Primary Care Networks (PCN) are groups of GP Practices who work together and are commissioned to deliver enhanced services. Vine House is part of North Watford PCN along with Abbotswood Medical Centre and Sheepcot Medical Centre.
As you may know, we currently provide GP extended hours. However, from 1st October 2022 this will be changing to provide access to a wider variety of “out of hours” services which will be more consistent across the country. All PCNs have been asked to provide this enhanced service Monday-Friday 6.30pm – 8.00pm and Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm.
To ensure this meets the needs of all our patients, we would be most grateful if you could answer the following questions which will help give us guidance in providing the best possible service to you, our patients.
URINE SAMPLE DROP OFF - NEW TIME : all urine samples must now be dropped off at the surgery by 12.30 pm. Many thanks.
Appointments
When you call to make an appointment with a GP or nurse we will ask you to tell us why you need medical help. This will help us decide how best we can help you. The majority of our appointments are "on the day" but we are now offering a small number of advanced booking appointments
If appropriate, we will book you a telephone consultation and the GP will call you back the same day. The GP may offer you a video consultation or, if they need to see you face to face, they will arrange this with you. DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS THE GP ASKS YOU TO.
Please do not contact the practice for medical help linked to coronavirus. Simply follow the latest Government advice on coronavirus further down this page.
Online services
At present you are unable to book appointments on line but please do use other online services, including:
Ordering repeat prescriptions – please only order what you need
Checking your medical record
Coming Soon - a new website is in the pipeline and will be with us soon!
NHS Patients, staff and visitors must continue to wear face coverings in healthcare settings.
COVID Vaccination Status
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. Vaccine status will be available from:
the NHS App which you can download from app stores
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.
Patient letters regarding recent changes at the surgery - please click on the link below:
AccuRx Video Consultations
The Practice is using AccuRx to carry out video consultations. The consultation is not stored or recorded within the AccuRx system, the clinical staff member is required to record observations and outcomes of the consultation directly into patient records in the same way as a face to face consultation. (as of 12/03/20)
Photographs
Please note, if the GP requests that you send in photographs relating to your condition, these will be saved securely on your medical record. Please do not send photographs of an intimate nature.
Repeat Prescriptions
We aim to send all prescriptions, including repeat prescriptions, through the electronic prescription service (EPS) to your nominated pharmacy. If you do not have a nominated pharmacy you can choose one online or ask your usual pharmacy to set this up for you. If you currently manage you own prescription requests and your prescription cannot be sent through EPS to a nominated pharmacy, you will need to contact the practice either online, via the telephone or by completing a request slip and placing it in the secure box in our front lobby. With regret, we are unable to accept prescription requests over the telephone.
Home Deliveries - Please be aware that home deliveries by community pharmacies is not an NHS funded service and you may be charged.
111 First
The 111 First campaign asks people to call 111 first for non-emergency issues, rather than heading straight to hospital. 111 can assess the situation and book patients in to their local emergency department, urgent treatment centre or refer to the GP. Please click on the links below for further information:
111 First article
Important information for patients
We are open for booked appointments only. Should you need to provide a urine sample, bottles and forms can be picked up from our lobby and returned to the basket at reception before 12:30
pm. Repeat prescription requests can be placed in the box in the lobby.
Please ensure that if you come into the surgery you wear a mask, or scarf. Thank you.
Information for Cancer Patients with specific advice relating to Covid-19:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk
- East of England Cancer Alliance Patient Information
https://www.canceralliance.co.uk/patient-information.aspx
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer
https://www.cancercaremap.org/
- Healthwatch Hertfordshire
https://www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk/
Results of National GP Patient Survey 2019 - click here - Survey Results
WHY US? Reasons to join Vine House
- Long established practice within the heart of the village
- All Partner practice delivering high quality primary care services
- Quick and easy registration process for new patients
- Early morning and weekend appointments available
- Urgent bookable appointments every weekday morning and afternoon
Care Quality Commission
My care Record - privacy notice and opt out form - please see "news"
(Site updated 04/07/2022)