Welcome to The Shrubberies Medical Centre

The Shrubberies Medical Centre is an NHS GP practice in South Woodford located at Lily House opposite the Slug and Lettuce Restaurant on George Lane. 

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.

IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE

The NHS in London is very busy due to rising coronavirus infection rates, but we’ll help you get urgent care when you need it. 

Most consultations are over the phone and via video. This is for everyone's safety. We will assess your situation and invite you into the practice if needed. We can arrange same-day appointments if you need urgent care but please don't visit without an appointment. Appointments will be held in the best way to keep you safe from Covid.  

You can also contact 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice - including if you have concerns about your Covid-19 symptoms.

Please remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies. 

Please help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe by following the latest rules.  

Please do not contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. The NHS is prioritising vaccinating people who experts have agreed will benefit the most. We will let you know when it is your turn. Please see here for advice.

COVID VACCINATION PROGRAMME

The covid vaccination programme is continuing in Redbridge. Patients who are eligible to have the vaccine will be contacted as soon as possible. Pfizer vaccinations, first and second, are taking place at The Hawkey Hall in Woodford or Ilford Town Hall. Astra Zenica 2nd vaccinations will take place at the surgery and you will receive a phone call or text message to book you in to one of our clinics.

 For now we ask our patients to help us deliver this effectively to those who need it most by doing the following:

• wait to be invited for your vaccine – you will be contacted when it’s the right time to come forward so please don’t seek a vaccine before then;

• act on your invite and make sure you attend your appointments when you arrange them;

• and of course, stay safe by following all the social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will still save lives.

You can find out more about the vaccine here:  

Information about the coronavirus vaccine

Information about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine

Covid vaccination: guide for older adults

Covid vaccination: guide for older adults (PDF file)

 If you wish to find out more you can read detailed guidance and view all publications on delivering the vaccination programme here.

COVID-19  DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT - Please ensure you are wearing a face mask or scarf. Only one patient may enter at a time. For minors, one parent with one child only and NO bags of shopping to be brought in to the premises.

The NHS is still here for you

Your NHS is still here for you. We know that some people are worried that they might be a burden to the NHS, or that they could contract COVID-19 if they seek help for an urgent medical issue at the moment. GPs in your area want to reassure you that this isn’t the case and your NHS is here for you.  

If you need urgent medical help visit your GP practice website, use an NHS app to contact your practice, or contact them by phone. Most appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional will now be via a phone call, and if you are told you need to see a clinician in person, the NHS has put measures in place to make sure patients are seen safely.

GP practices and hospitals have strict infection prevention and control measures in place, so it is safe to attend appointments. We ask that before you enter the surgery, a face mask or scarf must be worn, only one patient at a time - for minors, one parent or guardian only and no bags of shopping.

It is important that you continue attend routine appointments, such as antenatal checks, cancer screenings, and take your children for childhood vaccinations, as normal, unless you have been told not to attend.

If you need urgent medical help, and are not able to contact your practice visit NHS 111 online. If you cannot get help online, call 111. If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999

Advice regarding Coronavirus remains the same. Anyone who has symptoms of this illness (a new continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of smell or taste) must stay at home for at least ten days. Anyone you live with should not leave your home for 14 days. You can use the NHS 111 COVID-19 online service to check your symptoms and get more advice. You should not go to a GP practice, pharmacy or hospital. This is to help limit the spread of the virus.

Letter for employers if self isolating or still experiencing covid symptoms after isolation

The government have issued clear guidance not to contact your GP surgery for Fit notes regarding Covid-19 isolation or symptoms. Please print the following letter, tick the category the letter applies to and send to your employer.

letter re med 3 required by employer.pdf

Appointments

ALL patients should register for the NHS APP, ASAP, to enable you to book telephone consultations, request prescriptions and view test results. The identification process be done completely online - no need to visit the surgery to do this. For patients that are unable to use these online tools, and all self care measures have been exhausted (including your local pharmacist's advice) or you have a significant health concern, please call the surgery.

All appointments have been switched to telephone/video consultations and only patients that really need to be seen face to face after being assessed on the phone by a clinician will be given an appointment.

Please do not come early for your appointment as you may be asked to wait outside.

Access to the building will be restricted to the patients who have been invited for an appointment.

Anyone who attempts to gain access to the surgery who has not been invited will be asked to leave the premises.

Only the patient with the appointment will be allowed in the building.

For children, only one parent/guardian will be allowed to accompany the child.

PRESCRIPTIONS:

We will no longer be issuing printed prescriptions. All prescriptions will be sent electronically to your pharmacy to prevent footfall to the surgery. If you cannot download the NHS App or have not been set up electronically with your pharmacy, you will be asked on the telephone for your nominated pharmacy so that your prescription can be sent to them electronically.

REMEMBER TO USE THE HAND SANITIZER ON RECEPTION OR WASH YOUR HANDS IN THE PATIENT TOILETS.

This is a very challenging tine for all of us and we appreciate your co-operation during this period of uncertainty. Our priority, as always, is the health and safety of our patients and staff.

National Data Opt-out

If you have concerns regarding your NHS data or wish to opt out please visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 3035678.

Serving You

Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.

Partners in Care

Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.

Access & Parking

Easy disability access is available at the surgery entrance, as is a toilet for the disabled and baby changing facilities. 

Parking is available at nearby car parks, with reserved areas for the disabled at the entrance.