Latest News

Please note that we are closed from 1pm Thursday 20^th April 2023 for Staff Training. We can pre-book a Halton GP Extra appointment or alternatively you can call Out of Hours on 111 for medical assistance. We will be back open at 8am on Friday 21^st April 2023.

WE Connect is a free service in Halton. If you’re looking for practical, social or emotional help call 01928 589 799 or book via: https://tinyurl.com/2c5teaj8

Sedative Prescribing for Fear of Flying Update Dec 2022

PATCHs

Please note we have recently switched our online consultation provider from eConsultation to the new PATCHs online portal. Here is a short video introducing PATCHs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvqtjUWhDRw

You don't have to register for an account with them, but this will make things easier and improve the way we communicate with you the link for this is found on our home main page.

If you would like any further help or advice, please contact our Reception team on 01928 718182

Thanks again for you co-operation

Please check out the NHS ‘Our health and care apps library’

Our health apps can make a difference to your health and wellbeing see below for further details

Please note from Monday 10^th October patients will no longer be able to self-refer to the Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Triage Service (MSKCATS). Patients will need to speak to the GP or submit an online consultation, the practice will then triage patients and send the referral over to the MSKCATS team who will then triage the patient and book into for an assessment and the patient will be informed by the MSKCATS team.

MSKCATS is available for patients aged 16 and over with any muscle or joint problem who have a Widnes or Runcorn GP.

Online Services

Patient online access can be used to book appointments or request medication. Please do not use online access for medical advice. Please contact the surgery or use e-consultation for medical advice.

Bereavement Support

Listening Ear is a free bereavement support for all residents of Halton

For more information for click on

https://listening-ear.co.uk/

Don't ignore your cervical screening invite contact Reception on 01928 718182 to book today

Did you know… NHS services continue to have a range of measures in place to keep you safe from COVID-19 including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing. Please ensure you wear a face covering to your appointment.

The local NHS is currently dealing with high numbers of people who have caught the Covid virus, as well as other urgent cases. 

This means it’s taking our GP practices longer than we would like to respond to calls and we are having to ask people who have less urgent health needs to wait a bit longer for an appointment.  We are continuing to prioritise urgent cases.

If your condition is not as urgent, we would ask that you look at the other options available for accessing NHS services e.g.

• Following self-care advice where you can from nhs.uk
• Using your local pharmacy for expert help and advice for every-day conditions
• Using our online services where you can request repeat prescriptions via the NHS app or your practice patient online service [add link]
• Seeking support and advice from NHS 111 online to direct you to the best service for your needs if you’re not sure what to do.

#HelpUsHelpYouNW

Please note for the purposes of public safety and crime prevention we have installed CCTV in the health centre

Thanks

 Phlebotomy Clinics St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals

From Monday the 29^th November 2021, patients aged 16 and over attending adult phlebotomy clinics run by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trusts, including the HCRC in Widnes, will now need to book an appointment in advance.

Those in need of blood tests can book an appointment at their chosen phlebotomy clinic, including the Urgent Treatment Centre in St Helens and the HCRC in Widnes, online at www.sthk.nhs.uk <http://www.sthk.nhs.uk> available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or via telephone on 0808 196 4500 between 12pm and 3pm, Monday to Friday.

We are on Twitter!

Please follow our page @BrookvalePract

Urgent mental health support

Mersey Care has a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line for children, young people and adults.

If you need urgent mental health support, you can call the 24/7 freephone crisis line on: 0800 051 1508

Further information about this service is available here:

Help in a crisis (merseycare.nhs.uk)

Covid Pass Fraud

Fit for life

 Sexual Health Matters

Free, Confidential and Convenient Testing

Phone lines are open: 0300 323 1300

Monday 9am – 1pm

Tuesday 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 9am – 3pm

Thursday 9am – 1pm

Friday 9am – 1pm

Axess Clinic

Volunteer Week

General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDfPR) - data collection

NHS Digital has recently announced it is setting up a new primary care data collection service. The new data collection process is to begin from the  1^st  September 2021

What is the GPDfPR?

The General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection will help the NHS to improve health and care services for everyone.  

For example patient data can help the NHS to:

• monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of care
• plan how to deliver better health and care services
• prevent the spread of infectious diseases
• identify new treatments and medicines through health researchWho will collect the data from your Practice? The following data may be collected from GP medical records:
• What data will be collected?
• NHS Digital only.
•  

• any living patient registered at a GP practice in England when the collection started - this includes children and adults
• any patient who died after 1 July 2021, and was previously registered at a GP practice in England when the data collection started

NHS Digital will not collect patients’ names or addresses. Any other data that could directly identify patients (such as NHS Number, date of birth, full postcode) will be replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital. Known as pseudonymisation.

