All our health services are under enormous pressure and we are working extremely hard. We are open and here if needed. Please work with us to help us ensure you get the right help or care, in the right place and at the right time by the appropriate health professional for your needs.

Please treat those who are trying to help you with respect and kindness

If you don’t have photo ID, you will first need to sign up at the surgery

TO BE REGISTERED FOR OUR ONLINE/AIRMID SERVICES. 

Once registered, you will find the 3 pieces of information to link your online services to the NHS App (Account ID linkage key, Organisation Code ODS code, and Passphrase). To find these, follow these instructions:

>  Log in to SystmOnline on the website, not the app.

>  Go to Account > Account Information and retrieve the Practice Organisation Code and Account ID. Write these down

>  Log out from SystmOnline

>  Select Re-issue Third Party Passphrase

>  Input your Account ID, Email Address and Organisation Code, then click Re-issue Passphrase to retrieve your passphrase

>  Once you get your passphrase, follow the instruction on the NHS App to setup your NHS login and use the 3 pieces of information you need to link your account to the app                                     

If you have any issues using or downloading the app, check the NHS App help and support page on https://www.nhs.uk/apphelp   

We typically see people whose health condition makes them vulnerable to infection and at high risk of COVID infection, with potentially severe consequences of respiratory infection, long covid etc.

Our main concern is to ensure our patients, visitors and Staff are protected.

Evidence suggests transmission mainly occurs indoors where people are close together. Covering the nose and mouth greatly reduces the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and while speaking. There is some evidence they offer wearers protection too. 

We will continue to support our patients and Staff by ensuring the guidance is followed within our Practices and encourage our patients and visitors to respect the safety of others too.

Attending appointments 

COVID-19 is still in circulation so it is vital we continue with infection, prevention & control measures. When visiting our Practices we ask that you wash your hands or use the gel provided to keep them clean, observe safe distancing and remember to be respectful of those around you.

We would still encourage you to attend your appointment alone if you can, however if you do need to bring someone with you, we will support this. You should not attend appointments if you have symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, loss of taste and smell, or a temperature, or diarrhoea and vomiting

THANK YOU so much for your support and consideration

Local NHS services are currently experiencing some of the most severe pressures in its entire history.  We are working longer and harder than ever before to provide the very best care we can, under intense pressure.

GP practices in Portsmouth have been facing rising demand for services, alongside escalating COVID-19 case numbers with cases in Hampshire higher than the rest of the UK. This rise in cases also means increased staff absences because of sickness, isolation requirements, or needing to care for unwell children.

In April, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) declared critical incidents, due to significant and sustained demand for services.

Our practice team has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and have been delivering the hugely successful COVID-19 vaccination roll-out while maintaining day to day medical care for our patients.

To ensure our patients have access to care safely and quickly, we offer a range of different ways of making an appointment to provide you with more choice and more convenience. These include telephone consultations, online consultations (eConsult) or video consultations. Face-to-face appointments are and always have been available, if needed.

In addition, our care navigators, who are members of GP support staff, have been trained to help patients get the right help from the right health professional as soon as possible by asking for a little more detail from the patient when they call.  A study by the NHS Alliance found that across the country, 27% of GP appointments could potentially be seen more quickly by other healthcare professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, community mental health and wellbeing services, or simply didn’t need an appointment. By helping signpost people, care navigators are reducing reliance on GPs and making the most of the resources available in healthcare. GPs across Portsmouth see hundreds of patients each day and care navigators are helping free up appointments for those who need them, whilst empowering others to manage their own health and wellbeing more effectively. Please work with us to help us ensure you get the right help or care, in the right place and at the right time by the appropriate health professional for your needs.

All practice staff take data protection and patient confidentiality very seriously, so whilst you may notice that our receptionist/care navigator asks you a few more questions, you needn’t worry, they’re just helping get you right care, from the most appropriate member of the General Practice or Community team

We ask for your continued understanding and support as we strive to face these pressures. This may mean that you must wait longer for a less urgent appointment or experience some delays. We thank you for being patient and kind to our staff if you need to wait longer to have your enquiry dealt with.

