Welcome to Puddletown Surgery
Updated 3rd June 2021
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 Vaccine
We are sending out first dose invitations as quickly as our vaccine allocation allows us to. Please do not contact the surgery asking when you will get an invitation as the receptionists will not be able to tell you. Every patient will be invited individually when we have a dose available for them.
Second dose clinics will be held at the Atrium Health Centre in exactly the same way the first doses were carried out. We ask you to arrive at the doors no earlier than your chosen time slot, you may arrive at any point during the 10-minute window you select. Early arrivals cause queues and may delay people who were booked for a time earlier than yours.
Second dose invitations are being sent out approximately 10 weeks after the first dose was administered which will allow you to book an appointment approximately 12 weeks after your first dose. Invitations for second doses will be sent out via text message, or the surgery will phone you if you do not have a mobile number recorded.
Text messages will be sent by “CerneGP” or “Mid-Dorset Primary Care Network”. You should follow the link, enter your date of birth, and then choose and confirm your preferred time slot.
Patients who have not responded in good time to their text message will receive a phone call from the surgery to assist in booking. Whilst some invites may appear to come from Cerne Abbas Surgery, please contact us rather than them if you need assistance booking.
We ask you to avoid calling the surgery about COVID vaccinations to ensure our phone lines are left clear for those who need to book GP or Nurse appointments. We have a very robust system in place to ensure all patients are invited and have the opportunity to have the vaccine, so we will contact you. Thank you for your patience!
This video from Dorset CCG shows how quickly and efficiently so many people have been vaccinated: https://youtu.be/QUc5rUIsAJg
A frequently asked question guide is available here.
Large Vaccination Centre and appointments
A network of mass vaccination centres across the country have been set up to offer the vaccine to large numbers of people.
The large vaccination centre at the Bournemouth International Centre is one of several places people can get their vaccine – if you receive an invitation to book an appointment for one of these centres and are able to travel please do go. The large vaccination centres offer an important additional option for people who are eligible.
If you can’t travel or you would rather wait for an appointment closer to home, you can choose to do that, and we will be in touch soon to offer an alternative.
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.
Coronavirus
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.
(Site updated 03/06/2021)