Welcome to Puddletown Surgery

Updated 20th July 2021

COVID-19 is still with us, and the safety of NHS patients, visitors and staff is our top priority.

In line with Government guidance, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt, and follow social distancing rules.

Our teams will continue to take other infection prevention and control measures to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other infections in health and care settings.

It is important for the public to continue to play their part when visiting NHS and care settings to help protect our staff and patients, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to infections.

New appointment system

At Puddletown Surgery, our ethos has always been focused on patient centered care and excellent access to the right person at the right time.  Then the pandemic came along, and although we have seen people face-to-face throughout. We have also done much more remotely, by telephone, email and video consultations.

On top of that we have just changed our clinical computer system. This will mean that all GP surgeries in Dorset are on the same clinical system, which can also be accessed by the Emergency Department at the hospital, the out of hours service and other community services hopefully leading to improved care for you.

As lockdown restrictions are easing, we are changing our appointment system again!

Sadly, we are not able to restart open morning surgeries as yet, but we will keep this under regular review. You will now be able to pre-book either telephone or face-to-face appointments by calling the surgery. We will have a mixture of these appointments available to deal with urgent on the day problems and routine appointments. It may be necessary for the reception team to ask you a few questions to ensure we book you the correct appointment type. We have also increased the number of doctor sessions available, to try and continue to provide good access for you.

Please bear with us as I’m sure we won’t get the balance of appointments right the first time and we may have to change things to try and ensure all patients get the right access at the right time, with the right person. We do hope to return to open surgeries again in the future.

Thank you so much for your help understanding and support.

Covid Vaccination Appointment Information ~ 20th July 2021

Please note that Dorset Council have made the decision today that parking in the Market Car Park will no longer be free of charge for the clinics.

Patients attending the clinic will now need to buy a ticket should they park in the car park. Volunteers will not be responsible for making sure patients have bought a parking ticket

The Covid vaccination clinics are continuing at The Atrium Health Centre in Dorchester this week for patients having their  second Covid vaccination appointments. There will be no more first vaccinations from the 19th July 2021, if you have not already booked your first vaccination by this date please phone 119 or use the NHS website link below. After that we will only be offering second vaccines for patients who had their first vaccine at The Atrium Health Centre.

We have now invited all our patients over 18yrs for their first vaccination. Please can we remind patients to keep your contact details up to date, listen to messages left on answerphones, return calls to the practice promptly and to let us know if you have already booked your vaccine elsewhere – it really helps us by saving time and ensures your records are kept up to date. Thank you.

Please click on this link to book at one of the mass vaccination centres: https://www.nhs.uk/…/coro…/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

A frequently asked question guide is available here. 

Important messages to patients

• Unless you hold a current exemption, please always wear a face covering when on the surgery grounds
• Due to the current circumstances, please allow three full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Please do not visit the GP practice without an appointment or by prior agreement– unless you are visiting the dispensary

 Instead please telephone the Practice or use the eConsult link below

You can speak to a GP or nurse over the phone or have a video consultation if appropriate

If a doctor or nurse does need to see you in person then you will be given an appointment to attend the Practice.

The Doctor's phone-in times are as follows:

• Monday to Friday 8.30 to 9.00am and 3.30 to 4.00pm
• Saturday 8.30 to 9.00am

Please come on time to your booked appointment and come alone if possible

Please do not come into the surgery if you think you may have Coronavirus, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

How to avoid spreading infection

Please follow the guidance when you enter the surgery building.

It's very important to do what you can to reduce the risk of you and other people getting ill with coronavirus.

You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms.

Do

• try to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble)
• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a face covering-To help limit the spread of infection we are asking for all patients aged 12 and over to wear a face covering when they come into the Practice.
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Don’t

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

If you have

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough
• loss of taste or sense of smell

You and other household members must self-isolate at home for 14 days.

• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
• Read the advice about staying at home.
• Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
• How to get a Coronavirus test

In addition to the village of Puddletown, the Practice welcomes patients from the surrounding area including: Tolpuddle, Tincleton, Affpuddle, Briantspuddle, West Stafford, Bockhampton, Stinsford, Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Alton Pancras, Plush, Dewlish, Cheselbourne, Melcombe Bingham, Ansty and Milborne St Andrew.

You can find us by clicking here.

Upload a copy of our Practice Leaflet here.

Friends and Family Test

Accidents and Injuries

If you are unlucky enough to have an accident of any sort it's always a good idea to phone us here at Surgery. The Doctors and Nurses are happy to assess injuries and give advice. We can treat most minor trauma injuries saving you a trip to Accident & Emergency and perhaps a long wait.

We are also happy to assess and see if you need an x-ray if you think you may have broken something.
During our opening hours, there is always a Doctor available. Speak to our Receptionists, and they will be pleased to help.

What to do in an EMERGENCY

During Surgery opening hours: Ring the Surgery on 01305 848333 

Out of hours: Always ring 111. This is the new NHS number for all urgent calls. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

The links on this website all come from trusted sources but if you are unsure about any medical matters please contact your doctor for advice.