Read the British Medical Association's Pressures in General Practice Data Analysis report and BBC news report

Self-care is about keeping fit and healthy, understanding when you can look after yourself, when a pharmacist can help, and when to get advice from your GP practice or another healthcare professional. If you have a long-term condition, self-care is about understanding that condition and how to live with it.  Top tips for self-care:-

֍ Have a well-stocked medicine cabinet    ֍ Have things in the house that can be used to treat most minor ailments. This should include:

# Paracetamol and aspirin, and equivalent syrups (such as Calpol) for children    # Cold and cough medicines, and lozenges for sore throats    # Mild laxatives to relieve constipation

# Rehydration mixtures for diarrhoea or vomiting    #Indigestion remedy    # Thermometer to check for fever    # Range of plasters, bandages and dressings

# Antiseptic wipes to clean cuts before they're dressed    # Travel sickness tablets

֍ Choose the right NHS service.  To make sure you get the most appropriate service for your needs, it's important to know what local NHS services are on offer and when you should use each service. Use our guide 'Which health service should you use' to help

֍ Most minor ailments can be treated with medicine at home. We're sharing our top tips for self-care this winter, so you know what you can do at home and when you might need to contact us or other healthcare professionals for support. Read more at  www.portsmouthccg.nhs.uk/your-health/#self-care

Supporting people to self-care and self-manage their health and wellbeing is about putting people in control. It helps to build confidence for those living with long-term health conditions, encourages people to stay well and healthy, and provides support for those dealing with short-term illnesses and ailments.

֍ Keep warm    ֍ Eat a balanced diet - Discover top tips for healthy eating on the NHS website     ֍ Look out for each other   

֍ Be active - Energise Me in Hampshire aims to create happier, healthier and stronger communities through sport and activity. Find activities on their website as well as tips for getting active at work and home.

֍ Enjoy a healthier lifestyle - It's never too late to switch to a healthier lifestyle    # Smoking facts, advice and support    # Alcohol facts, advice and support    # NHS Live Well 

֍Get outside daily - If you can't get outside, consider taking vitamin D supplements, especially during the winter months.

֍Get your vaccinations - it's important to boost your immunity 

Self-care is about keeping fit and healthy, understanding when you can look after yourself, when a pharmacist can help, and when to get advice from your GP practice or another healthcare professional. If you have a long-term condition, self-care is about understanding that condition and how to live with it.

For Self Care Week, we're sharing our top tips for self-care, so you know what you can do at home and when you might need to seek further support.

֍ Back Pain      ֍ Eczema      ֍ Heartburn and indigestion      ֍ Fever in children      ֍ Constipation      ֍ Headache and migraine      ֍ Cough      ֍ Acne      ֍ Sprains and strains      

֍ Sore throat    ֍ Middle ear infection (otitis media)      ֍ Common cold in adults      ֍ Sinusitis      ֍ Urine symptoms in men      ֍ Venous disease – Looking after your legs      

֍ COVID19 Series – Boosting your mood      ֍ COVID19 Series – Getting help from your pharmacist      ֍  COVID19 Series – Long COVID/ Post COVID Syndrome

֍ Urinary Incontinence (Leakage) In Adults  (Further information about incontinence is available at the HARTMANN Advice Centre)      ֍ The POWER of Self Care  – Wellbeing 

Living with a long-term health condition brings challenges and it's important to have the confidence, support and information to manage your own health. Self-care can help you make the most of living with your condition, rather than avoiding or missing out on things because of it. Self-care puts you in control.

Research shows that people with long-term conditions who take control of their health feel more able to cope with their health problem, have better pain management, fewer flare ups and more energy.

NHS Choices has created some practical tips on living with a long-term condition that you can see in their self-care toolkit. We’ve also listed some top tips:

֍ Accept you have a long-term health condition    ֍ Take your medication as prescribed – if you have any problems with your medication ask your pharmacist    

֍ Build a support team around you so you have people to talk to if needed    ֍ Pace your daily activities - there's no pressure to rush anything    ֍ Learn to prioritise and plan your days    

֍ Set goals and action plans so you have something to work towards    ֍ Keep a diary and track your progress    ֍ Be patient with yourself and have a plan for setbacks    ֍ Exercise    

֍Learn relaxation skills    ֍ Keep going - you're doing brilliantly   

֍ visit  www.patients-association.org.uk/long-term-conditions      patient.info/treatment-medication/living-with-a-long-term-condition   

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-long-term-conditions