Remember to order your repeat prescription ahead of Easter

With the Easter bank holidays fast approaching, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is urging members of the public to order repeat prescriptions in good time.

Bank holiday weekends typically see an increase in people contacting the NHS 111 service for emergency prescriptions because they are running out of medication.

Last Easter, NHS 111 received more than double the number of calls from people across the North West who needed to order repeat prescriptions – 4,176 calls compared with 1,645 the previous weekend.

For any repeat prescriptions that are due over the Easter weekend – from Good Friday (18 April) to Easter Monday (21 April) – people should place their orders by Friday 11 April at the latest to ensure they can be processed and collected in time.

A quick and easy way to request repeat prescriptions is by using the NHS App. You can order your medication at a time that’s convenient for you and choose which pharmacy you would like to collect them from.

You can download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website. If you’re struggling to get started, use the ‘Help’ button in the app or visit nhs.uk/helpmeapp.

Susanne Lynch MBE, Chief Pharmacist for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“If you take regular medications to manage a condition, don’t wait for your prescription to run out before making a request, as it can take time for your request to be processed by your GP practice and dispensed by your pharmacy.

“This is especially true during busy periods such as Easter, which is why we’re asking people to order their repeat prescriptions by Friday 11 April – earlier if possible – to avoid the risk of running out of vital medication during the bank holidays.

“Before making a request, please check what medicines you have at home and only order what you need to avoid unnecessary medicine waste, which costs the NHS around £300 million annually.”

As well as ordering repeat medications, the NHS App allows people to book and cancel appointments at their GP practice, view their health record and get trusted NHS information and health advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“Many pharmacies will be closed or operating on reduced hours on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice. 

“GP practices will also be closed during the bank holidays, so planning ahead by ordering your repeat prescriptions in good time will avoid you having to use urgent or emergency services over the break, which can put added pressure on already busy NHS services.

“If you need urgent health advice while your GP practice is closed and aren’t sure what to do, make NHS 111 online your first port of call.”

To find your nearest pharmacy and check their opening times, visit www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy.

Urgent and emergency care services will be open over Easter. You should call 999 or visit accident and emergency (A&E) in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency.

For urgent health advice that isn’t an emergency, go to 111.nhs.uk, call 111 or access NHS 111 via the NHS App.

Pharmacies open over Easter in Sefton

The opening hours below are taken from the NHS Find a Pharmacy website and may be subject to change, please check with your pharmacy.

Good Friday opening

Easter Sunday opening

Easter Monday opening

SECURITY ALERT: Be aware of scam phone calls

There have been increased reports of scam phone calls to patients within Cheshire and Merseyside, with the phone number pretending to be from their GP Practice.

Scam callers are seeking to obtain both personal and financial information. Please be aware that patients will never be asked for your bank details over the phone.

Reporting suspected cyber crime

If you suspect a scam or fraud is taking place, please report it to: Reporting fraud and cyber crime | Action Fraud or call 0300 123 20 40.

Christmas & New Year Opening Times 2024/25

Dear Patient,

We wish our patients all the best for the upcoming holiday season.

Please note that the surgery will be closed on the following bank holidays:

• Christmas Day - Wednesday 25th December 2024
• Boxing Day - Thursday 26th December 2024
• New Year's Day - Wednesday 1st January 2024

When the surgery is closed, if you require non-urgent medical advice, you will need to call NHS 111 or use the 111 Online service at 111.nhs.uk

In an emergency, call 999.

Many pharmacies will be closed or operating on reduced hours. To find your nearest pharmacy and check their opening times, visit www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy.

Formby Medical Group is now on Facebook

For our patients who use social media, we have now launched a Facebook page where you can follow us for news, updates, health advice and more.

Search in the Facebook app for "Chapel Lane Surgery & The Hollies Family Surgery".

Or please go to: facebook.com/FormbyMedicalGroup

We will continue to post news and updates to this website as well, so don't worry if you don't use social media.

Prescribing of over the counter medicines

South Sefton and Southport and Formby localities do not support the routine prescribing (NHS funding) of over-the-counter medicines for self-limiting conditions or minor ailments. There will be occasions however where prescribers may use their clinical judgement when consulting individual patients for a minor ailment and will decide if a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine is warranted. The CCGs supports signposting of their residents to selfcare solutions whenever possible and appropriate.  

There are general exceptions to this, and this includes Individual patients where the clinician considers that their ability to self-manage is compromised as a consequence of medical, mental health or significant social vulnerability to the extent that their health and/or wellbeing could be adversely affected, if reliant on self-care. Consideration should also be given to safeguarding issues.

Please note that being exempt from paying a prescription charge does not automatically warrant an exception to the guidance

Please read the following document for more information:

Over the Counter Medicines Leaflet (PDF format)

FREE Winter Flu Vaccine For Over 65s - 3rd October 2024

Dear Patient,

You are invited for your FREE Winter Flu Vaccine

Your flu vaccination has been ordered and is reserved for you at the surgery

Each year a free flu vaccine is offered to people who are age 65 years or over. We will be managing our flu clinics in a similar way as we did last year.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff we will require you to follow the following instructions:

• On the day of the appointment if have any Covid-19 symptoms you must not come to the practice.
• We will be operating a one-way system with the rear entrance at the car park being the way in. You will exit via the front door on to Chapel Lane.
• Arrive at the time of your appointment, please do not arrive early.
• You may need to queue outside so please be prepared to stand in the cold or rain.
• When you enter the building, you will need to remove your outer layers so that the top of your arm is exposed ready for your injection.

