Patient News
We are sad to let you know that Dr Michael Musgrave has passed away.
He was a Partner at St. George’s Medical Centre for nearly 40 years. He was a kind and wise GP much loved by patients and colleagues. He will be missed.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, he asked for donations to be made to the Rennie Grove Hospice
This week marks Dying Matters Awareness Week – focusing on the importance of being #InAGoodPlace to die.
It has been a year like never before. The COVID-19 pandemic has put death and loss at the forefront of the nation's consciousness.
Research has found that people in the UK do not have end of life plans in place because they are unaware of what to do, and unsure of how to talk about it.
Just 13% of adults say they've let a close friend or family member know where they want to be when they die, and just three in ten know how to make arrangements to ensure they die in the place they would wish to.
There is no right or wrong place to die; it will be different for everyone. But it is important for families to think about it, to talk about it, and to plan for it.
We need to be braver about talking about death, dying and bereavement, and better at making sure the right plans are put in place to protect ourselves and our loved ones at the end of life.
In response to our patients’ feedback we have commissioned a new online consultation service called PATCHS which is more user-friendly, and when you need our help it only asks 4 questions to be submitted for triage.
From Thursday the 29th April 2021 you can access PATCHS via the home page of this website.
- You’ll be asked to enter your email address and set a password.
- Once you have registered, you can access PATCHS via this website or opening the PATCHS app on your smartphone. Login by entering your registered email address & password.
- Choose the appropriate option and answer a few simple questions to help your GP understand your problem.
- Your answers are sent to your GP who responds as quickly as possible. Initial responses may be via online message or phone, with face-to-face or video consultation appointments scheduled if necessary.
For more information on Patchs you can visit their website.
Please remember that we mainly use your mobile phone and email address to contact you, so ensure you have given us your latest contact information.
Our practice is taking part in the YouScreen HPV Self-Sampling Research Study. YouScreen is a research study that will offer 31,000 women and people with a cervix in north and east London the opportunity to take a self-sample for cervical screening. Further information about the research can be found at https://www.smallc.org.uk/YouScreen
Health and Wellbeing coaching now available.
Health and wellbeing coaching provides personalised support for people with long term conditions or patients who are newly diagnosed with a health condition to better manage their health.
Please read this health and wellbeing flyer for further information.
Your NHS needs you
COVID-19 has been the single greatest public health emergency in the history of the NHS.
The response of current NHS staff and those who have come forward to help out – whether the tens of thousands of former staff and students, or the hundreds of thousands of volunteers – has been nothing short of inspirational, and played a major role in the first phase of the pandemic.
At the same time as pulling out all the stops to ensure everyone who needed care has been able to get it, NHS people have also contributed to the important global effort to develop safe and effective vaccines for the virus, working closely with research partners.
While we don’t yet know which vaccines will be approved for use and when, the NHS is preparing extensively to begin delivering them as soon as we are able to.
This will be a huge task. The NHS has agreed a contract with GPs to ensure we benefit from their vast experience in delivering immunisations, but vaccinating millions of people as quickly as possible – at the same time as keeping other vital services going – will require lots more staff.
Can you help?
To help ensure that the NHS is able to deliver a large-scale vaccination programme without significantly impacting on other vital services, we are recruiting now to thousands of roles, including vaccinators, while also working with partners to build a bank of volunteers who can support vaccine services.
Paid roles
The Department for Health and Social Care recently changed the law to allow a wider group of staff to undertake training to deliver vaccines. This includes many allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and dental staff, as well as other individuals with appropriate first aid training, who are able to undertake additional comprehensive training; so opportunities for flexible, paid roles are open to lots of people.
Volunteer roles
The NHS has also asked St John Ambulance to help coordinate the training and deployment of thousands of volunteers who can help ensure the safe and smooth running of vaccination services. We will work with a range of other voluntary groups.
In all cases, full training and appropriate supervision and personal protective equipment will be available to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and patients.
Find out how you can help out by visiting the NHS England website.
Mary will sadly be leaving us on the 18th December 2020 after 17+ years caring for our patients at St. George’s Medical Centre. Since joining the team in October 2003 Mary has always been a valued and supportive team member as well as going the extra mile for our patients.
