The weight loss injections are not yet available to be prescribed on the NHS in our area. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has released some very useful up-to-date information. Please vist the link below.

https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/stay-well/weight-management/weight-loss-injections/

You can self-refer for a 12 week NHS funded weight loss programme:

https://tbchealthcare.co.uk/

This is a good website for advice:

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

Frequently Asked Questions: Access to appointments

Q: How do I obtain an urgent on the day appointment?
A: Please ring the surgery on 01707 332233 and ask to be placed on the Duty Oncall Triage List. The receptionist will take details of why you need to be seen. A member of the oncall team will then call you and obtain further information and will offer you the most appropriate appointment. 

Q: How do I obtain a routine appointment?
A: Complete an eCONSULT from 8AM in the morning via the website. Once capacity is reached we ask you to try again the next day. We do understand that routine matters can turn urgent, in these cases please ring the surgery to be placed on the duty oncall triage list.  

Q: I have recieved a text or a letter from the surgery to book an appointment?
A: Contact the surgery on 01707 332233 and speak to a member of the reception team. Please highlight on the call the information on the letter or the text you have recieved. 

Q: What is the best way to obtain Administative advice?
A: Complete an Admin eCONSULT via the homepage. This service is open between 08:00AM and 4:00PM Monday to Friday. 

Q: Apart from GP Appointments, what other appointments can I book into?
A: You can contact the surgery and ask for appointments with the following team members:

Practice Nurse
Health Care Assistant 
MSK Physiotherapist
Mental Health Nurse
Social Prescriber
Clinical Pharmacist 

Q: Where else can I get help?
A: Pharmacy First is operating at Pharmacies in Welwyn Garden City. You can also access QE2 Urgent Treatment Centre (8am-10pm): https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/services/urgent-treatment-centre/

We are currently reviewing the overal access to care and we will be updating you with any proposed changes. In the meantime please feel free to give the practice feedback by writing in or completing an NHS choices review/Google Review. 

The Practice wishes to inform you that Dr Parry, our Executive Partner, will be retiring from the practice at the end of March.

Dr Parry has worked for Hall Grove Group Practice for the past 30 years. Patients on Dr Parry’s ‘List’ will be transferred to our newest partner Dr Stella Vasanth who we are sure will provide continuity in similar areas of clinical care.

We would like to thank him for his years of service and wish him well for his future endeavors. 

Hall Grove Group Practice

We are extremely happy to announce that we have a new GP Partner who has started with us at Hall Grove Group Practice. Dr Vasanth started on the 1st September with the practice and works on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. She was previously a GP registrar at Hall Grove Group Practice and since qualifying has been a locum GP working in practices in and around Hertfordshire.

We look forward to welcoming and working along side her to provide high quality care for our patients.


Thank You

Hall Grove Group Practice

Dear Patients,

It is with mixed emotions that I want to let you know that after over 25 years at Hallgrove surgery I will be retiring from my role at the practice at the end of September.

It has been a great privilege to work as a  GP in this practice; thank you for the trust you have placed in me over the years.

My responsibilities will be taken over by the wonderful team of remaining Partners, and my patients care transferred into the trusted hands of Dr Maroo.

I wish you the best of health and happiness.

Warm regards,

Dr Beata MacDougall

Dear Patients,

Re: NHS GP Patient Survey Outcome
www.gp-patient.co.uk/patientexperiences?practicecode=E82062

Thank you to all our patients who took part in the survey. We scored 84% for the overall patient experience describing our GP practice as good. The local GP surgery average was 72% and the national average was 74%. 

We would like to thank all the staff at Hall Grove Group Practice for the hard work they do. 

The management team will now be looking in closer detail of the results to implement a plan to continue improving on the patient experience.

Thank You

Hall Grove Group Practice
25th July 2024

We want to hear from our Patients!

Get involved as a patient of Hall Grove Group Practice

Patients’ Voice needs more members. If you have views on our GP services this is an opportunity for you to get involved in supporting the practice. If you are over 16 and registered as a patient with the Hall Grove Group Practice you can join us.

You can be a member of Patients’ Voice in three ways

• You can attend face to face monthly meetings of Patients’ Voice and meetings with members of the practice.
• You can receive news and information about Patients’ Voice and the practice by email. You don’t have to attend meetings.
• You can contribute to our projects, newsletters etc. via email without attending

Participation in Patients’ Voice offers you a way to give your perspective. It is free, interesting, convenient and rewarding.

Why not give us a try? Come along and meet us close to one of our surgeries on one of the following dates:

June 25^th, 7 - 8pm. New Parish Hall, Hall Grove, Opposite Moorlands,

June 26^th, 7 - 8pm. St Francis Church Hall, Church Road (off Parkway)

Dear Patients,

All patients will now have access to information via the NHS App. Once you have downloaded the NHS App, registered and verified your identity you will be able to request your medications, view your notes, view your blood tests results and also do an eCONSULT for medical and admin related enquiries.

