Changes to how to book your blood tests
From April 1st, the Phlebotomy Service at Northwich Victoria Infirmary / Leighton Hospital will change their booking procedure for blood test appointments.
You will no longer be able to book via telephone. Alternatively, they will be using a new online system which will allow patients to easily book an appointment at their preferred location (link below for convenience):
https://patientconnect.uhnm.nhs.uk/booking/services
Fit notes
Fit notes are issued to provide evidence of the advice patients have been given about their fitness for work.
The surgery does not accept sick note request via telephone. To submit a request, please follow https://econsult.net/nhs-patients and click on ‘I want administrative help’.
Nothing Changes for the Surgery from 19th July
Dear Patient, throughout the pandemic we have strived to make the surgery as safe as possible to our patients and staff. We will continue to do so going forward, and from the 19th July nothing will change at the surgery. Patients will still need to wear a mask, socially distance and use hand sanitiser in the surgery and patient facing staff will continue to wear PPE. We do understand that it can be frustrating but we know that when patients come to us they may be sick and vulnerable, and some cannot receive the covid vaccine due to medical reasons, so we feel it would be wrong to not continue with these small precautions that can help to protect the patients and staff at Witton Street Surgery.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
COVID-19 Vaccination Q&A
Attributable to the high call volumes regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, and to prevent you waiting in a call queue, we have assembled a Q&A to answer some of the most frequently asked questions:
1. Should I call the surgery to book my COVID-19 vaccination?
No. Please do not contact the surgery to try and arrange your vaccination appointment. Our Clinic Co-Ordinator’s will contact you when necessary.
2. Why am I being invited to a mass vaccination centre?
The NHS are sending letters to individuals in group 5 and 7 whom will need to book a vaccine appointment at a mass vaccination centre. We strongly encourage you to have your vaccination at these centres to reduce your waiting time, as we will not be able to vaccinate anyone from these groups until group 6 is completed. Our nearest mass vaccination centres are Winsford and Warrington.
3. I am a carer, when can I expect to have my vaccination?
Carers are included in group 6, and can expect to hear from the surgery within the upcoming weeks to arrange your first vaccination. Please do bare with us, as our capacity to vaccinate individuals is based on vaccine delivery and is often limited to one clinic of 150-200 per week and again, we will contact you when necessary.
4. Why are individuals younger than me being vaccinated?
Group 4 includes patients who are extremely clinically vulnerable (aged 18-69), and therefore have been invited for their vaccination.
5. I am / I have a family member with learning disabilities, when will I/they be invited?
Patients on the practices learning disability register are in group 6. The surgery is currently working through this cohort and will contact you as soon as we are able to offer you an appointment.
6. I am due my second vaccination, when can I expect to hear about this?
We will be contacting all patients who are due their second vaccination in due course. You do not need to contact the surgery to arrange this.
7. I think I am in the wrong group, what should I do?
If you think you are in the wrong group, please send an email to cheshireccg.wittonstreetsurgery@nhs.net and this will be investigated.
If you still need to contact us regarding the vaccinations, we ask that you are patient with the team as we are also dealing with other medical queries and emergencies. Thank you – we appreciate your support during this time!
If you are 60+ and receive a letter inviting you to a Mass Vaccination Centre for your Covid-19 vaccination, please make an appointment and get your vaccine!
Do not contact the surgery as we are currently vaccinating Group 6 patients and can not invite anyone else until this group is complete. In doing so, you will affect our ability to assist patients who require medical attention.
We will contact you if necessary either by text, phone, or letter. Be assured that our team are working hard to adhere to the timescale outlined by the government, which can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639
Overdue your smear?
If you are overdue your smear, and have received an NHS screening letter, please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment – we are conducting these appointments as usual.
For information regarding the importance of having your smear test, and what your appointment will consist of, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
Try not to put off cervical screening. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
