Welcome to Riverside Medical Centre

Our Practice has a multidisciplinary team available to help our patients.  Our Reception Team will ask a few questions in order to direct you to the correct clinician or service.  We offer face to face, telephone or video consultations.  Patients can also use the Patchs, GP Online, service to contact the Practice. 

ANTIBIOTICS AWARENESS

Why won't the GP give me antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.  Antibiotics work by targeting the growth machinery in bacteria.  They do not work on VIRUSES.  Using antibiotics for viruses can put you at risk of getting a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment.  Knowing whether an infection is bacterial or viral helps to treat it effectively.  Antibiotics do not work against most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and influenza (flu) , which are caused by viruses.   We appreciate viruses are can make patients feel very unwell.  The management of viruses involves self care to combat the symptoms.  Antibiotics will not cure a virus.

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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?

1. Select the banner on your GP website (above)
2. Register for a Patchs account or use NHS Login
3. Login to Patchs. Always use the same method you used to register above i.e. using your Patchs account or NHS Login details.
4. 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.

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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?

• Sinusitis
• Sore throat
• Earache
• Infected insect bite
• Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

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

This will give GPs time and space to see patients with more complex conditions.

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.

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Or access using the web address

https://www.facebook.com/riversidemedicalcentrecastleford

https://www.instagram.com/riverside.mc/

https://x.com/GPRiverside

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 

Not online? Call 01924 224497

PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES

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

By calling 01924 234860 Weekdays 8am-8pm

Weekends 9AM-4PM

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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out their inspection in September 2019 and  found the Practice to be GOOD in all areas .  The CQC reviewed the Practice's data in April 2023 and found no reason to conduct a further review at present.