Brunel Medical Practice, Chelston Hall Surgery, Southover Medical Practice and Croft Hall Medical Practice work together as Torquay PCN.

Together, we have been asked by Devon NHS to deliver a one-year pilot offering some patients who need an urgent appointment a face-to-face appointment, with a clinician working in the ‘Urgent Hub’. This appointment might not be at your usual practice but will be arranged for you with your agreement for that day.

This service will be available to patients who are normally fit and well, but who have a health problem which needs to be addressed that day. Patients who have complex needs or long-term health conditions will not be offered an appointment in the ‘Urgent Hub’ but will be cared for by their practice as normal.

The pilot aims to offer continuity to patients with complex or long-term health conditions by freeing up appointments with their Usual GP. Research has shown that continuity of care reduces hospital admissions, the number of medicines that are prescribed and the number of investigations requested. Continuity improves outcomes for patients.

Each practice in the PCN will be offering additional appointments as part of the pilot, which we hope will improve outcomes for our patients. The pilot is due to start on the 9th December 2024.

FAQs

Will this project mean that I can’t see my usual GP?

No, you can still request to see your normal GP and book an appointment as your practice as you do now. Booking a same day appointment with the ‘Urgent Hub’ will be offered to patients where appropriate but may not meet the needs of all patients who may choose to wait for an appointment with their practice.

I have poor mobility and could not travel to another practice further away from where I live?

Appropriate patients will be offered an ‘Urgent Hub’ appointment, but we understand that this might not work for everyone, so your needs and ability to get to the site of the offered appointment will be taken into consideration.

Where is the ‘Urgent Hub’?

Appointments will be available at all four of the practices in the PCN, but patients at all the practices will be able to book them.

Will the doctor working in the ‘Urgent Hub’ be able to see my health record and prescribe medication if I need it?

All clinicians caring for you will have full access to your GP health record and can prescribe medication or arrange a follow-up if needed.

Information for patients about waiting times is available on the waiting times page on MyHealth.

You can contact Devon Referral Support Service (DRSS) between Monday-Friday, 08:00-17:00 by:

• Telephone: 01626 883888
• Email: drss.helpdesk@nhs.net

The NHS Constitution gives most people living in England the right to choose where to receive treatment. You have the right to choose the organisation that provides your NHS care when you're referred for your first appointment with a consultant. So if your GP recommends that you see a specialist, you can choose where and when to see them.

Please note DRSS are unable to give exact guidance on how long you will wait to be seen for an appointment.

Please do not contact the hospital or your GP to check where you are on the list as they will not to be able to provide you with this information. The only exception to this is if you feel your condition is worsening prior to their hospital clinic appointment or procedure. In this instance, contact your GP. 

For more information about local waiting times, managing pain and mental health support, please visit MyHealth-Devon.nhs.uk/WaitingTimes.

What is Torbay General Practice?

Torbay General Practice is a collective of three primary care networks and comprises 10 GP practices from across Torbay (Torquay, Paignton and Brixham).

These PCNs and practices are:

· Baywide

o Compass House Medical Centre

o Pembroke House Surgery

o Chilcote Surgery

· Torquay

o Southover Medical Practice

o Brunel Medical Practice

o Chelston Hall Surgery

o Croft Hall Medical Practice

· Paignton and Brixham

o Mayfield Medical Centre

o Corner Place Surgery

o Old Farm Surgery.

What does Torbay General Practice do?

Torbay General Practice’s GP surgeries work together to provide robust, sustainable systems and services that benefit patients across Torbay.

This work includes services such as the extended hours service and covid vaccination which are all run and staffed on behalf of all the practices.

How is this achieved?

Torbay General Practice operates with an agreed set of principles and understandings and, as a collective, aims to agree on decisions and actions.

Each practice sends a clinical and managerial representative to meetings, and sub- groups are formed to complete tasks.

Why does Torbay General Practice work like this?

Working as a collaborative enables Torbay General Practice to scale up systems more effectively and provide better services for patients across Torbay.

Torbay is a relatively small area, so it makes sense for PCNS to work together. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience across the practice teams, and working together maximises those strengths and skills, for the benefit of everyone.

It also means support is available for practices that might be facing certain challenges, so no patient group is left behind.

Following advice from NHS England and the General Medical Council, the Partners at Chelston Hall Surgery have made the decision not to enter into shared care agreements with private healthcare providers with effect from 1^st November 2023. This means that your NHS GP cannot take responsibility for prescribing and monitoring new specialist medication if your diagnosis and treatment came from a private health care provider and the treatment falls outside the usual prescribing practice of your GP. We will however continue to honour any existing arrangements for patients who are already receiving this care from us.

This was a difficult decision, especially when waiting times for NHS appointments can be long, but we feel it is the only way to ensure the quality and safety of the care we provide. Should you wish to have an NHS referral for your condition, we can of course arrange this as appropriate.

Please be assured that the clinicians at the surgery will continue to support you and be involved in all aspects of your NHS care.

Sleepstation is a clinically validated sleep improvement programme that’s free to access for NHS patients in this area. Their expert sleep team provide personalised guidance and one-to-one support. Most people see positive changes in their sleep within 3-4 weeks.

Sleepstation’s team of sleep coaches, doctors and sleep experts will help you understand what’s causing your sleep problems and give you all the support you need to get better. Register at https://bit.ly/3VF5LUh

Did you know that people with Jewish ancestry are more likely to carry gene faults in the BRCA genes?

These gene faults increase the risk for certain cancers. Cancer screening and prevention options are available to people with BRCA gene faults.

You are eligible for genetic testing of the BRCA genes through the NHS if:

• ✓ you have at least one Jewish grandparent 
• ✓ you are 18 years or older 
• ✓ you receive NHS care in England

Please see this link for further information including how to order BRCA test https://nhsjewishbrcaprogramme.org.uk/

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