Whilst staff and patients will miss her, Mary has definitely earned a long and happy retirement.
We hope you will join us in wishing Mary and her family all the best for a happy and relaxing future.
Should you wish to send Mary a personal message please email it to us at stgeorges@nhs.net.
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. Designed for children and adults you can explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.For further information please click here.
You will need to wear a face mask when visiting St. George’s Medical Centre. The doctors advise that it is important to wear face masks when in enclosed areas, e.g. shops, buses, trains, etc. The majority of people will not be adversely affected by wearing a mask, including those with asthma. If you feel you have a legitimate medical reason not to wear a mask you can find out further information via this link.St. George’s Medical Centre will not be issuing any exception certificates or letters.
Please note that for quality and training purposes, all inbound and outbound telephone calls are recorded.
Advice in your region:
England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | Ireland
Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms
Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them.
Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms
Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.
Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.
Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.
Social distancing and changes to everyday life
Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus.
GOV.UK: coronavirus – guidance and support
Government information and advice.
The NHS in London is making it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment at the right time, without waiting for long periods of time to be seen in an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
The NHS is asking patients with an urgent, but not life-threatening, health problem to contact NHS 111 first if they think they need to attend an A&E. You can either call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
NHS 111 can now book time slots in all local A&Edepartments across England for those who need them, including at North Middlesex University Hospital, Barnet Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, UCLH and the Whittington.
If you need urgent or emergency care, NHS 111 will advise you where you need to go for treatment and a timeslot will be booked for you. NHS 111 can also make direct appointments at GP surgeries and urgent treatment centres or send an ambulance if your condition is serious or life-threatening.
By contacting NHS 111 first if you think you need to attend A&E for an urgent, but not serious or life-threatening medical need, you will:
- speak with a health care professional earlier, and get the right treatment first time
- be able to arrange an urgent face-to-face appointment, if needed.
- avoid waiting for a long time in A&E waiting rooms.
More doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, dental nurses and trained health advisors than ever before are available to look after Londoners as part of the NHS 111 service.
Callers in mental health crisis who call NHS 111 are assessed with the same care as callers with physical symptoms. Once assessed, the call is transferred to local mental health crisis services to ensure callers receive timely specialist mental health support.
Arrangements will not change for people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, who should still dial 999 immediately. If you do make your own way to an A&E, you will still receive medical care.
However, using 111 first will help you get quicker, safer care in the right environment. These changes will help the NHS to minimise the risk of coronavirus spreading by allowing more space for social distancing in A&E waiting rooms.
It might not feel like a good time to quit smoking – but it is. Last year, during lockdown, one million people quit. New research confirms that now those ex-smokers will now be feeling happier and more positive than if they were still smoking.
We don’t often talk about the benefits of quitting to mental health, but just as it improves your physical health, stopping smoking also improves your sense of wellbeing. Withdrawal can be tough, but with help, smokers can come out the other side feeling happier, healthier and wealthier too.
Are you ready to start your smokefree journey? With our help, you are 3 times more likely to succeed! It is #TimeToQuit
If you are a smoker who is aged 12 and over, there is a free and confidential one-to-one support programmes offered by St. George’s to help. This service is also suitable for people who smoke shisha.
If you’re a registered patient at St. George’s Medical Centre, simply complete an admin note on PATCHS to get the support you need to improve your wellbeing.
Further advice is available here: #TodayIsTheDay
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:
- the NHS App which you can download from app stores
- the NHS website
- 119 - by requesting a paper letter
You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified.
If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 7 working days for the letter to arrive.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.
When you're planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel.
As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.
These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help.
The “Your Covid Recovery” website is designed to help you understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.
Further information is available here.
You can tell us if you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care. This is commonly called a type 1 opt-out.
To opt-out please use the form below and send/hand it in to reception (not electronically).
Further information is available here.
The below video gives examples of abuse some GP practice reception teams have experienced first-hand, in their own words. Although most of our patients might find it unthinkable, our team have had to deal with similar comments and abuse, both over the phone and face-to-face. This is unacceptable and we will not hesitate to call it out when it occurs.
