ATTENTION - NEW CLINICAL SYSTEM
Between Thursday 12th June and 20th June 2025, Portrush Medical Health Centre will be changing their clinical system and this will cause disruption in the practice.
During this time, we will remain open but with limited access to patient records and operating a scaled back service, which will involve:
Emergency Appointments only
Emergency Prescriptions only
Emergency Lab Tests only
Delay in Lab Test Results
Delay in New Registrations
We will remain open and answering calls but some days we will be operating as 'urgent care only' for example urgent medical attention/anything same day review. Appointments will be limited.
These changes will affect services such as routine appointments (e.g. non-urgent bloods / diagnostics / urine samples), requests for repeat and non-urgent medicines and enquires for records, medical certificates and sick lines.
If you have repeat prescriptions due around this time, we would request that you order your prescriptions earlier.
We recommend that you use your local community pharmacy 'Pharmacy First' scheme if you have any illness/ailments, which fit into their free service over this time to reduce pressure on the Practice and to ensure you get the care and treatment you require.
Click / Use on this link for further information
https://online.hscni.net/our-work/pharmacy-and-medicines-management/community-pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/
ONLINE PATIENT SERVICES WILL BE CHANGING
The change in the computer clinical system will also affect Online Patient Services.
The last date to order a prescription ONLINE will be at 12 noon on 11th June 2025.
Thereafter this service will cease. This will be temporary and the practice will be in touch after the changeover to email out the linkages codes and how to complete the registration for the new online prescription service.
Prescriptions can still be ordered via the repeat prescription line and posting your request in the red box at reception.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to any of our patients but this decision is beyond our control.
We appreciate your patience at this time.
From 1st July 2025 to reduce the queue and for patient confidentiality, patients will no longer be able to make an appointment at the front desk. To make an appointment please ring 028 708 29558.
Patient Registrations
Patients may have noticed recently their registered GP has changed. This is due to a GP retirement and a new GP Partner. We want to assure you as a patient you are registered to the practice and this does not affect accessing any service the practice provides.
Shingles Vaccination
We are in the process of calling for eligible patients for the shingles vaccine.
Click the link for further information:
Shingles leaflet 0823.pdf (hscni.net)
The COVID-19 spring vaccination programme gets under way on Monday 7 April, giving the more vulnerable members of our community the opportunity to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of COVID-19 over the coming months. We have invited patients who are eligible via a sms text or letter. If you have not received an invite and you think you are eligible please contact the surgery.
For further information on the spring vaccine, see: www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-benefits
While it is important to stay informed, the following are some mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies to continue looking after ourselves and each other during these difficult times.
Make sure your wider health needs are being looked after such as having enough prescription medicines available to you.
https://wellnessseeker.teachable.com/p/your-wellness-toolkit
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/northerntrust/https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
- Try to avoid speculation and look up reputable sources on the outbreak
Rumour and speculation can fuel anxiety. Having access to good quality information about the virus can help you feel more in control.
You can get up-to-date information and advice on the virus here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Follow hygiene advice such as washing your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds with soap and hot water (sing ‘happy birthday’ to yourself twice to make sure you do this for 20 seconds). You should do this whenever you get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. If you can’t wash your hands straightaway, use hand sanitiser and then wash them at the next opportunity.
You should also use tissues if you sneeze and make sure you dispose of them quickly; and stay at home if you are feeling unwell.
At times of stress, we work better in company and with support. Try and keep in touch with your friends and family, by telephone, email or social media, or contact a helpline for emotional support.
You may like to focus on the things you can do if you feel able to:
◾stress management
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_2
https://www.headspace.com/
https://www.calm.com/
◾keep active
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise
◾eat a balanced diet
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/diet-and-mental-health
Stay in touch with friends on social media but try not to sensationalise things. If you are sharing content, use this from trusted sources, and remember that your friends might be worried too.
Also remember to regularly assess your social media activity. Tune in with yourself and ask if they need to be adjusted. Are there particular accounts or people that are increasing your worry or anxiety? Consider muting or unfollowing accounts or hashtags that cause you to feel anxious.
Involving our family and children in our plans for good health is essential. We need be alert to and ask children what they have heard about the outbreak and support them, without causing them alarm. We need to minimise the negative impact it has on our children and explain the facts to them. Discuss the news with them but try and avoid over-exposure to coverage of the virus. Be as truthful as possible.
Let’s not avoid the ‘scary topic’ but engage in a way that is appropriate for them. We have more advice on talking with your children about world news.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news
https://www.mindheart.co/descargables
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2
- Try to anticipate distress
It is OK to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed as we read news about the outbreak, especially if you have experienced trauma or a mental health problem in the past, or if you have a long-term physical health condition that makes you more vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus.
It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind each other to look after our physical and mental health. We should also be aware of and avoid increasing habits that may not be helpful in the long term, like smoking and drinking.
Try and reassure people you know who may be worried and check in with people who you know are living alone.
- Try not to make assumptions
Don’t judge people and avoid jumping to conclusions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. The Coronavirus can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sex.
- Try to manage how you follow the outbreak in the media
There is extensive news coverage about the outbreak. If you find that the news is causing you huge stress, it’s important to find a balance.It’s best that you don’t avoid all news and that you keep informing and educating yourself, but limit your news intake if it is bothering you.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUPPORT
Age Concern Causeway
Care in action - 02870357966
Reach Service Portrush
https://www.facebook.com/reachportrush
Call 07929369228 to avail of the service
Causeway Coast and Glens Community Support