Welcome to Carn to Coast Health Centres

Across the NHS we find ourselves faced with unprecedented levels of demand which continue still to increase. As a GP surgery, there are only so many calls we can receive and only so many staff we can physically accommodate to take these calls.  Within those limits we endeavour to answer calls as quickly as possible. You may find that, if the waiting period is very extended, you will be asked to call back rather than hold. If you do find yourself in a long queue, we do appreciate that this can be frustrating but, while you have been waiting for an answer, our care navigators have been busy doing their best to help those who have queued in front of you and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SERVICES – MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

We need the help of patients to prevent our being ‘closed down’ by Covid.

As patients will be aware, the rules face masks / coverings in public places are now being relaxed to the point that, in most places, this is a matter of choice.

Our GPs are deeply concerned about the impact this could have on our ability to provide patients with a service. Increasingly staff working within the health service are having to self-isolate and are therefore unable to attend our premises. An outbreak at any of our surgery sites could lead to one or more of Pool Health Centre, Homecroft, Trevithick or St Day having to close for a number of days.

Therefore, while patients may insist that they have a right to visit our premises without a face covering, we ask them not to exercise that right unless they absolutely have to do so, and to continue to socially distance from staff and patients. Our own staff will continue to wear masks but this is primarily provides for your protection, not their own. We would ask you to afford them the same courtesy. You will also be protecting more vulnerable patients who may be attending for appointments, including elderly people, cancer sufferers and those who have existing breathing problems. Please do not add to the risks they face.

In terms of attending for treatment, it remains our policy that any patient not wearing a face covering for a consultation or procedure will be seen at a site where additional protective equipment is worn by the doctors and other health professionals, so please bear this in mind if asked to attend and let us know your choice in advance.

We are pleased that government have now also realised the necessity for patients to continue to wear masks in healthcare settings and issued their guidance below which completely backs our practice approach: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/07/nhs-patients-staff-and-visitors-must-continue-to-wear-face-coverings-in-healthcare-settings/

About us 

Our practice has four surgery sites formed out of the October 2015 merger between Pool Health Centre and Homecroft Surgery (inclusive of their branch surgery at St Day) and a merger with Trevithick Surgery, Camborne in April 2018.  To view our practice's "Statement of Purpose" please click here:- Statement of Purpose

        ***Please see our latest newsletter containing important patient information*** 

                                       Please click on the "News" tab above

In recent days the level of demand for patient services has been extraordinarily high. We apologise for any delays in responding to telephone calls, processing prescriptions etc. and assure you that we are doing all we can to prioritise and work through the backlog, while continuing with the additional work of delivering second dose Covid vaccinations to our most vulnerable patients.

We would remind patients with access to computers or smart phones that they can avoid telephone congestion and save time by using the ‘E-Consult’ option on our website (see below). Details will reach our clinicians just as quickly in that way and will be prioritised in the same fashion.

In seeking to ensure that we use our resources most effectively for patient care we instruct our highly-trained staff to ask patients for the same information as would be given on the E-Consult form so that it is there for the clinician to consider before contacting you. Without this the backlog in responding would be considerably greater.

We thank you for your understanding.

eConsult 

Patients may consult online with our own GPs, and will receive an acknowledgement by no later than the end of the next working day with details of what to expect next. 

 
How it works:
1. Click "Get started" below - the link will be active during normal surgery opening hours
2. Select self-help or consultation options
We will respond to all medical eConsults by the end of the next working day - you should not use eConsult for urgent matters. Admin eConsults take a little longer and will be responded to within 3 working days.

If you wish to upload images to your online consultation please use "I want general advice option"

Advice from your GP online without having to wait for an appointment

Please note- Due to an overwhelming increase in econsults received throughout the weekend, the econsult service will now only be available throughout the week from Monday 00:01 to Friday 18:30 to ensure a safe response time can be met.

Covid Vaccination Programme
Please click this link to book your COVID19 Vaccine - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Covid 19 - Practice Operating Procedure, and Advice for Patients

In view of the need to protect patients and staff while continuing to provide healthcare to our patients, we continue to triage all appointments. This means that all patients requesting an appointment will first have a discussion about how their condition can best be managed.  We would encourage you to use our E-Consult facility (see below) where you can fully explain your symptoms or request, to give our team more details before speaking to them. https://carntocoast.webgp.com/  

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND ANY SITE IN PERSON UNLESS YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT

Patients attending for appointments will be required to wear a face covering to protect themselves, our staff and other patients. 

If you are unable or unwilling to wear a face covering please advise our staff and special arrangements will be made for you; please refer to our Policy re Face Coverings

The Gov.uk website has a guide on how to wear and make a face covering. This can be a scarf or a homemade face mask, but should cover your mouth and nose.  Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them at 60°. 

If you have any concerns that you may have the coronavirus COVID-19 please do not come to the surgery premises. Please isolate yourself at home and visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information. If you ring us, our receptionists will advise you to visit the NHS 111 Website as per Government policy.

For further information please check the following for up to date government advice, including social distancing, self-isolation, travel etc.:

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response