By sharing this we would like to highlight the issues faced by GP practice staff across the country but also to be thankful that, in contrast, most of our patients are generally gracious and courteous when speaking to our team. We are always trying to help, including when signposting patients to the most appropriate healthcare resource, and we thank our patients so much for being kind to us as it helps us to help you.
It is not in anyone’s job description to be abused or threatened in the workplace.
The NHS vaccination programme will offer every adult the chance to book a covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year to protect the nation against the Omicron variant.
As part of the biggest and fastest vaccine programme in health service history, online bookings are available for all those in their 30s and above from today.
The best way to get your vaccine is by booking online at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 – please do keep checking availability as appointments are loaded onto the system every day. The website and phoneline are understandably very busy and we thank you for your patience when booking.
The national booking service will then open up to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday this week.
The NHS is prioritising bookings for boosters and is urging people to book a slot to guarantee their vital jab. Some sites offer walk-in appointments where no appointment is needed. Please check here for clinics with walk-in availability and their opening hours www.happyhealthylives.uk/vaccinationdrop-ins
GP teams have been asked to clinically prioritise their services to free up maximal capacity to support the covid-19 vaccination programme, alongside delivering critical appointments such as cancer, urgent and emergency care. This might mean that for some people, routine appointments are postponed as part of the national mission to roll out boosters.
Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.That is why the Government has asked the NHS to prioritise boosters over other routine care.
We appreciate your support and understanding – and urge you to come forward for your vaccination as soon as possible.
Please find below current information and guidance from NHS England and the UK Government on proof of vaccination for 12-15yr olds, as of the 22/11/21:
“Only citizens aged 13 years and older can access the NHS App.
If you're aged 16 or over, you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass for travel.
If you're 18 or over, you can also use your digital NHS COVID Pass for domestic events and venues.
People under 18 do not have to show proof of their vaccination or test results for domestic events or venues in England.
You can get a COVID Pass Letter if:
- you're aged 16 or over
- you're fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine used in the UK
- you had your vaccination in England or the Isle of Man
- you’re registered with a GP in England or the Isle of Man
A GP is NOT able to issue a pass or any form of documentation that is valid for travel.
Persons travelling should always consult the ever changing requirements for entry into countries they intend to travel to. Some countries for example will allow children access if they are travelling with fully vaccinated adults with no requirements for testing, other countries insist that children have PCR tests prior to travel.
There is no current planned change to citizens under the age of 16 being able to access a COVID Pass for travel."
EMIS Health have received reports from both Patient Access users and people who have never registered for the service, that they have received Covid passport emails purporting to be from Patient Access.
They would like to share the following guidance from Patient Access: -
- EMIS Health advise users of Patient Access to check the name and email address of the sender; all emails from Patient Access will come via an email address that ends in @patientaccess.com.
- EMIS Health advise users never to click on any log in links that you receive via email but to visit the site via the address bar of your browser instead so that you know you are on the genuine Patient Access log in page. You can find more information and guidance on our information security page here: https://www.patientaccess.com/security
- EMIS Health strongly advise users to set up their Memorable Word security feature, as well as using biometrics (fingerprint ID) if they use the app.
- Email addresses used to register for Patient Access account are secure. They do not share any data and no data is ever saved or stored on any device you use to access Patient Access.
St. George’s Medical Centre is a Veteran Friendly Practice, accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
If you are a veteran of the UK armed forces please find below a copy of the RCGP Top Tips leaflets for veterans, as well as a copy of the RCGP Veteran Patient Charter.
At St. George's Medical Centre we have face-to-face, video and telephone appointments to make sure you get the right care from the right person.
We remain open and are grateful for your patience as we continue to deliver the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS whilst supporting our patients.
Our staff are here to help and abuse will not be tolerated.
We know these are challenging times for everyone. As restrictions ease – please be kind as we work differently to protect our patients and staff and help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Some individuals who are immunosuppressed due to underlying health conditions or medical treatment may not mount a full immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. Whilst most people will have had 2 doses to complete their primary schedule of COVID-19 vaccination, the aforementioned immunosuppressed individuals will need a 3rd dose.
This is different from patients who may need a booster Covid-19 vaccine following their primary 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Immunosuppressed patients are being invited to have their 3rd primary dose.