Who will receive this pseudonymised data?

NHS Digital will share pseudonymised data with any relevant organisation so that they can use the data to improve health and care services going forward.

Although please note NHS Digital will be able to use software to convert the unique codes back to data that could directly identify patients in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason.

Will NHS Digital share patient data?

Yes. Although the data NHS Digital will receive from you will be pseudonymised they will have the means to be able to convert this code back into identifiable data. This will only happen where there is a valid legal reason to do so and where they meet strict criteria to use the information for local, regional and national planning, policy development, commissioning, public health and research purposes.

This personal / patient data may then be shared with relevant organisations who can help with that patient’s care.

Can patients opt out?

Yes. Although the data going across to NHS Digital will be pseudonymised there may be a chance that a patient needs to be re-identified as explained above. A patient may not want this and may want to opt out of this data collection completely. Patients can opt out of their data being used for research and planning purposes.

NHS Digital will be collecting data from patients medical records to assist in care planning and research from 1st July. More information can be found at the link at the bottom of this message. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research#opting-out

 Information for Patients on Sharing Personal Data

 Information about the NHS app

The NHS app is owned & run by the NHS and is simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

Available on iOS and Android you must be aged 13 and over and registered with a GP surgery in England.

You can also access on NHS App services from the browser on your desktop or laptop computer.

For more information on how to use the NHS app which you are able to view & share your COVID-19 status please click on the link below….

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/about-the-nhs-app/

Macmillan Cancer Support

If you need any support, help or advice Macmillan are available see posters for further details.

My mhealth App

Introducing the new my mhealth app which is available to download and will help you manage any health conditions such as COPD, asthma, diabetes or heart conditions.

Please contact reception on 01928 718182 or email the team on hcg.brookvalemc@nhs.net

COVID-19 Vaccination: British Sign Language resources

Please see useful information for patients who use British Sign Language (BSL)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-british-sign-language-resources?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=caae75cb-7f5a-4f0c-90ac-5c92ed57f61e&utm_content=daily

Reminder to all patients who are attending Hallwood Health Centre

Following the installation of the car park cameras on 27/10/2020, please ensure you enter your car registration in to the tablets located around the health centre. If you need assistant please ask a member of staff.

You only need to put your car registration in to the system if you are longer than 15 minutes. Failure to do this will result in you receiving a parking charge of £100. The cameras are operated by a private company and the health Centre does not have any financial interest.

There are multiple signs in the car park and the Health Centre displaying we have car park camera installed and posted on our social media accounts.

Thank you for your co-operation

Hallwood Health Centre

Car park cameras were installed in health centre car park yesterday (27/10/2020) and are now live; please ensure if you enter your car registration in to the tablets provided which are located around the health centre. If you need any assistant please ask a member of staff.

Some patients have expressed concerns we want to ensure patients that the cars parking in the car park are for patients, staff using the health centre. The cameras are operated by a private company and the health centre does not have any financial interest.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Patient on-line Services

As Halton has been put in Tier 3 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the surgery would like patients to register to use on-line services to order their medication. It is simple to register & use but we need your consent to sign you up to use patient on-line services.

Please click the helpful youtube video on how to register using on-line services.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3augOxEArCA

1. The surgery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm.  If you have an urgent problem during these times please ring the surgery.  At all other times ring NHS 111. 

2. Due to COVID we are operating what is known as total triage, this is a virtual appointment.  Your GP or nurse will review your problem and will then, depending on your needs

offer you advice via text

offer you a telephone call

offer you a video call

ask to see you in person (face to face) or

navigate you to other services

3. If you need to order a repeat prescription please register for online access or drop into the prescription  box

4. Please only attend the surgery if we ask you to.  It’s important that you arrive at the time we ask you to attend and don’t forget to wear a face covering or mask.

5. In line with social distancing rules the surgery must limit the number of patients in the waiting room. 

 AccuRx Support

https://support.accurx.com/en/articles/3789312-my-doctor-or-nurse-has-sent-me-a-video-link - Video consultations 

https://support.accurx.com/en/articles/3925716-my-gp-has-asked-me-to-respond-to-a-text-send-them-a-photo - replying to a text with a photo