Covid Boosters Update - 29th October 2021
Due to the continuing unprecedented pressure on Primary Care, the Mid-Dorset practices, who worked together to deliver our COVID vaccination programme at the Atrium Health Centre in Dorchester, are unable to offer the booster programme without seriously affecting our ability to deliver the normal healthcare services to all our patients.
You will receive communication from NHS England via text message, email, or letter. Please follow the link in the email or text to book an appointment at a local pharmacy site or mass vaccination centre. If you receive a letter or are unable to access the internet or use the links provided by NHS England, please phone 119 to book an appointment. The surgery will be unable to book a COVID booster vaccination appointment for you.
Those who are housebound will receive further communication about their booster in November. We would ask you refrain from contacting the surgery at this time to enquire about booster doses.
www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations/#boost
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We are aware of the planned move to lifting the remaining Covid restrictions in England from the 19th of July.
Medical settings are a higher risk environment and will need to be subject to more control measures than other public facilities.
We are acting very cautiously and are maintaining:
It is our duty to do all we can to keep both our patients and our staff safe whilst we deliver our care. Please continue to wear face coverings when attending the surgery. This is particularly important if you are suffering from a respiratory condition.
Thank you for your understanding.
Text message Concerns - Some patients have been concerned about the text message invites they have received - spotting a scam:
Spotting a scam
The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge on the NHS.
The NHS will never ask for:
- your bank account or card details
- your pin or banking password
- copies of personal documents to prove your identity such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips
If you think you have been a victim of fraud or identify theft, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
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Regular Rapid Covid Tests if You Don't Have Symptoms
Get a test to do at home
You can get rapid tests to do at home. We do not have these at the Practice.
You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests from a local pharmacy or test site:
You can get a pack of 7 tests sent to your home. Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK
If you do tests at home, you'll need to report your results online or on the phone.
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Planning on Travelling Abroad?
Update has been included on gov.uk explaining how patients can access their COVID-19 Vaccination status, Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How to Get Your Vaccination Status
Please note we are unable to advise on any IT issues you may have downloading or managing this on your device. Due to the increase in demand for access to the NHS App there will possibly be a delay in your access being completed. Thank you for your understanding.
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Dear Patient
We would like to thank you for your support given to Poundbury Doctors Surgery since the outbreak of COVID-19. The changes implemented at the practice since March 2020 have been made following national guidance in order to protect all patients and staff at the practice.
The practice is still open for normal GP enquiries, check-ups, tests or to report new symptoms. As you may have experienced, our phone lines are extremely busy at the moment, if you do need to call the practice, we welcome your patience! Please wait for the telephone to be answered, you will be placed into a queue, but our system is not able to tell you your position in the queue.
If you have downloaded the NHSApp you will be able to view test results, order repeat prescriptions and update contact details such as your telephone number or email address. More information can be found in the ‘online services’ section of the website.
Instructions on how to set up the NHS App Setting up the NHS App
For the latest information on COVID-19 please visit Dorset CCG’s vaccine information page: www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations/, if you feel you may have coronavirus symptoms please call 119 for advice
Short-Term Disruption to Routine Blood Tests
Due to factors beyond our control we must limit the number of blood tests that we are able to take due to a world-wide shortage of blood tubes that are required for taking the blood . All practices across in this area are experiencing similar problems. Currently the only blood tests we are able to carry out due to the shortage are clinically urgent.
Examples of clinically urgent testing include:
- Bloods that are required to facilitate a two week wait referral
- Bloods that are extremely overdue and/or essential for safe prescribing of medication or monitoring of condition
- Bloods that if taken could avoid a hospital admission or prevent an onward referral
- Those with suspected sepsis or conditions with a risk of death or disability
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Dr Koppenhol, Coronavirus COVID 19 GP Lead
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Welcome to Poundbury Doctors Surgery (we were The Cornwall Road Medical Practice Renamed as of 1.5.2016)
We are a dispensing family doctor practice on the western side of Dorchester located on the edge of Poundbury, Dorset. We are located within Frederick Treves House, a purpose-built medical centre. We are on the left-hand-side as you enter the building. Our receptionists will offer you a warm welcome.
We cover a semi-rural and rural area that includes Dorchester and a surrounding area of approximately 5 miles radius.
We welcome new patients to join our practice. Click on the New Patients tab above to find out more.
Access
The practice has a parking area that includes spaces allocated for those with disability next to the front entrance. The building is designed to assist those with disability and there is a patient lift for those patients who are unable to use the stairs. All patient areas, including the toilets, are wheelchair accessible. We also have a ‘hearing aid loop’ facility. If you require any assistance with this please ask at reception.
With patient needs at the heart of everything we do, our website has been designed to make it easy for you to gain instant access to the information you need. As well as specific practice details such as our opening hours and how to register, you’ll find a wealth of useful pages covering a wide range of health issues along with links to other relevant medical organisations.
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Kind Words from a Member of the Public
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Running out of Medication?
Please do not go to A&E or Out of Hours if you run out of medication over a weekend or bank holiday. They will not be able to supply you with your medication. Please go to your usual pharmacy - they may give you sufficient supplies to see you through. However, there may be a charge for this.
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When We are Closed
If you need to seek urgent medical advice when the surgery is closed please phone 111.
You may be asked to attend the treatment centre which is situated in Dorset County Hospital. All phone conversations with NHS 111 are recorded as a matter of routine.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls free from landlines and mobile phones (although pay-as-you-go mobiles must have at least 1p credit).
Out-of-hours services are busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
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CQC INSPECTION
We had our CQC inspection on
11th January 2017.
Here is their final report .
CQC Report
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We are working to improve access to appointments for our patients, in particular at evenings and weekends. If you would like to be offered one of these appointments, please ask. These appointments are at a different site e.g. DCH.
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Our website address is:
(Site updated 09/11/2021)