From January 2024 we will be moving towards asking all patients to request their medications using the NHS App. For those who do not have a mobile device, you can log into the following website: www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login for the same functions. 

Thank you.

Hall Grove Group Practice

Dear Patients,

To summarise how to obtain an appointment:

Clinical Appointments/Administrative Queries 

1. For our allied health care professional appointments (Pharmacist, Social Prescriber, Mental Health Nurse, Physiotherapist & Practice Nurse appointments) please either complete a clinical/admin eCONSULT or ring the surgery - so our reception team can offer you an appointment with them.
2. At the beginning of the day, we will release any available Book On The Day appointments. These are used up quickly and we have noticed that these are also being booked into, in advance due to clinical need requested by the GP. 
3. We would like all our patients to utilise the eCONSULT platform for your administrative and clinical needs. We currently work towards actioning a response for Clinical eCONSULTS before the end of the day and Admin eCONSULTS within 5 working days.
4. If you call and we have no available appointments our Reception Team will signpost you to the Hall Grove Surgery Website and advise you to submit an eCONSULT.
5. If you do not have the internet or ability to go online - our Reception Team will complete one for you. To improve our phone line access we hope to encourage point 3.
6. eCONSULT Opening: We are aiming to keep the platform open as long as possible during the day starting from 8am. Unfortunately due to the volume submitted and also the number of staff on the day (impacted due to sickness) we will need to switch it off earlier.

Chronic Condition Review Appointments

1. Please visit eCONSULT and click on the tab re: Conditions Review. We will review the information supplied and get you booked with the most appropraite health care professional to complete your review.
2. Ring the surgery and request a Chronic Condition Review appointment (for example - Diabetes). 

Home Visits

1. For house bound patients who need a visit, please contact the surgery before 10:30am to be added to the visiting team list for them to call and discuss your clinical condition.
2. A visit will be confirmed by the visiting team. This can be done by a doctor from the surgery or a clinician from the Acute Inhouse Visiting Service (AIVS).

Phone Lines: Access

1. Our phone lines continue to be open from 08:30 to 18:30. We have a call back system so there is no need to wait on the line. Once you activate the call back option, please note that if you were to ring back the surgery this call back option is subsquently cancelled.
2. We are activitely encouraging all our patients to use eCONSULT for both clinical and administrative aspects so that the phone lines can be free-ed up for those without internet access. 

Other organisations

1. Enhanced Access: Spring House Medical Centre (Evening and Weekend Appointments) - we have a weekly quota of appointments to be used. If you prefer appointments during these times please add this information onto an eCONSULT or when speaking with the reception team request this.
2. Urgent Care Centre - www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/services/urgent-treatment-centre/ - the UCC QE2 is open from 8am to 10pm. We will divert you to the UCC if that is the most appropriate place to obtain care. Please click on the link for more information.
3. Your local pharmacy can help you with minor alignments.
4. Help can be reached also from NHS 111, either by calling 111 or online.

"For a suspected heart attack, stroke or any other serious or life-threatening illness or injury in an adult or a child, always call 999 immediately."

We will continue to review our access in line of our patients needs. We would like to you review your experiences via NHS Choices or informing out PV (Patients Voice Group) or in writing and handing it into either surgeries.

Thank You

Hall Grove Group Practice 

Dear Veterans,

We are pleased to announce that we a formally an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP Practice.

Please find 2 links below for more information.

• Veteran Patient Charter
• Veteran Top Tips

Interested in being part of the steering group to voice your opinions about your GP Surgery. We are looking for new members to work with the practice to further enhance the services provided and take on feedback from the experiences of our patients.

Thank You. 

Hall Grove Group Practice & The Patients' Voice 

Patients Voice Leaflet

Dear Patients,

We would like to make all our patients aware of the Extended Access (EA)Service Hall Grove Group Practice continues to offer during the following times at Spring House Medical Centre. 

1. Monday to Friday between 18:30 to 20:00

2. Saturday 08:00 to 16:00

3. Sunday 08:00 to 14:00

You can book face to face or telephone appointments with a GP, Nurse or Clinical Pharmacist. 

How to book? Please either complete an eCONSULT and in the comment box please write you would like an EA appointment OR ring the surgery on 01707 332233 and request one over the phone. 

Site: 
Spring House Medical Centre,
Ascots Lane,
Welwyn Garden City,
AL7 4HL.

For more information please visit: www.ephedrahealthcare.co.uk/extended-access-ea

Thank You

Hall Grove Group Practice

UPDATE: 19 JULY 2021

The implementation of GP Data for Planning and Research has been deferred to provide more time to speak with patients' doctors, health charities and others. (Source NHS Digital)

-------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST

Patient data from GP medical records kept by GP practices in England is used respectfully, securely and safely every day to improve health, care and services through planning and research, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care.  Data collected by the NHS is only used for health and care purposes. It is never shared with marketing or insurance companies.

