We have collated some of the more frequently asked questions about the Surgery and how it works.

If you don’t find the answer you are looking for remember you can always contact us.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE BOOKED

Blood Test Service Poster explaining changes from 8th March 2021

Phlebotomy (Blood Tests) remains available at Mount Vernon Hospital but will be by appointment only. These appointments at Mount Vernon Hospital phlebotomy department can be booked via thh.nhs.uk/bookings

Since the closure of the Phlebotomy Clinics at Hillingdon Hospital Outpatient Department on 11^th January 2021 further additional clinics are available at the following GP surgeries via our own receptionist at Devonshire Lodge:

Central Uxbridge Surgery - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 8am to 12 noon

Eastcote Health Centre - Saturday and Sunday afternoons 12noon to 4pm.

Harefield Practice – Tuesday and Friday mornings

Yiewsley Family Practice - patients can use ’Book your blood test’ icon on the practice website - if patients leave their details the practice admin staff will phone them up to book the appointment.

Weekends (Extended Access Hub) Bookable by your GP Practice

Saturday: 8am to 12 Central Uxbridge Health Centre: George Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UB

                 12 to 4pm Eastcote Health Centre, Abbotsbury Gardens, HA5 1TG

Sunday:   8am to 12 HESA Medical Centre: 52 Station Road, Hayes, UB3 4DS

                12 to 4pm  Eastcote Health Centre, Abbotsbury Gardens, HA5 1TG  

Asthma checks
If you are diagnosed with this condition the GP will tell you how often you need to be checked.    
Please ensure you follow the GP’s instructions as this will enable the Practice to monitor your condition and help you to manage it in the best possible way.

In all cases it is essential you take your blood test form with you when the blood is taken.
ALWAYS phone for your results.  Allow up to 5 working days.

Cervical Smear Tests
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers free tests to all women aged between 25 and 64 who are registered with a GP.
Women should normally be invited for a smear test at the following times:

• At the age of 25 they will receive their first invitation for screening.
• Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every three years.
• Women aged 50 to 64 are invited for screening every five years.
• Women aged 65 or over are only screened if they have not been screened since they were 50 or if they have had recent abnormal test results.

If you have any concerns between tests please make an appointment to see a GP.

“CCG” – what does it do? 
CCG stands for Clinical Commissioning Group.   NHS Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group has been set up to enable local GPs and other clinicians to plan and decide on the provision of health services for local residents.

NHS Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group took over responsibility for the commissioning of healthcare services from the former NHS Hillingdon on 1 April 2013. 

Clinical Commissioning Groups do not provide any health services directly, but buy health services from providers of healthcare, such as Hospital Trusts, Mental Health Trusts and community organisations.

NHS Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group works in partnership with local people to improve the health and well-being of the population of Hillingdon and deliver excellent health care services in our borough

For more information go to www.hillingdonccg.nhs.uk.

Diabetic checks  
If you are diagnosed with diabetes the GP will indicate the regularity with which you will be checked.    
Please ensure you follow the instructions given by the GP as this will enable the Practice to monitor your condition and help you to manage it in the best possible way.

Family planning 
We offer all the services usually available at a family planning clinic other than implants.  Please contact Reception to make an appointment with the appropriate Health Care Professional.

Health checks
If you are aged between 40 and 74 and have not been diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or had a stroke, you will be invited for a routine health check at some time over the coming years.  However, if you wish you can make your own appointment for a Health Check by contacting Reception.  You will be requested to arrange a blood test before your Health Check appointment.

If you are concerned about your health, don’t wait until your NHS Health Check to do something about it.  Go to your GP.

 For more information go to
www.nhs.uk/Planners/NHSHealthCheck/Pages/NHSHealthCheck  or ask at Reception.

Immunisations for children
Parents may be sent reminders by the Health Authority when children’s immunisations are due and the Surgery will always contact you if they are overdue. 

You can also download a Vaccination Planner, based on your child’s date of birth, on www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/nhsvaccinationplanner    The planner includes all the dates vaccinations are due and you can then make the appointments for immunisation accordingly.

Menopause/HRT advice
There are many sources of advice on this topic and the Practice would particularly recommend you consult   www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy/pages/introduction.  

If you wish to discuss the menopause and/or HRT please make an appointment in the first instance with the Practice Nurse who will be happy to assist you.

“Review date” on my repeat prescription
The purpose of this date is for your regular doctor to review your notes at this time and, if necessary, arrange any tests or consultations required as part of the regular follow up for your condition.

If any action needs to be taken, e.g. the doctor needs to see you to discuss your medication or you require a blood test, etc., when you next collect your repeat prescription there will be a note added asking you to make the necessary arrangements.

Please try to comply with such requests as soon as possible to ensure you are receiving the appropriate care and treatment.

The 111 service 
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice outside surgery opening hours but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Telephone 111 if:

• you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
• you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
• you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
• you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

How does it work?

The NHS 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you  to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist.

Where possible, the NHS 111 team will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.
If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.
Calls to 111 are recorded. All calls and the records created are maintained securely, and will only be shared with others directly involved with your care.

Why do some doctors seem to come and go?

We are a training practice which means a final year GP trainee spends 12 months with us.  The change-over occurs every August and these doctors are supervised by Dr. Ghani