Welcome to Queens Medical Centre

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format.  You can find a copy of our practice leaflet here: Queens Medical Centre Practice Leaflet .

You can use the website to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions. You will need a log on for this. Please contact reception for more details.

Further information about our Surgery is here.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING YOUR OPT-OUT IS SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021

You may have heard in the news recently that from July, GP practices will be required to allow NHS digital access to patient data on a daily basis. This project is called ‘General Practice Data for Planning and Research’ (GPDPR). 

Patient’s names and addresses will not be sent and any other identifiable data (e.g. date of birth) will be replaced with codes so that it cannot be traced back to individuals. The data will be used for a variety of research and analysis projects, including: 

- Researching the long term impact of COVID-19

- Analysing healthcare inequalities.

- Research and develop cures for serious illnesses

NHS digital will protect your data and will not sell it on to marketing or insurance companies. 

We know how important your data is to you and understand that you may not want your data to be used in this way.

You can stop your data being sent to NHS digital by completing this form (the Type 1 Opt Out form) and returning it to your GP practice before the 1st September 2021.  This stops patient information leaving the GP practice for any reason other than direct patient care.

You can also stop your confidential patient information (collected from any health organisation) being sent from NHS digital to another organisation for any reason other than your own care and treatment (for auditing, resource planning etc.). This is the National Data Opt Out. To do this - patients need to go to  https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/ and opt out. This is something we cannot do for you in the surgery.

Further information about the project can be found here: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research’       

For a video explaineing the datails click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLi9gh7RyLA

Type One Opt-out Form

GP ACCESS

COVID-19 has changed the way we as a Practice provide services to you, and although we have remained seeing patients face to face on a medical need basis throughout the pandemic, the NHS has required us to provide more digital access.  We already provide eConsult and on-line access through the NHS App and SystmOne Online for the facility to make appointments, order repeat medication and view records.  We have embraced the technology of using SMS (text) services and email to communicate with patients and our GPs, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses are able to consult with you via video technology.

Our workload has increased hugely since this time last year and we are currently seeing an increase of approximately 19% in our workload. In order to try and meet this demand whilst we advertise for GPs and Nurse Practitioner we are utilising the services of Push Doctor. This is an innovative offering of an NHS Dr consulting with patients via video using Smartphone or Computer. Push Doctor are a renowned partner to the NHS providing services to over 5.7million NHS patients across the UK, and if you wish to know more about who they are and how they work please click on the link below.

If you agree to a GP contacting you this way we will send you a link to your mobile number from which you can log in to choose an appointment that suits you from 8am to 8pm, or you can access through their website.  And it's as easy as that!  Push Doctor, with your consent, have access to your records ensuring that they can see your health history and the treatment you are currently receiving.  They are also able to raise prescriptions, make referrals and provide sick notes.

https://www.pushdoctor.co.uk/surgery/queens-medical-centre

Covid vaccinations

You may have seen from local media that we have started the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme and along with 14 other GP practices we are holding clinics in the Barnstaple Leisure Centre. We are reliant on the national delivery of vaccines and we then arrange our clinics around those dates.  We have started with priority group 1 which is care home residents and staff and the over 80 year olds.

Please do not contact the practice about these vaccinations as we will contact patients directly and we will share all the information including about other priority groups as it develops on our website and social media to keep you as informed as possible.

You will have heard about larger mass vaccination sites being set up across the country and it may be that at some stage you will receive a letter from national booking team inviting you to have your vaccine - when you get this letter you can choose to either go to a mass vaccination site or to have it done more locally.  We are concerned that it may cause some confusion as these letters will not come from the practice but from a central team and we have no influence over this.

We are delighted that there is a vaccination and we will be playing our part in the NHS wide roll out over the coming months as it will take some time vaccinate everyone - we thank you for your patience and understanding. 

A vaccination programme of this size and scale will take some time to complete and we are freeing up staff to help at the Barnstaple Leisure Centre which may mean that you experience a longer wait than normal when calling in.  We would ask that wherever possible you access e-Consult to assist our staff who are working extremely hard to continue provide services and care to you.

Advice on patients wearing face coverings in practices

The surgery has a legal responsibility to protect staff and patients from risks associated with COVID-19.  We have conducted our own risk assessment to determine necessary controls, and we ask that patients please apply a face covering before entering the surgery, when possible.  

Wearing a face covering is an added precaution that may have some benefit in reducing the likelihood that a person with the infection passes it on. Evidence shows a face covering can help in reducing the spread of droplets; it stops them from leaving the mouth and nose area and reduces the size of area in which they spread.

A medical grade clinical mask is not necessary. These need to be prioritised to clinical staff working in high risk areas. Instead, for patients who are visiting healthcare sites, a face covering is sufficient and there is guidance for people to make these at home with items they may already own.

Contaminated droplets can also be picked up from surfaces by touch and subsequently from touching the face. It is important people refrain from touching their face covering when wearing it, where possible, to avoid hand to mask transmission of the virus. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing. Regular hand washing remains an important action.

Quick eConsult links: 

For more information about eConsult, view this video:

For information on booking appointments online, download this leaflet and application form to complete and bring to Reception with the relevant i.d.:

• Patient Online Access

Comments from Patients

"Last Thursday I was told by Sister Clare that I am type 2 diabetic. I was a little 'taken aback' at this and very shocked and tearful.
I am writing to say that she was, at once comforting and explained what would happen next and what I had to change in my life style.
Sister Clare was so understanding, (had tissues at the ready) was not in the least bit critical of my of how I came to be in this position. I am so grateful for her kindness, understanding and good advice.
Thank you Sister Clare.....I'm 'on it', see you next month."

"Thank you for your help today, 30/3/16, especially the very helpful receptionist and GP who called me (sorry, can't remember the name). I'm very grateful for the assistance you gave me when I was away from home and unable to see my own GP."

“Thank you all for looking after me so well!”

“Thank you for your friendly, kind and encouraging approach – it was worth moving back to Barnstaple to have such good care and services again!!”

“I am eternally grateful for your support a few years ago, given professionally and with such warmth and care."

"I have been coming in since August for an ongoing problem and the treatment I have received At Queens Medical Centre has been excellent! The receptionists do a thankless job and I think they are all wonderful, not a lot of people appreciate what they do."