We are here for you when you need us 

GP services are busier than ever before, delivering more appointments but in a different way.

All the healthcare staff working in general practice are facing a big increase in demand for their services, so your patience is really appreciated. 

We have been open throughout the pandemic, offering you telephone appointments. Face to face consultations are available for those who need them. We have continued to help many thousands of patients each week, alongside planning the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Your GP practice team is working hard to make sure that you get the same high standard of care whether you receive help on the phone or in person. 

There are some things that patients can do to help make sure we can see everyone who needs us, as quickly as possible. Please continue to contact us by phone as this helps us to manage people entering our practice building. To keep patients and staff safe we need to avoid crowded waiting rooms as well as to carry out cleaning between patient consultations and so it isn’t feasible for practices to see as many people in person as before the pandemic. If we can meet your needs by a telephone call this could be safer for you and others and can often be quicker and more convenient. We also ask that you always wear a mask while in the surgery.

The reception staff are trained to support you to get the right appointment for your needs and sometimes you might be asked to give information that you would prefer not to share with someone other than a doctor or health professional. It really does help to have this information in order to arrange the right appointment for you.

You may be offered an appointment with a different trained professional who works at the practice rather than a GP if this is the best person to help you. This might be a nurse, a pharmacist, a healthcare assistant or a physiotherapist.

We know that most of you will continue to treat your practice staff with courtesy and kindness. This is really important for all the staff at your practice and they appreciate it. 

On our website we have links to key NHS information and advice. Please also go to  www.nhs.uk which is a as a source of trusted health advice about your 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 NHS website. You can also find out how to make the most of your pharmacist.

There are some services you don’t need to see a GP and can self refer. Please click self referral forms to find out more

To access our services please follow this link for more information:  Click here

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. 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.

Please continue to use general practice when you need to, we are open and there for you.

Thank you for your patience and support during these difficult times for everyone.

The Loughton Surgery 

COVID-19 Vaccination

You can walk-in to many places locally to get your covid 19 vaccination. Click link for further details Vaccination walk-in clinics

Get a test to check if you have coronavirus on GOV.UK

Symptoms: Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you or your child has them.

Testing and tracing: Get a test to check if you have coronavirus, understand your test result and find out what to do if you're contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Self-isolation and treating symptoms: Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.