1. Patient Information Screen February 2017
Combs Ford Surgery
Patient Information Screen
February
2017

2. Checking In Screen
If checking in, please use the checking in touch screen. It asks 3 questions:
Month of birth
Day of birth – please select the actual date, not two separate numerals
First letter of your surname
This will help to eliminate queues and get you checked in quicker.

3. Lost Hours This is a total of 469 appointments missed in 3 months.
We have recently had a rise in patients not attending appointments. In the past three months, this is how many appointments were missed and how many hours were lost: October = 162 appointments = over 49 hours November = 145 appointments = over 43 hours December = 162 appointments = over 53 hours
This is a total of 469 appointments missed in 3 months.
A total of 145 hours of appointments lost in 3 months.
If you are unable to attend an appointment, please let reception know as soon as possible, so we can then offer the appointment to another patient.

4. Dispensary
Dispensary opening hours: 08:00-18:30 We are able to take phone calls between the hours of: 10:30-12:00 and 14:30-16:00 We ask patients to allow 3-4 days for prescriptions to arrive before medication is collected

5. Restricted Medication
The Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG are restricting certain medications from being prescribed as they are available to buy on the high street.
These include:
Paracetamol
Hay fever tablets
Emollient preparation creams

6. Additional GP Appointments – NHS GP+ Service:
weekends, evenings and bank holidays

7. Suffolk GP + This is an NHS service for-
People with a routine need to see a local doctor
People who find it difficult to attend weekday appointments

8. Appointments made via the practice, NHS 111 or out of hours service
Suffolk GP +
Appointments made via the practice, NHS 111 or out of hours service
Ipswich GP+ Bury GP+
Riverside Clinic Northgate St
Landseer Road Bury St Edmunds
IP3 0AZ IP33 1AE

9. Flu Clinic
We have still got flu appointments available. If you would like to book an appointment for your flu vaccination please speak to a member of reception.

10. Flu Clinic Eligibility
Patients eligible for the flu vaccination are as follows:
If you are aged 65 and over
Have a long term condition (Asthma, Diabetes, CHD, COPD, Stroke, etc)
Pregnant
A Carer

11. Smoking Cessation
Want help quitting but don’t know where to turn? Please speak to reception and they can give you information about our smoking cessation clinic, or visit to find other smoking cessation services available.

12. Care Quality Commission
We had our Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 9th June 2016 and are awaiting the report. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback to the CQC.

13. Care Quality Commission
CQC Report We have now received our final report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We are very pleased to hear we were rated as GOOD in every category. The report can be found in the waiting room or you can read the report online on the website below:

14. Online Blood Test Booking
If you are unable to book online please call  
Call Centre bookings available from 8am to 8pm Mon to Fri. 
Walk In patient access remains available too.
You can now book your next blood appointment online for the following: • West Suffolk Hospital and • Sudbury Health Centre

15. Self Referral Service For Physiotherapy
Online and telephone access
Contact them on , or visit
NHS funded
Initial contact within 1 week
Treatment is given according to individuals needs
Contact us directly or via your GP

16. Telephone Appointments
If you have a telephone appointment, please be aware that when the GP/Nurse Practitioner calls you, it will be from a withheld number.

17. Contact Telephone Number
It is important that we have the correct, up to date contact details for you, in case you request a telephone consultation. Also we may need to contact you with test results, and we also send text confirmations and reminders about appointments
If you have changed your contact details, please inform reception, or complete a change of contact details card found in the reception area.

18. Contact Details – TEENAGERS!
As you are getting older and taking more responsibility for yourself you may want us to have your personal contact details instead.
To check or change your contact details, please speak to reception.
Please check that we have the correct contact details for you on our system. We may have the telephone number of your home address and/or your parent’s mobile number.

19. Change Of Address
If you have moved house, please ask at reception for a change of address form. It is important we have your up to date address for any correspondence, and in case you require a home visit. If you have moved away from the Stowmarket area, you will need to register with a local surgery.

20. Online Booking
To register for online services you will need to bring TWO forms of identification to reception. We require one photo ID (e.g. Driving licence or Passport) AND One address ID (e.g. Utility bill, Bank statement) Once registered you will be able to order repeat prescriptions and book appointments online.

21. Appointments How we book our appointments:
We have on the day appointments
We have appointments available 1 or 2 days in advance
We also book appointments in days or weeks in advance
We also release our appointments for online booking, Please visit and follow links to book appointment (You will need to register for an online login and password)

22. Right Person, Right Time, Right Place
Denise Farrow
Nurse Practitioner
Andrew Toogood
Emergency Care Practitioner
Our Nurse Practitioner (Denise Farrow) and Emergency Care Practitioner (Andrew Toogood) are available to see you for a number of problems. They are likely to be able to see you on the day you call.

23. Right Person, Right Time, Right Place
Denise Farrow
Nurse Practitioner
Andrew Toogood
Emergency Care Practitioner
Denise and Andrew have direct access to a doctor at the practice, can arrange for a prescription if necessary and can refer you directly to a consultant or specialist if required. Talk to our reception team about making an appointment.

24. Right Person, Right Time, Right Place
Your local pharmacist can give you lots of advice on the best way to treat problems such as colds, coughs, minor burns, diarrhoea, sprains, bumps and bruises.

25. Courtesy and Politeness
Our reception staff strive to remain polite and courteous under often difficult circumstances. The doctors expect their patients to do the same Rude or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and could result in immediate removal from our list.

26. New Patients
We are accepting new patients as of Wednesday 4th January. We can allow a limited number of people each week to join our list. This is to ensure that we provide an effective and safe service to all of our patients. We are sure you will understand our reasons for this decision but if you have any queries please contact our Practice Manager.

27. Self Certification Information
How long can you self certify? Employees must give their employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (previously called a sick note) if they’re off for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days). Hospital doctors or GP’s provide them.
If you are off for less than 7 days, you will need to complete a self certificate, you can download a self certificate form from

28. Waiting Times
Please be a patient patient – in future it may be you requiring a longer appointment with the doctor

29. Experienced Medical Secretary
Job Vacancies
We are currently advertising for an
Experienced Medical Secretary
Please see our website for further details.

30. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Your local pharmacist can give you lots of advice on the best way to treat problems such as colds, coughs, minor burns, diarrhoea, sprains, bumps and bruises.”

31. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Need help coping with stress, depression or anxiety?
Suffolk Wellbeing Service offers a range of support that could help you feel better. Call or sign yourself up online at

32. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Back pain? Joint problems?
No GP appointment needed.”
Call for a physiotherapy appointment:
AHP Suffolk
Ipswich Hospital Physiotherapy

33. Your doctors and nurses say…
“If you need urgent healthcare, please call NHS 111 before you go to any other service. It is available 24/7 and free to call.”

34. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Parents can get free training to help you and your kids with their behaviour; no need to see your GP first.
Search online for Suffolk Parent Hub.”

35. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Did you know you can now sign yourself up to many health services in Suffolk, for free?
Get information and help quicker without having to see a GP.”

36. Your doctors and nurses say…
“If you're feeling unwell, pop into your local pharmacy for some friendly and helpful advice.”

37. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Keeping a supply of basic medicines at home means you can treat minor illness & injury more easily.”

38. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Sore throat? Bad cough? Think you’ve got the flu?
If you don’t know what to do, call NHS 111 or ask your pharmacist before seeing a GP.”

39. Your doctors and nurses say…
“Ouch! Dental pain...
We can't help
...but we know someone who can!
Call on Freephone number
for an emergency NHS dental appointment”