We are here for you when you need us – how to access services

Posted on July 6th, 2021

If you need the help of a GP, practice nurse or other health professional that works in our surgery, we are here for you.

GP practices are busier than they have ever been and we want you to know how to get the help you need from us.

As you will know, we have been open throughout the pandemic, offering you telephone and online appointments, with face to face consultations available for those who need them. We have continued to help many thousands of patients each week, alongside planning and delivering the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Our busiest times of the day on the phones are between 8am and 10am so if you can, we would suggest that you call outside of this time.

• Remember to always dial 999 straight away when it is a real emergency, for example if you think someone is having a heart attack or a stroke
• You don’t need to see a GP to refer yourself for some mental health services. Find out more at https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/services/community-services/wellbeing-service/ If you are worried about your mental health and any harm you may cause yourself please contact your practice.
• Remember if the situation is urgent you can contact NHS 111 by visiting www.111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. They can also support with a mental health crisis if you select option 2
• Our website provides links to key NHS information and advice. Please also go to nhs.uk which is a as a source of trusted health advice about you or your child’s condition.
• Your local pharmacist is also there for you as an expert in medicines. They can offer advice for certain ailments. They will also know when you need to contact a GP or another more urgent service. Many pharmacies are open in the evening and at weekends, you can find them on the CCG website: https://www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/pharmacies

If you need to access the GP:

• Our telephone triage service is for urgent symptoms where GPs will try to sort out problems that require same day contact.
• You can email us – prescriptions@nhs.net and use our website for medical certificates or repeat prescriptions or queries.
• For more routine issues, you can book a routine telephone callback via reception with a GP of your choice.
• For referral issues, you can telephone Parkwood Surgery and select option 3.
• At the present time, due to the pandemic, we have temporarily disabled our online booking system for routine appointments for safety reasons.