If you require urgent advice and medical assessment when we are closed, you can access the NHS 111 service by calling 111 or go online
Why are GP Surgeries still working differently?
Healthcare services are not ‘back to normal’ and we are all working extremely hard to help those who need us. Coronavirus still plays a big part in all our lives and we need to take extra precautions to protect all of our patients and staff.
Please see the poster below that explains further how we are currently operating.
COVID-19 Patient Letter
Please find the latest patient letter from the Staff at James Cochrane Practice below regarding the changes we have made in response to the pandemic and also encouraging people to #BeKind.
Visiting your GP Surgery during COVID-19 and Routine Face to Face Appointments
In line with guidance from NHS England and Public Health England:
- We are asking ALL patients visiting our premises to wear a face covering when they are in the building.
- We are still operating a ‘total triage’ service, which means that we will assess every patient request by telephone, or online, before we can offer a face to face appointment. We would like to reassure all of our patients that throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have always offered a choice of appointments, including face to face where there is a clinical need, and we will continue to do so. We are working hard to meet demand for our services, whilst maintaining safe, high quality care for all our patients.
- We have turned off some text message appointment reminders, as this has been causing some confusion for some patients. We will turn these fully back on when the time is right.
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you must follow the governments advice and self isolate. Please do NOT attend the practice or any other healthcare setting.
If you deteriorate then you should contact NHS 111 online coronavirus service for further help. Go to 111.nhs.uk or contact NHS 111 by dialling 111. You will get a faster response using the online option. Check online at GOV.UK and at NHS.UK for advice on your travel and contact history and the latest COVID-19 information before attending the practice.
Please see our Covid-19 page, for more information.
How to access us
Please call, click, or come in!
Call – Telephone 01539 718080 (option 1 for appointments & general enquiries, option 2 for medication queries)
Due to the extremely high demand on GP Practices nationally, our routine appointment wait time is longer than we would like it to be and can be between 4-6 weeks before an appointment is available. We appreciate that it is frustrating when accessing our services takes longer than usual however please try to understand that we are doing our best to help you with the resources that we have.
We do have limited on-the-day appointments which can be booked by calling the surgery on 01539 718080 and pressing option 1. We advise that you call first thing in the morning when our phone lines open at 8am to have the best opportunity to book one of these appointments.
Click – Register for AskMyGP Online
AskMyGP is now open from 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday for routine requests, with the exception of bank holidays and training afternoons.
Come In – Visit either of our two sites:
Helme Chase Surgery (Opening hours 8am – 7.30pm)
Maude Street Surgery (Opening hours 8am – 5pm)
If you do have a pre-arranged face to face appointment, you will be asked to wear a face covering, our waiting rooms adhere to social distancing, and our clinical team will be wearing full PPE when they see you. These measures are in place to keep you and our team safe.
Extended Access Service Appointments
The James Cochrane Practice is now able to offer patients increased access to routine appointments with GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
This service provides all registered patients of the James Cochrane Practice with access to pre-bookable routine appointments from 8:30am–12:30pm on Saturday mornings.
Extended Access appointments can be booked in advance for routine medical matters, subject to availability and the reason for your appointment.
How to book
To book these appointments please contact our reception staff at the surgery by phone or in person requesting an appointment during these times.
Location
Helme Chase Surgery, Burton Road.
Ear Checks Requested by Audiology
If you have been asked by audiology at the hospital to contact us regarding ear checks, please note this is something we cannot do. Please contact your audiology department for alternative options.
Minor Eye Conditions
Did you know that there are opticians in the area that offer a service under the NHS for patients with eye issues. These issues can include:
- Red eyes or eyelids
- Dry eyes or gritty or uncomfortable eyes
- Irritation or inflammation of the eyes
- Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
- Recently occurring flashes or floaters
- In growing eyelashes
- Foreign body in the eye
We ask you contact your optician if you have any of these conditions in the first instance.
Blood Tests requested by a Hospital/Consultant at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust
Hospitals under the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust have worked in collaboration with our local commissioners to provide a new service that is now available to patients who have blood tests initiated by the hospital.
If you are under a consultant at Westmorland General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary or Furness General Hospital, please contact the phlebotomy service on 01539 715700 Monday-Friday between their opening hours of 10am – 2pm to book your blood test.
Chaperones
If you wish to be accompanied by a chaperone for any consultation, examination or procedure please let a receptionist or the doctor or nurse involved know when booking the appointment. If there is no chaperone available, you may be asked to re-schedule your appointment.
Home Visits
Our Doctors and Nurse Practitioners are happy to see patients at home who are too ill or too disabled to attend the surgery. Any requests for home visits should be made by 10.30am. This is only available to patients within our catchment area which can be viewed here under ‘Practice Boundary’
No Longer Need Your Appointment?
If you no longer need your appointment, please let us know at the earliest opportunity. Releasing this appointment back into the system, will mean it is available for someone who really needs it.
Please call us on 01539 718080 to notify us and rebook your appointment if necessary.
