building or phone.

Further advice can be found at:  https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/gp-appointment-guidance/

This website has been designed to tell you about the practice and the services that we offer. Please read it carefully. We trust that you will find it helpful and informative.

Unfortunately due to the many changes which have occured over the past year the patient leaflet is not currently available as it is under review.

Online Services

Online services are available to assist you in accessing services at the Surgery remotely and at your convenience.

There is a new NHS App available which allows you to check your symptoms and get instant advice, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical records, book appointments (if available) and more. To register simply download the App for free from the Apple App store or from Google Play Store and follow the instructions. You do not need to visit the Surgery to register for this App. For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp.

Also there is still the SystmOnline service available which also allows you to book appointments, or repeat prescriptions and view your medical records.

Either of these Apps can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and from the Google Play Store.

You can register for online services at the practice by completing an Online Registration Form which you can download or you can ask at reception.

MJOG Messenger

MJog Messenger is designed as a health messaging app for patients. It is quick and easy to use with appointment reminders and easy cancellation at the touch of a button, instant notifications, smarter healthcare communications and free health information recommended by the GP.