Riverside Medical Centre - Information about the doctors surgery opening hours, appointments, online prescriptions, health information and much more

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You have probably noticed that something is wrong. Look at the difficulty you have in getting an appointment at your local surgery. When you do get through, there may not be an appointment with a GP at all. Have you lost your regular family doctor? You are not alone.

General Practice is collapsing. Every practice across England is struggling to keep its doors open.

We value our patients. We know that most patients value us too, especially when they need us regularly. You know we can deal with most of your health problems, keep you out of hospital, and have your best interests at heart. The problem is with the mismanagement of the NHS.

Your GP is an expert in general medical practice – trained over 10 years to deal with complex problems, spot serious symptoms, and decide when you need specialist help at the hospital.

But did you know that your practice receives just £107 per year for each patient, whatever their health needs. That’s less than the cost of an annual TV licence.

This equates to at most 2-3 contacts per year per patient, compared to the cost of an outpatient appointment estimated to start at £130-£400, there is something about demand and reasonable expectation. , this equates to at most 2-3 contacts per year per patient, compared to the cost of an outpatient appointment estimated to start at £130-£400, there is something about demand and reasonable expectation.

To deliver the care needed it is important that GPs are working within safe limits- if doctors are overstretched that is when mistakes can happen and that is NOT what we want for our patients. To ensure safe working practice, we will be following recommendation BMA (British Medical Society) guidance. For patients this means that when our service is at capacity, we will redirect you to other services as appropriate to ensure you get the correct care when you need it. This means that the reception team will ask you what your complaint is to ensure that you get access to the right professional at the right time.

We believe general practice deserves a bigger slice of NHS funding so we can train and hire more GPs, deliver the services you require and make it easier for you and your loved ones to get appointments to see your GP and practice team. GPs want the same things that you do. We believe nobody should struggle to see their family doctor. General Practice should be as it once was – a familiar family doctor, offering continuity of care in a surgery full of friendly familiar faces within a safe building where you knew you would get the care you needed.

When candidates from the political parties come knocking on your door, ask them what they will do to save general practice. What will they do so you can see a GP in a modern local surgery?

Your local practice should have a patient participation group (PPG), which you could join to support the practice and influence the way they deliver local services.

111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally.

Your needs will be assessed and you will be given advice about whether you need:

If you need face to face medical attention you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Centre.

To see an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses seven days a week 08:00 until 20:00. You do not need an appointment.

Pontefract Hospital is an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC). This service is for non-life threatening illness or injury 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

PATCHS WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER UNTIL THURSDAY 2ND JANUARY AS ALL APPOINTMNTS WILL BE CHANGED TO ON THE DAY ONLY. TO ENSURE WE HAVE CAPACITY TO SEE PATIENTS WHO ARE ACUTELY UNWELL, WE WILL NOT BE BOOKING ANY ADVANCE, REVIEWS OR FOLLOW UPS DURING THIS TIME.

Patchs helps you contact your GP practice by completing a form on the internet. It's quicker and easier than using a telephone.

Just answer a few simple questions and Patchs will get you the help you need quickly.

How does Patchs work?

Select the banner on your GP website (above)
Register for a Patchs account or use NHS Login
Login to Patchs. Always use the same method you used to register above i.e. using your Patchs account or NHS Login details.
Submit your request to your GP Practice. Choose an option (e.g. New health problem) and answer a few simple questions to help your GP understand how they can help.

Patchs is only available during our opening hours (monday-Friday 8am-6.30pm). If you require assistance outside of these hours, please contact the Practice by telephone and you will directed to our out of hours provider or another appropriate service.

PHARMACY FIRST

What is Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First will enable community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP.

What are the seven common conditions?

How can I access treatment from my pharmacy?

You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them virtually. GP receptionists, NHS 111 and providers of emergency care will also be able to direct patients to pharmacies, that offer the service, if contacted.

What will happen when I arrive at the pharmacy?

The pharmacist will be able to speak to you privately in a separate consultation room. They may perform an examination or ask to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action on an individual patient basis, including by issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary.

How will this reduce NHS waiting times?

By reducing the number of patients with common conditions, needing blood pressure checks or oral contraception visiting a GP, Pharmacy First aims to free up 10 million GP appointments a year by next winter for more complex diagnosis

Four in five people in England can reach a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk and there are twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived communities, making access to care quicker and more convenient.

How do I know if my local pharmacy is offering the service?

More than 10,000 pharmacies have already signed up to Pharmacy First – that’s over 95 per cent of all those in England.

Will I have to pay for my medication?

Usual prescription charges will apply for the seven common conditions. Patients that were already exempt from prescription charges will still be exempt.

What if I still want to see my GP?

Patients can still choose to visit a GP if they wish to. Pharmacy First offers alternative access for these seven conditions and we encourage people to make the most of this service and to consult the highly trained professions in their local pharmacy.

We are working to expand GP access, and have now delivered on our manifesto commitment for 50 million more general practice appointments per year. We are also growing the primary care workforce and we hit our target for 26,000 additional staff in primary care by March 2024 more than a year early.

Or access using the web address

You can now self refer to a number of services without seeing a GP.

PHYSIO - You can now refer yourself directly for MSK physiotherapy without needing an appointment at your GP practice. You must be aged 16 or over and registered with a qualifying GP surgery.
For details and to complete the online form, please visit novushealth.co.uk

If you are feeling down, worried, anious or depressed you can access support in person, over the telephone or via online support from Turning Point. If you are aged over 16 and registered with a Wakefield or 5 towns GP, you can access NHS funded Talking Therapy. You can refer yourself via an oline form at: https://www.turning-point.co.uk