You can view your results ONLINE via the NHS App or other approved apps (such as Patient Access). If the Practice needs to speak to you about the results we will contact you directly.
If you want to call us to discuss your results please ring AFTER LUNCHTIME for test results, this ensures that our phone lines are available for urgent appointments at the busiest times.
Your results cannot be given to another person due to confidentiality reasons, unless you have already requested this and it is recorded in your notes. 01606 544241.
Most tests take approximately 2 working days to return, with specialised tests taking longer. X-ray and scan results are usually received by the practice 7-10 days after the test was performed. It is your responsibility to look at your own results, as we process large numbers of tests each day and are unable to telephone individual results.
If you have patient access online and have elected to view your medical records then you can look at your test results online. Please make sure you have read the Guide to Patient Access as results are reported centrally and may show ‘abnormal’ in the app, but it could be not-significant for you; we will always contact you directly if there is any action as the GPs review all results when they come into practice.
Self Certification – Sick Note
How Do I Get A Sick Note?
Please go to the Government Website to see the Guidance on only needing a fit note from the GP for an employer after 7 working days:
You now do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting 7 days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.
Evidence that you are sick
If you are sick for more than 7 working days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
If you require a Sick (Fit) note, please use our self refer tab on the main page & select the Sick (Fit) note button where you will be able to request this using our online form.
Non-urgent advice:
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
Non-urgent advice:
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work – ’Fit Note’
The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant delays and cancellations of outpatient appointments within the NHS. Consequently, many patients awaiting consultations or treatments have experienced prolonged waits. If your symptoms have worsened while waiting for your hospital appointment, the agreement with the health authority is that you should contact the hospital directly. The consultant will then assess your updated symptoms and decide on the appropriate course of action. Hospital secretaries may sometimes advise patients to contact their GP for an “expedite letter” to prioritise appointments. However, this approach rarely results in an earlier appointment and unnecessarily takes up a GP appointment that could be used for another patient in need. Hospitals are better equipped to prioritise patients based on the severity of their symptoms and the overall waiting lists. To assist you in communicating changes in your referral status, we have prepared two example letters for your use: For patients awaiting their first specialist appointment For patients awaiting a follow-up appointment, treatment, or surgery
Non-urgent advice: Important Note
Oakwood Medical Centre does not book appointments for expedite letter requests. It is your responsibility to contact the relevant hospital department, appointments team, or consultants secretary to follow up on the outcome of your request.
Querying Wait Times for Your Appointment
If you wish to query the waiting times for the department to which you have been referred, you will need to contact the hospital’s appointments team or the secretaries at the department directly. We do not have access to the hospital systems to check wait times and are not provided with up-to-date information regarding delays for individual clinics.
If you are struggling to contact the hospital the numbers for Leighton Appointments and their PALS team are below. Our Care Coordinator’s can help to support patients and carer’s who may be unable to support themselves in doing this, please do contact us if you or a family member may benefit from this support.
Oakwood Medical Centre is committed to providing you with the support and recourses needed during these challenging times.
Contact Information for Local Hospitals and Support Services When sending your letters or contacting the hospital, address it to either the Outpatient Appointments department (for initial consultations) or directly to your consultants secretary (for follow-up care). Below are the links to the contact details of local hospitals and support services:
Patients can ask their GP for a private referral form. We cannot recommend any specific private service.
Please leave enough time between requesting a private referral and your booked appointment as the request will need to be approved and written by the GP.
In most cases the GP will need to have a consultation with you about the referral unless it is something they have already been dealing with.
Please be aware of the responsibilities around Private Referrals, see the link below
Mental Health Support for Children and Young People
Mental Health Support for Children & Young People – Oakwood
Non-urgent advice: Talking Therapies – Northwich
The Talking Therapies service (formerly Improving Access to Psychological Therapies -IAPT) is for adults and older people aged 16 years and over, with mild, moderate and moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, who are likely to benefit from brief psychological therapy.
Non-urgent advice: Mental Health Support for children and young people
There are a number of online Mental Health services that support children and young people. From as young as pre-school up to young adults, some of the websites allow online support from Mental health professionals, whilst others give advice to parents and carers also.
Please see the website links below for more information
The staff in your practice are trained about domestic abuse and specialist workers are available to support you. Your practice is an IRIS practice. You can talk to doctors, nurses and other staff working here if you are being hurt or controlled by your current or ex-partner, are afraid of someone at home or a member of your family.
Non-urgent advice:
You can also contact 0300 123 7047 option 2 and ask to speak to your local IRIS Advocate Educator.
The Open the Door website also has lots of information to help if you or someone you know who is in a relationship that doesn’t quite feel right. Visit the link below for advice and access to self-support services:
• Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support. • Talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife. • Men can call Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men’s Advice Line (Wednesday to Friday 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support • Men can also call ManKind on 0182 3334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm) • If you identify as LGBT+ you can call Galop on 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support • Anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit • In an emergency, call 999
Carers
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
If you look after your partner, or a relative or friend who is ill or disabled, you are a carer, even if you don’t think of yourself that way. There are many ways that you might care for someone.
Our Practice is accessible from the main car park and located next to the disabled car parking spaces just at the entry. The clinical rooms are all based on the ground floor with wide corridors and an easily accessible waiting area.
Wheelchair
If you require assistance with a wheelchair please let us know beforehand so we can ensure it is ready for you (a member of staff will need to control the wheelchair).
Guide dogs
Guide dogs are permitted on site, but all other dogs are not permitted.
Hearing loop & Sign Language Support
There is a hearing loop available in the building. If you require support during your appointment please let the reception team know.
Makaton
Makaton signs are available on the leaflet stand in main reception should anyone need to access them to help support their appointment. In the next few months they will be put up around the practice in relevant areas.
Suggestions
If you have any suggestions on how to ensure the building is more accessible please contact vrccg.oakwoodmanagers@nhs.net or use the suggestions slips in main reception.
