Minehead Medical Centre

What is happening with Minehead Medical Centre?

 Following the news that Minehead Medical Centre had to temporarily close for appointments on Tuesday 23 January we are aware that there have been concerns about the future of the practice and what this will mean for the patients and local community.

NHS Somerset can confirm that from Wednesday 24 January One Medical Group will be providing services at Minehead Medical Centre. The practice will continue to be called Minehead Medical Centre.

One Medical Group have over 16 years of experience in providing primary care services. They are patient focused and are experienced in providing sustainable health and wellbeing services.

 

What do I need to do as a patient?

Patients don’t need to do anything and from Wednesday 24 January will continue to access services at the practice in the normal way.

  

Do I still call the same number for the practice?

The number you call will not change. For those patients with a pre-booked appointment, you will not need to do anything. Please do not contact the practice at the moment or cancel an appointment you have coming up.

More detailed information will be shared directly with patients.

When you contact us, a member of the patient services team may ask you to identify your query in order to support you to identify the best placed healthcare professional or service you will need to see or speak to, to help you. This is to help patients to get the right service for their specific needs and to also assist the practice manage limited staff time as effectively as possible.

 

Practice staff

As well as existing, familiar practice staff you may also notice some new faces around the practice. These new faces are working in conjunction with existing staff.

 

What happens if I need to order a prescription?

You will be able to order your prescriptions through the practice as normal, there is no need to do anything differently and all of your information about regular repeat prescriptions will be contained within your medical records.

 

I order my prescription through Patient Access or via the NHS app. What do I do?

 Patients who previously had access to an online platform such as the NHS App or Patient Access will not need to do anything differently now. A letter to patients will be sent in the coming days and if there are any changes to what patients need to do, these will be clearly outlined in this document and updated on the website.

Rest assured that you can continue to request medication and make appointments by contacting the medical centre as normal.

 

 What happens with my District Nurse visits?

If you are currently receiving visits from the District Nurse, this will continue. One Medical Group will work closely with this team to ensure your ongoing care needs are met and remain in place.

 

How do you manage patients with a long-term condition?

If you have a long-term condition which requires an annual review, you will be contacted to arrange an appropriate appointment based on your condition.

 

I have been referred to hospital. Will I need to be referred again by my new practice?

No. The hospital will communicate with you directly about your appointment. There is no need to do anything differently.

 

I have questions about my individual care, who can I contact?

 You should continue to contact Minehead Medical Centre as normal.

 

Will I still be able to access home visits if needed?

Yes, home visits will continue to be undertaken – dependant on your need.

 

Is the arrangement with One Medical an interim arrangement?

One Medical is providing interim management support at Minehead Medical Centre initially for three months, with the option to extend for up to 12 months. During this period NHS Somerset will be looking at a permanent solution.

 

Is the Minehead Medical Centre going to be run by only locums going forward or are there going to be some permanent GPs?

One Medical’s role is largely to support the surgery’s existing doctors, nurses and other staff. And to help make improvements to the practice which the CQC and NHS Somerset want to see.

 

I have some questions about the change in provider – who can I speak to?

If you have any queries regarding the transfer of your healthcare to One Medical Group as the new provider, please do not contact the practice directly.

Instead, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please contact the NHS Somerset patient helpline on 0300 303 6409 or email: somicb.mineheadhelpline@nhs.net

The line is open between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or you can leave a voicemail message with your contact details, and someone will respond.

 

If you would like to make a complaint, please contact:

NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board,

Freepost RRKL-XKSC-ACSG,

Yeovil, Somerset,

BA22 8HR

Telephone: 08000 851067

Email: somicb.pals@nhs.net