Zero Tolerance Policy

Please be kind.  Abuse towards staff at Chastleton will NOT be tolerated.  Remember it is not okay:

• To raise your voice
• To physically threaten
• To swear or intimidate

At Chastleton, our staff come to work to care for others, and it is important for all members of the public and our staff to be treated with courtesy and respect.

In line with the rest of the NHS and to ensure this is fully observed, we support the NHS Zero Tolerance Policy. This means that aggressive or violent behaviour towards our staff or any member of the public within our Practice premises will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Where unacceptable behaviour occurs, either in person or over the telephone, a letter will be sent from the Practice Manager advising that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Any future violation of this policy will result in removal from the Practice patient list.

We feel sure that you will understand that proper behaviour is absolutely necessary for our staff and patients and that non-observance will not be accepted.

#pleasebekind

Self Help Information

At the bottom of the page, under Further Information, there is a link to information and guidance on ailments that can be safely self-managed.

Chastleton Facebook Page

We now a Facebook page!  We will update the page on a regular basis with practice news, vaccination and health promotion updates:

https://www.facebook.com/Chastleton-Medical-Group-101763855637949/

The NHS App 

If you are a patient at Chastleton you can now use the NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. 

You can use the NHS App to get health advice, manage your repeat prescriptions, book telephone appointments and much more!  If you already use our online system you can continue to use it.  You can use the NHS App as well.

Find out more at http://www.nhs.uk/nhsapp

Are your contact details up to date?

Its more important than ever that we can keep in touch!  If you are unsure, or think your number may have changed, please let us know. 

You can do this by sending an eConsult, selecting the option for 'administrative help' or alternatively post your details through the postbox to the left of the front door.

Please include:

Your name and date of birth

First line of your address

Contact number

Consent to contact you by text

Thank you!

Cervical Screening Information

General Practice Referral to Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS)

Did you know…?

We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist. From 1 December 2021 if your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a pharmacy of your choice. Your local pharmacists are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses.  This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.

Energy Price Cap Rise 

We know that the recently announced Energy Price Cap rise will be extremely worrying for many people.  To assist households countywide who may be struggling to pay their energy bills we have attached Warm Homes Campaign newsletter on the energy efficiency grants that are currently available along with an Energy Saving Tips leaflet.

Warm Homes Newsletter

Durham County Council Warm Homes Top 20 Tips

Armed Forces Veterans 

Chastleton Medical Group are looking to actively improve the care provided for Armed Forces Veterans. Please let the Doctor or Receptionist know if you are a veteran. Please follow the link for more information. Priority NHS Treatment for Veterans

COVID19 Patient Information

Social Prescribing Link Worker 

What is Social prescribing?  Social prescribing provides 1:1 personalised support service with a Social Prescriber Link Worker (SPLW).  They will help you with a wide range of social, emotional and practical needs with a focus on 'What Matters To You' helping to improve your mental/physical wellbeing and general health.

https://youtu.be/O9azfXNcqD8

What can your SPLW support you with?

• Housing, finance and benefits
• Long term conditions
• General and emotional wellbeing
• Social isolation and integration
• Volunteering, employment and learning

How can your SPLW support you?  They can link you to the right support by:

• Signposting - information and encouragement to access services
• Facilitation - information and support to access services
• Navigation - support to engage and access a service

How can you access the SPLW service?  Speak to the Reception Team at the surgery for further details.

Introduction to our Adult Mental Health Nurse 

Carrie is our new Adult Mental Health Nurse based within the surgery. Carrie can see patients who are aged 18 years and over, and offers 20-minute face to face or telephone appointments to discuss current issues you may be experiencing with your mental health. Carried can offer help, advice and sign post you to local services that could be able to help you. Carrie has over 10 years' experience working with both men and women.  If you would like an appointment, please speak to the Reception Team at the surgery who will assist you.

eConsults

We also offer an eConsult service.  The eConsult will ask you questions about your issue and one of the practice team will contact you by the end of the next working day usually by email.  However, in our experience, most requests will result in advice to book an appointment via our reception team as further information is needed.  The eConsult facility is not intended as a method of accessing face to face or telephone appointments bypassing reception and we cannot reply electronically with confidential or sensitive information.  Therefore we only advise using eConsult where you feel the problem will be solvable without speaking to or seeing a clinician.  

General Practice Data for Planning & Research   

For an update and further information please see NHS Digital's Website.