26TH MARCH 2025: WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR TELEPHONE SYSTEM.  WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE. WHERE POSSIBLE, PLEASE COME INTO THE SURGERY WITH ANY QUERIES/TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS, ETC

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW. In February 2025 there were 19 GP appointments and 79 treatment room/clinic appointments which were not kept by patients. The missed appointments with our nurses amounted to 15 hours and 10 minutes!

SHINGLES VACCINES: This is not a seasonal vaccination programme, so we will contact eligible patients when we are in a position to offer this vaccine.

When requesting prescriptions, please remember that the surgery is closed weekends and Bank/Public holidays, therefore requests for repeat prescriptions will not be actioned until we re-open. You should allow at least 2 working days for processing of weekend requests, and up to 3 working days for requests made when the surgery is closed for longer than the weekend.

We have a Physiotherapist, Mental Health Practitioner and a Social Worker based in the practice who may be a first point of contact for patients.

The Department of Health has developed a “My Waiting Times NI” webpage. This is an information webpage hosted on the HSC website: https://online.hscni.net/my-waiting-times-ni/

Patients in Northern Ireland can access the current average waiting times for outpatient assessments for elective care services within each Trust. The webpage will be updated every month to ensure that users have access to timely, standardised waiting time information. FAQs have also been developed and linked on the webpage to improve the users’ experience and understanding of the information provided. 

We have recently implemented some changes in the way the practice operates.  Between 9am and 2pm daily (with the exception of Wednesday which will be 9am - 11.30am),we will deal with requests for routine appointments and patient enquiries. After this time we will only be accepting emergency calls, calls from other Healthcare Professionals, and providing test results.

Did you know if you are registered for online services,  you can request repeat prescriptions AND book GP appointments through our website?  Contact reception for further details.

We have introduced a text messaging service to contact patients, message will state "from your GP surgery".  If you do NOT want us to contact you by this method, please contact reception.

For everyday health conditions such as: Acne, Athlete's Foot, Diarrhoea, Haemorrhoids, Headlice, Groin Infection, Threadworms, Vaginal Thrush, Earwax, Mouth Ulcers, Oral Thrush, Scabies and Verrucae you can obtain advice and FREE treatment from your local pharmacy under the "Pharmacy First" scheme.  You do not need to contact the surgery.

For young people aged 11-19 a new Text-a-Nurse service has been launched. This is a secure, confidential and anonymous service which 11-19 years olds can contact for advice on: emotional health and wellbeing, stress and anxiety, self-harm, alcohol and drugs, body image, smoking, bullying, sexual health, Covid-19 related worry and general health issues. Service is available Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm during both term time and school holidays. Contact number for Northern Trust area is: 07480 635 982

For information on Corona Virus, visit www.pha.site/coronavirus

Public Health Agency, 12–22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. www.publichealth.hscni.net

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW

Thank you for your participation in our recent survey.  We are delighted to announce that 98% of patients surveyed are extremely likely or likely to recommend us.  We will endeavour to action any suggestions where possible.  Sincere thanks for all the kind comments.