The flu clinic will be held at Chapel Lane Surgery.

Please attend the flu clinic on Thursday 3^rd October 2024 at the allocated time for you surname:

If you cannot attend this date, please contact the surgery to book an alternative date. We will be holding extra flu clinics in the surgery at later dates for those who cannot attend.

Yours sincerely,

Dr D Callow, Mrs K White, Dr E H Ball and Dr S Lindsay

Follow our Facebook page for all the latest updates from your GP Surgery!

Incident in Southport - Monday 29th July 2024

We understand that the tragic incident that took place on Monday 29th July in Southport will have affected many people in different ways.

We have been working with partners in the area to share the local support available to those who live in the area and some information about what happens after a distressing or frightening event, how people may feel and where to seek help should they need it.

Please visit this page on Sefton Council's website for further information and support available, which will be regularly updated:

Support (sefton.gov.uk)

GP Patient Survey 2024 results

Please see below the results from the 2024 GP Patient Survey.

GP Patient Survey 2024 results

Joint, bone or muscle problem? Back or neck pain?

If you have these symptoms, you can use a new online assessment service to get help quicker - without having to see your GP first.

Available 24/7, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to do and is the quickest way to get the help you need.

Please click on this link to get started.

Please note:

You have to be aged 16 or over to use this service; under 16s need to see their GP for a physiotherapy referral.

This service is only for patients registered with a GP in Southport, Formby or West Lancashire.

Christmas & New Year Opening

Dear Patient,

Please note that the surgery will be closed on the following bank holidays:

• Christmas Day - Monday 25th December 2023
• Boxing Day - Tuesday 26th December 2023
• New Year's Day - Monday 1st January 2024

When the surgery is closed, if you require non-urgent medical advice, you will need to call NHS 111 or use the 111 Online service at 111.nhs.uk

In an emergency, call 999.

Pharmacies

On Christmas Day, there will be two pharmacies open at different times during the day in the Southport and Formby region:

• Open from 10:00am to 12:00pm: Cambridge Road Pharmacy, 137 Cambridge Road, Churchtown, PR9 7LT
• Open from 2:00pm to 4:00pm: Whitworth Chemists, 11 Norwood Avenue, Southport, PR9 7EG

There are no pharmacies in Southport and Formby planned to open on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. For full details of the Christmas and New Year pharmacy rota in the surrounding areas, please see the following documents below as published by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside:

Directed Rota Christmas Day 2023 (PDF file)

Directed Rota Boxing Day 2023 (PDF file)

Directed Rota New Years Day 2024 (PDF file)

You can also search for your nearest pharmacy and find out their opening times at: www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy

Prescription Queries

Dear Patient,

If you use an online service like Patient Access or the NHS App, you can request your repeat medication directly through this service.

We have now turned off the function to add a note to your request. Instead, if you have a prescription or medication query, please email: cmicb-sf.prescriptions@nhs.net

Many thanks,

Formby Medical Group

Your general practice team is here to help you

At many GP surgeries, there is a range of health professionals who can help you.

In this film, three children go behind the scenes at a general practice to meet some of those health professionals.

Your general practice team is here to help you: nhs.uk/GPservices

Patient Triage launch Monday 4th September 2023

Dear Patient,

From Monday 4th September 2023, we will be replacing our existing online consultation service, eConsult, with a new service called Patient Triage.

For more information, please visit the following page on our website: Formby Medical Group - Patient Triage

Please use this system in the first instance to contact the surgery with a non-urgent medical request or admin request. If you do not have access to the internet or you are unable to complete the request form, please call our reception team on 01704 876363 / 877600 who will be happy to assist you to complete the form, or can complete the form for you.

All requests will be reviewed by the clinical team. You will then be contacted either by telephone or text message with an outcome. If the doctor needs to examine you, they will arrange a time for you to come into the practice.

The Patient Triage system will be available 8am-5pm Monday to Friday, but please note access may be switched off earlier in the day if we have reached capacity.

When the system is turned off during surgery opening hours, you will need to phone the surgery on 01704 876363 / 877600.

When the surgery is closed, you will need to call 111 or complete a request on 111 Online. Call 999 in an emergency.

Flu Clinic 2023 for Over 65s - Saturday 16th September 2023

Dear Patient,

You are invited for your FREE Winter Flu Vaccine

Each year a free flu vaccine is offered to people who are age 65 years or over. We will be managing our flu clinics in a similar way as we did last year.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff we will require you to follow the following instructions:

• On the day of the appointment if have any Covid-19 symptoms you must not come to the practice
• We will be operating a one-way system with the rear entrance at the carpark being the way in. You will exit via the front door on to Chapel Lane
• Arrive at the time of your appointment, please do not arrive early
• You may need to queue outside so please be prepared to stand in the cold or rain
• When you enter the building, you will need to remove your outer layers so that the top of your arm is exposed ready for your injection

The flu clinic will be held at Chapel Lane Surgery.

