Coronavirus Guidance (updated 20/07/20)

Due to the COVID19 Pandemic we have made the following changes to our service:

We have had to close our building in line with Government Guidelines.  We remain operational for scripts and urgent care.  

Appointments - Most of our appointments have now moved to Telephone Consultation

Remember if you have a fever and/or new cough - DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY, Pharmacy or Hospital, everyone in your household must stay at home for 14 days for further information and self isolation advice, visit www.pha.site/coronavirus.  All Patients attending the surgery are now asked to wear their own face covering. 

Treatment Room - remains open to URGENT Bloods, INRs and Dressings

Please press the buzzer when you arrive outside our doors and a member of staff will let you enter the building.  Remember you should only be attending if you have no fever or a new cough. All Patients attending the surgery are now asked to wear their own face covering. 

Script Requests

Patients can continue to order scripts in the same way - in writing by:

1)drop the right hand side of your script into the script request box outside building (24/7)

2) email Killynether Reception on killynether.reception.Z00261@gp.hscni.net - stating Name, DOB and Names of Meds and Dosage

3)order online with Patient Access - you will require a PIN for this - please ring reception to request a  PIN (due to COVID19) we are providing temporary access to Patient Access system over the phone.

Phones

Please do not ring to check your script is there - due the huge volumes of scripts being processed at the moment, we are unable to check.   You should allow 72 hours from ordering before collecting from your chosen Chemist. 

Scripts Collection

All scripts must now be collected by a nominated Pharmacy.  If you have not nominated a Pharmacy - please ring the practice to give verbal consent.  You must follow this up with a signed Pharmacy Nomination Form.  Forms can be downloaded from our website newspage or from outside our Building above our Script Deposit Box.  Please return the completed forms in our Script Deposit Box.  Please allow 72 hours from requesting your Repeat Medication until it will be ready for collection at your chosen Pharmacy.

Killynether Pharmacy Nomination Form

Sick lines

If you are self isolating - you do NOT require a Dr sick line, a self cert will suffice.     GPs will NOT be providing COVID19 sickliness please contact 111 online for more advice and check the PHA website.  We will accept NON COVID19 sickline requests as by email only, please state your Name & DOB and reason for sickline, continuation or start date and length of sickline requests.   Please leave an up to date tel number which the Dr will phone you on should they need to discuss.  You will receive your sickline by  email to the email address you have provided, please note that due to the huge pressure on our systems during COVID19, issuing of sicklines are NON Urgent and we will action when we are able.   

Dr Phonecalls requested by email are not permitted 

It is not appropriate to request a Dr phonecall by email as there are certain details that the admin team are required to ask. Therefore please be patient with our phone access.    As always if you have a medical need that requires urgent attention then a call can be logged for a Dr anytime throughout the day between 8.30am and 6pm.  

Testing for COVID-19 (available from 19/05/20)

Explaining our Telephone System

Killynether Practice will continue to provide GP Services during these unprecedented times. 

Please ring the Practice on 02891 823121 and press:

option 0 for Emergency

option 1 for appointments

option 2 for Dr Call Back

Option 3 for Test Results between 3.30pm and 4.30pm (Mon to Fri)

Option 4 for Enquiries (please do not ring to check if your script is ready)

Stress Control Online - May 2020

Stress is an normal reaction to the rapidly changing and uncertain times we are living in at the moment. If you are feeling a bit more stressed than usual and would like to learn some great ways, free of charge, to deal with common problems like anxiety, depression, panicky feelings, poor sleep and poor wellbeing then please click on Patient Self Referrals for more  Details on Right hand side.   Please do ring and request a GP call should you need GP advice.

Accessing GP Services & Health and Social Care Services for those who have a hearing Impairment (BSL or ISL)

For those who have a hearing impairment and therefore are unable to communicate via the telephone -  Health & Social Care Services now have a hearing interpreting service now available via a phone app or computer link.  This can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

https://interpreternow.co.uk/hscni

Stop Smoking Support for Killynether Practice Patients

Cancer Focus NI have created a dedicated private support group on Facebook – Stop Smoking Support Northern Ireland, which is available for those thinking of stopping smoking, those who have stopped already and anyone interested for someone else. The group can be accessed using the link below. Access is granted shortly after answering a few short questions.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopsmokingsupportNI/

Alcohol & Drug Additions Support for Patients

Useful Local Ards Contacts

BBC News NI - useful link below for those who are self isolating and need help with collecting scripts or food deliveries:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-52237097/how-to-get-food-and-medicine-deliveries-if-you-are-isolating-in-northern-ireland

Ards Food Deliveries

Ards Pharmacy Contact Info

Thank you for your help supporting your NHS during these difficult times.

New GP Partner

Killynether Practice welcomes to our clinical team Dr Christopher Murray with effect from 1 April 2020.  Dr Murray is well known to many of our patients already as he been working with us now for the past 2 years.  We very much look forward to harnessing his enthusiasm that he brings. 

Results Line & General Enquiries Line Changes

Results Line will now be available from 3.30pm to 4.30pm - Monday to Friday.   General Enquiries Line available 8.30am to 4.30pm - Monday to Friday.

Practice Closure For July Bank Holidays  

The Practice will be closed on Monday 13th July 2020.  If you require medical assistance please contact North Down & Ards Doctors on Call Service on 02891 822344.  The Practice will be operating an emergency service only on Tuesday 14th July 2020.

Sexual Health Screening

Did you know you can have a sexual health check up without neeing an intimate examination?  This will involve a urine sample/self taken swab for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea as well as a blood test for HIV and Syphilis.  Sexual Health Appointments now available to book  online.   Please ring or ask at Reception for your online access code (you will need to provide Photo ID).

Patient Self Referrals

New access for patients to self refer to Podiatry/Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy - see "Patient Self Referrals" page on right hand side of website. Patients can also now self refer to  Maternity if they have a positive pregnancy test see section 3 "Maternity Services" for link.

Killynether Patient Survey Report 2019-20

 https://www.killynetherpractice.co.uk/surveyreport_form.aspx

When We Are Closed (see Latest News)

When the surgery is closed North Down & Ards doctors on Call Service is operational. A message giving their contact details will be on the normal surgery number or they may be contacted directly on 028 91822344.

Please remember this service should be reserved for emergencies only. Should you see a doctor out of hours you own doctor’s surgery will be notified.

In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

Planned closures 2020-2021- Training Closures

Wednesday 23 Sept 2020 from 1pm

Thursday 5 November 2020 from 1pm

Wednesday 13 January 2021 from 1pm

Thursday 25 February 2021 from 1pm

Wednesday 28 April 2021 from 1pm

Thursday 17 June 2021 from 1pm

Bank Holidays

Prior to all closure days please order your prescriptions in plenty of time