Patients who are eligible for a booster vaccine will be invited separately. Please do not contact the surgery with enquiries about the Covid vaccine booster as it blocks access for people who need our assistance when they are unwell.
A supplier to the NHS has advised us of a shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests.
Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems will still get one but only where your clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so. You may be asked to come back for a test at a later date if your need is not urgent.
Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when any non-urgent tests will begin to be scheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be scheduling less urgent tests when supplies become more easily available.
If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the practice by submitting a PATCHS request.
We are still awaiting final details of the Covid booster and flu immunisation programmes.
As with the previous vaccinations you will automatically be invited when you are due.
Please do not contact the surgery with enquiries about the Covid vaccine booster as it blocks access for people who need our assistance when they are unwell.
We are pleased to have new members of the team join us this summer, but please be patient whilst they’re being trained.
Thank you for your understanding.
We are conscious that some patients may be affected by current events in Afghanistan.
If you are a member of the Afghan community or a military veteran (including family members) and recent events have affected you, please seek help by completing a referral form for yourself on the IAPT website.
Please check this leaflet to see details on changes to the phlebotomy services.
At St. George’s we’re working closely with our Primary Care Network colleagues to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination to our patients.
We have now sent out an invitation to all those who are included in the priority groups as per Government guidelines. If you are aged 18+ and have not received your invite please go to the NHS website to book your vaccine.
For those who have already received their first Covid vaccine from our vaccine hub, you will be invited for your second Covid vaccine 6+ weeks from your first dose.
Whilst we appreciate you may have many questions relating to receiving your vaccination, please do not to phone the practice regarding the vaccine. Our sick and vulnerable patients are struggling to get through on our phones as so many calls are information questions about the vaccine.
Further information that may answer many of your questions can be found on the NHS website.
Please make sure we have your correct contact information, especially your current mobile number as text message is our preferred method of sending invites. If you need to update your records please do so via Patient Access (requires login), or via an admin PATCHS form.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors. While COVID restrictions will end in many settings in England from 19 July, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.
Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors and across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.
Read the infection prevention control guidance for further details.
If you live in England and have had one or more of your COVID-19 vaccinations administered overseas, you can have your vaccination details added to your NHS Record. You can then generate an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use and international travel if you meet certain certification requirements.
Eligible vaccines
You can use this service if you’ve had one or more of the following vaccines:
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Pfizer
- Janssen
There will remain a small number of countries and territories where this service will not be enabled. However, international COVID-19 certification accepted at the UK border is also accepted at events and venues in England.
Book an appointment to register your overseas vaccinations
To register your overseas vaccinations, you’ll need to book an appointment at a selected list of vaccination centres across England.
Book an appointment to register your overseas vaccination with the NHS.
Staff are not able to register your overseas vaccinations unless you book in advance.
Details of your overseas vaccination will then be recorded in the National Immunisation Management System.
If you’re registered with a GP in England and were vaccinated in Scotland, Wales or the Isle of Man, you do not need to book an appointment at a vaccination centre. Those registered with a GP in England who received Novavax, Valneva and Medicago vaccinations administered in the UK can also access an NHS COVID Pass.
If you need help using this service, contact the NHS COVID Pass service by telephoning:
- 119 from the UK
- 0151 905 0119 from overseas (you’ll be charged according to your carrier’s rates)
Although regulations regarding mask wearing have relaxed, you are still required to wear a mask when visiting any NHS healthcare setting. This includes GP practices.
We currently have the following opportunities available to join our great team: -
For more information, and to apply, please click on the links above to view on the NHS Jobs website.
If you have any questions about your out-patient referral or appointment at the Royal Free London, please contact the out-patient appointments call centre. The team will be able to answer your questions including if you’re waiting to be booked and about your upcoming appointments. The call centre can be contacted by calling 020 7443 9757.
If you have queries about an in-patient / day-surgery appointment contact the relevant admissions team, depending on where your procedure is due to take place: -
Barnet Hospital or Chase Farm Hospital: 020 3758 2011
Edgware Community Hospital: 020 7830 2849 ext. 38279
Royal Free Hospital: 020 7830 2849
Please note all lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm (excluding bank holidays).