Please attend the flu clinic on Saturday 16th September 2023 at the allocated time for your surname:

A, B, C, D – 08:00 to 09:00

E, F, G, H, I, J – 09:00 to 10:00

K, L, M, N, O – 10:00 to 11:00

P, Q, R, S – 11:00 to 12:00

T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z – 12:00 to 13:00

Yours sincerely,

Dr D Callow, Mrs K White, Dr E H Ball and Dr S Lindsay

Flu Clinic 2023

We will once again be holding our annual over 65 flu clinic on Saturday 16^th September on site at Chapel Lane Surgery. You will be notified shortly of the arrangements and time to attend. Thank you for supporting your surgery by having your flu vaccine with us.

Try the NHS App

If you’re a patient at our practice, you can use the NHS App to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

It doesn’t replace existing services. You can still contact us in the usual ways.

But, once you have verified your identity in the app, you will have easy, 24/7 access to a growing range of health services and information. You can:

• order repeat prescriptions
• access NHS 111 online
• find NHS services
• view your health records
• book appointments
• and much more…

If you have any problems using the NHS App, you can select ‘help’ in the top right-hand corner of the app or visit nhs.uk/helpmeapp.

The NHS App is available on iOS and Android:

You can also use the NHS website.

Urgent Repeat Prescription Request Policy

Dear Patient,

Due to an increasing number of requests for repeat prescriptions to be issued urgently, we have had to review how we handle these requests in order to provide safe and consistent service to all our patients. Requests for prescriptions outside the normal prescription protocol impacts significantly on both doctor and administration staff time.

We respectfully ask that you familiarise yourself with our policy for urgent repeat prescription requests. A copy of the full policy can be found at the page linked to below:

Click here to view our Urgent Repeat Prescription Request Policy

This page is also linked to on the right-hand side menu of our main "Prescriptions" page, which is linked to at the top of every page on our website.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Formby Medical Group

Phlebotomy for Southport and Formby patients

MESSAGE FROM NHS MERSEY CARE TO ALL SOUTHPORT AND FORMBY GP PATIENTS:

Southport and Formby patients given access to online booking system for blood tests

Southport and Formby patients will be able to arrange their own blood tests online using ‘Simply Book’ https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/mybloodtest

It aims to ease the demand on services and is in response to a recent survey which identified that patients would prefer to use an online booking system for their blood tests.

Our Phlebotomy Service is historically one of the busiest services run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in your area. The online booking system, which goes live on 4 July 2023 for bookings for week commencing 17 July 2023 will provide flexibility and patient choice with time slots and different clinic sites.

Phlebotomy clinics are by appointment only and patients will need to book either via https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/mybloodtest or the appointment booking line on 0151 285 4548 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm).

Please note Only adult blood test appointments can be booked by patients via Simply Book. Bookable appointments are available at the following clinics:

• Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Sandbrook Road, PR8 3RW
• Churchtown, Cambridge Road PR9 7LT
• Formby Clinic, Philips Lane, L37 4AY
• Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Houghton Street, PR9 0PQ

All GP practices must provide patients with a blood form when they are requesting or booking a blood appointment. Patients must bring this with them, or we won’t be able to continue the appointment.

Digital Health Library

Dear Patient,

If you’d like to improve your health but don’t require medical attention, you may wish to try a health app

All of the apps in our Health App Library have been independently verified for their clinical or professional assurance, data privacy and accessibility, so you can be sure they’re safe for you to use. This Library contains thousands of apps across many health areas, and you can refine your search results to find the best one for you.

Go to Cheshire & Merseyside (orchahealth.com) to start managing your health today.

Important notice for Hollies patients regarding online access to your health records

Due to the recent merger of the clinical systems of The Hollies and Chapel Lane Surgery, if you were previously a registered patient at The Hollies, you will need to register again for online access to your health records, such as requesting prescriptions, viewing immunisation records, and viewing test results.

We were previously of the understanding that users of the NHS App would have this access reinstated automatically after this change. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, and we apologise for the frustration this has caused.

If you use the NHS App, you will need to delete your account and re-register.

To find this click on the three dots on the top right of the home screen for “More”, select Account and Settings, Manage NHS Account, scroll down and select Login Details, scroll down further and select delete my NHS Account.

Log out of the application and when logging back in the App will ask you to register.

If you use another App such as Patient Access, Evergreen or any other you will need a new linkage key and if prompted select Chapel Lane Surgery as your GP Practice.

If you previously had an online account at The Hollies, please contact us either by phone, email, or in person to request your new linkage key. Our contact details are provided below:

Phone: 01704 877600 / 876363

Email: cmicb-sf.formby-medical@nhs.net

We will verify the email address you give us matches with the one on your GP record. Providing this matches up correctly, we will then create a new online account, and provide you with a linkage key needed to register for online access.

We appreciate your patience and will get this information to you as soon as possible.