Practice News
Supporting Dads
Calling all dads in Hertfordshire!
Discover a wealth of resources and support tailored just for you at the Families First Support for Dads webpage. Whether you're looking for parenting tips, local activities, or advice, we've got you covered. What you'll find:-
- Parenting advice and tips
- Local events and activities
- Support services and resources
- Community connections
Visit our page and be the best dad you can be!
We are hiring an Administrator
The duties will include:
- Undertaking a variety of administrative duties including the provision of secretarial and clerical support to clinical staff and other members of the practice team.
- Data entry and read coding of relevant patient information and medical data into the clinical system.
- Scanning patient information into computerised records, including medical documents, hospital records and letters, as necessary.
- Allocating workflow for review by doctors or other health professionals.
- Processing practice post and emails.
- Registering new patients.
- Covering reception, as and when required.
- Handling enquiries efficiently.
- Chronic Disease review appointment monitoring.
We would welcome applications from organised, adaptable and friendly individuals who are keen to help us provide high levels of customer service. Applicants should have the following skills and experience:
- An experienced administrator, with excellent IT, time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively, working in a confidential and discreet manner.
- Ability to multi-task, work efficiently and maintain a high level of attention to detail, when under pressure.
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, as well as independently.
- Primary care experience is desirable but not essential.
Some flexibility is required as you will sometimes need to work additional or alternative hours to cover for colleagues.
Please note this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order)1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
We are hiring a Receptionist/Care Navigator
About the Role
Sheepcot Medical Centre in north Watford, has an opportunity for an enthusiastic and proactive receptionist to join our team on a part-time basis for 25-30 hours per week.
The receptionist plays a pivotal role in the experience of patients at our practice, helping them to access the right services and dealing with their queries face-to-face, online and by telephone.
The main responsibilities of the role include:
- Greeting and directing all patients.
- Making appointments.
- Answering queries and complaints from patients and outside agencies, signposting to the appropriate staff member as appropriate.
- Accepting, issuing and handing out prescriptions, letters, completed forms, specimen bottles, etc.
- Advising patients of practice procedures.
- Registering new patients.
- Accurately maintaining patient database and records, photocopying, filing and scanning.
General practice is a challenging environment that requires a calm and caring approach with the ability to work under pressure. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated team player who has customer service/patient experience, offers excellent communication skills, and has the following attributes:
- Ability to work in a polite, confidential and discreet manner, respecting patients and colleagues at all times.
- Experience of working with the general public, being sensitive and empathic in distressing situations.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Strong IT and administration skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Previous medical or healthcare receptionist experience is desirable.
Some flexibility is required, as you will sometimes need to work additional or alternative hours to cover for colleagues.
We Are a 3 GP partner, 4 Salaried GP Practice looking after approximately 11,000 patients. We are also a huge training practice supporting multiple medical schools.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
To apply please follow the link - Receptionist/Care Navigator in Hertfordshire - Primary Care Careers
Local health services are extremely busy
Local NHS services are under extreme pressure as they are looking after
rising numbers of very unwell people.
New NHS data covering the Christmas and New Year period shows flu
cases have continued to skyrocket with the numbers of people hospitalised
with flu quadrupling in a month and hundreds of people in critical care.
The NHS is also seeing rising cases of COVID, winter vomiting bugs and
respiratory (breathing) illnesses.
To help prevent avoidable illness, protect vulnerable relatives and friends
and ensure that vital NHS services are there for those who need them,
local NHS leaders are calling on everyone in our area to follow this
advice:
🔵 Make sure that you and your family are up to date with flu, COVID,
and RSV vaccinations. These vaccines are especially important for
older people, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant
women. Visit the Hertfordshire and west Essex vaccination hub for
more information on who is eligible and how to get your vaccine. https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/
🔵 If you or your family get the norovirus bug that causes sickness and
diarrhoea, treat this at home with plenty of rest and drinking lots of
fluids. Reduce the spread by washing your hands frequently with
soap and water – hand gels won’t kill norovirus. Stay at home and
especially stay away from care homes, hospitals and social
occasions until you’ve been clear of symptoms for at least two days.
You will still be very infectious until then.
🔵 If you or a loved one are very unwell, get medical advice straight
away. Early help can prevent hospital admissions and save lives. If
you need help for a minor concern, see if your local pharmacy is
open as they can often help when GP practices are closed.
🔵 Contact NHS 111 free for urgent help or if you’re unsure. Don’t forget the
mental health support on offer via NHS 111 – choose option 2 when
you get through.
🔵 You can help your General Practice by using online consultations where
possible and avoiding calling at the 8am rush. Visit your practice website
for information on how to access their services if you need help with an
ongoing health concern.
🛑 For minor illness or concerns there is a service that allows you to walk into
a pharmacy and see a pharmacist who can offer appropriate advice, treatment and support for the following range of minor illnesses and health
concerns:
🛑 Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
🛑 Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
🛑 Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
🛑 Sore throats (aged 5 years and over)
🛑 Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
🛑 Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
🛑 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)
Where the pharmacist is unable to help or any symptoms warrant further
investigation, the pharmacist can direct the individual to their GP surgery or
another health care professional as appropriate.
Find a pharmacy open near you on the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
For more information on keeping well this winter visit the Hertfordshire and
west Essex winter health and wellbeing information hub.https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/stay-well/winter-health-and-wellbeing-hub/
Thank you for playing your part in helping the NHS.
Healthy Herts
Their aim is to promote cardiovascular health and well-being throughout the local community in Hertfordshire, England.
Whether you're managing cardiovascular conditions, concerned about your heart health, or caring for a family member, they're here to provide support.
Explore the website for valuable resources, including links to support organisations, frequently asked questions, and a form where you can express interest in participating in their events.
Collaborating closely with the practice team, they're committed to refining the referral process, ensuring tailored support through local charities and social prescribers. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to the practice directly or complete their contact form.
PCN Training Closures
This means that our surgery & its doors are CLOSED from 1pm - 5:30pm and our triage forms are also closed.
During this time Herts Urgent Care take over our telephone calls and support us for any patients requiring medical assistance. NHS 111 is also an option available and you are advised to go to A & E in a medical Emergency.
- Thursday 5th September
- Tuesday 8th October
- Wednesday 6th November
Blood Tests
A notice from West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
You now need to book an appointment for a blood test
From December 1st you can register with the online system to book appointments from December 14th