The NHS is planning to introduce an improved way for GP practices to share information about patients- called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.  News of these plans has caused some concern to some of our patients, who have decided that they don’t want their data to be involved.

We have now been informed that no data will be shared in this new way until 1 September this year.  This delay is to enable the national organisation NHS digital to clearly explain their plans to the public and health professionals, as well as to thoroughly investigate any concerns that have been raised.

Any requests received by the practice to ask to be ‘opted out’, will be added to your record.  This will not affect your own care.

To find out more about how and why the NHS securely collects and uses data, please go to:

About GPDPR (General Practice Data for Planning and Research):

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research

How information about you is used:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research/transparency-notice

Options for Opting out:

a) Opting out of NHS Digital COLLECTING your data from your GP medical record (Type 1 Opt out) form click here

The form needs to be returned to the surgery by 25 August 2021 to allow for processing.

All forms received will be recorded on to your medical record.   We are unfortunately unable to confirm the processing on an individual basis.

b) National Data Opt-Out (opting out of NHS Digital SHARING your data) from NHS organisations

You can register a National Data Opt Out via

https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/

If you do not have access to the internet you can also make or change a choice for yourself by phoning the NHS Digital Contact Centre.

The phone number is 0300 303 5678 – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

If you have a symptom that could be cancer, the NHS is here to help you.

These symptoms include:

• Changes in your bowel habit
• Blood in your poo
• Unexplained weight loss
• A lump
• Persistent bloating or stomach ache that goes on for 3 weeks
• Pain that does not go away

Finding cancer early can make it more treatable contact your GP Surgery.

The easiest and quickest way would be to complete an eCONSULT now and we will get back to you by the end of the next working day.

For more information please click on the link:

https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/news/new-qeii-hospital-urgent-care-centre-temporary-opening-hours/?fbclid=IwAR3peQ52R85Gp7AvD-7gAPyAJquwNhofZiyL22Q42L56HSeIEHJ63KfgzV8

The Practice staff shall always show due respect and courtesy when dealing with patients and their representatives. We respectfully request that patients and their representatives do the same when dealing with members of the practice team.

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons.

No form of aggression (whether verbal or physical in nature) will be tolerated - any instances of such behaviour on the practice premises may result in the person being reported to the Police and removed from the practice’s List of Registered Patients.

Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it. Warning letters will be sent out to patients if deemed more appropriate first before subsequent removal from the practice list.

We hope this policy will be respected in full.

Patients’ Voice (PV) is a group of patients and carers who offer the Practice their support, time, and life experience to represent patients’ views to the benefit of the Practice and its patients through delivery of health services. We seek to understand the constraints within the NHS that the Practice faces and work with them to improve delivery of primary care through the surgeries at both Hall Grove and Parkway. Further, PV are interested in helping patients understand their conditions and will produce simple information documents to signpost where people can find help. We are mindful of carers’ needs and we lobby the Practice to support them.

Please go to the Patients’ Voice section from the main page of the Practice website, to see how we can help each other to achieve this. We wish to expand the PV members group to represent the needs of patients of all ages. The larger and more mixed the group the more significant and representative we become of patients’ priorities.

Please sign up and join us. You will receive emails from PV to keep you informed of what we are doing and to seek your feedback, and you will also receive the Practice Newsletters by email. We want you to have your say. Just go to the Patients’ Voice section of the Practice website: https://www.hallgrovesurgery.co.uk/patients-voice-home/

Immunisation helps to protect you from disease

Immunisation helps to protect you from disease

 Immunisation helps to protect you from disease

February 2020

Please Click here for more information.

Click on the link below to be directed to 111 ONLINE

https://111.nhs.uk/?utm_source=nhsuk&utm_campaign=nhs_services&utm_content=nhs_111

The eCONSULT platform will be available for 24 hours a day 5 days a week Monday to Friday. It will close at 18:30 on Friday each week and use will re-open on Sunday at 18:30. After 18:30 on Friday you can contact 111. NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. 

If you have not already supplied the surgery with your permission for us to send you text messages with results or medical information please contact us so that we can update your records. If you would prefer not to receive text messages from the surgery regarding results and other medical information please let us know and we will remove you from our text list.

Please remember to update us with your mobile number when it changes.

We hope this new service continues on improving the communication between our doctors and patients.

Hall Grove Group Practice is proud to be the Champion Practice for online eConsultations in our locality. Our vision is to offer the right appointment at the right time with the right person for all our patients. We are using  eConsult who is a company which provides online consultation tools as well as self help. Buy clicking on the various links on this website you will be taken to their website to complete the eConsultation which then will be sent back to the surgery.

We go live on the 10th September 2019 for an initial 6 months trial. 

"Hall Grove Group Practice privacy notices can be found in the patient information tab. For more information about the eConsult privacy notice please visit https://hallgrovesurgery.webgp.com/staticLegalContent/privacyPolicy ."

Hall Grove Group Practice are proud to announce that we now can offer appointments with a MSK Physiotherapist and Social Prescriber. We welcome these new members into our team.