GP practices are grouping together and working closely in what are called primary care networks (PCNs).
Privacy Policy
Chaperone Policy
At Harlow South PCN the chaperone policy poster is clearly displayed in the waiting area and in all clinical areas (see Annex A), as well as on the practice website.
Clinics at Harlow South PCN
Weekend Appointments Available through the Enhanced Access Service
Patients can see a GP or another healthcare professional at the weekend. This service offers additional, pre-booked appointments at convenient times to suit your needs. Enhanced Access is a service which practices are nationally required to deliver as part of the new PCN agreements. This service provides 30 min of additional appointments per 1,000 population.
Harlow South PCN are delivering this service on behalf of our GP practices, these appointments are seen as an extension of routine GP practice hours. However, they are delivered outside of regular opening hours and are based in a central location at the PCN Clinic at Lister House Health Centre
How to book an Enhanced Access Appointment
Patients can book Enhanced Access appointments through the normal routes at in your GP surgery practice (online via the AccuRx forms on your practice websites, via the NHS App, by calling your GP surgery or by visiting them in person at reception). You will receive a text with details of when and where the appointment is and who the appointment is with. We will ask permission to access your medical records, without which we will not be able to offer you on of these appointments
To cancel or change an Enhanced Access appointment, contract your GP Surgery during opening hours (8:00am to 6:30pm).
If you have any other questions, or would like to find out more about the service, please contact your GP surgery or email hweicbwe.harlowsouth.pcn@nhs.net
Other resources:
NHS App
Introduction video to the NHS App
How to use the NHS App (YouTube Playlist)
Current Projects:
While You Are Waiting and Right Care Right Place Project.
Herts & West Essex ICB are working in partnership with Harlow South PCN to implement a project to support a group of patients and their health and wellbeing while waiting for clinical intervention at Princess Alexandra Hospital. This project will also look at the use of A&E for non-urgent care and whether more appropriate services can be offered to prevent a person’s illness or mental wellbeing deteriorating.
We have secured funding for one year to implement the project using the social prescribing model.
Social Prescribing is an approach to healthcare that connects patients with non-clinical services and activities in their community to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Social Prescribing complements traditional medical treatments by addressing the wider need and concerns of health, looking at a person rather than just their physical condition.
We are excited to be launching this project and hope that the offer of extra support to our patients will help to improve wellbeing and physical health.
Meet our GP practice team
Our GP practice team is made up of GPs, nurses, and other trained and experienced healthcare professionals, as well as our reception team, who work together to help you get the right care as quickly as possible. The staff you talk with when you phone the surgery are also trained to support you to get the right appointment for your needs. They will ask you a few questions about what you need help with so that they point you to the best person. All our staff treat your information it in the strictest confidence.
You may be offered an appointment with a nurse, a healthcare assistant, a Physiotherapist, a Pharmacist, a Social Prescriber, a Paramedic or another role if this is the best person to help you. Because some of these specialists work across a few different surgeries locally, you might be offered an appointment with them at another nearby surgery.
We will always offer you an appointment with a GP if that is the best person to help you and you also have the right to ask for an appointment with a GP if that is what you prefer. There will times where other health professionals will be able to give you more appropriate support.
There are different ways you can make an appointment:
- Use our online form on the practice website
- Or call us on
Lister Medical Centre (01279 639791)
The Hamilton Practice (01279 215415)
The Ross Practice (01279 215354)
- Use the NHS App (Introduction video to the NHS App)
- Visit the practice between 8:00am and 6:30pm (Close for lunch Monday 1pm to 2pm)
Who’s who:
Practice Nurse
Nurses provide a wide range of services including dealing with dressings, checking over minor injuries, caring for wounds as well as some vaccinations and some health screenings.
Some are specialists in areas such as diabetes or respiratory care such as asthma.
Advance Nurse Practitioner
These nurses can see you if you have an undiagnosed medical condition (i.e. they can be your first contact about new symptoms), and they make treatment decisions, undertake appropriate home visits, and sign ‘fit’ notes. Some are qualified to prescribe medication for some conditions.
Health Care Assistant
Health Care Assistants carry out some clinical tasks, such as blood pressure checks, ECG, health checks, and flu injections. They often help with the practice’s health promotion and infection control work.
Paramedic
Paramedics run clinics, provide clinical triage, and help with minor illnesses. A paramedic may visit your or a family member if housebound with a long-term condition.
Care Coordinator
A Care Coordinator helps prepare you for upcoming conversations about your health and care and supports you to understand and manage your care.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and offer health advice. They can review repeat prescriptions, make changes if needed and advise on possible side effects. They will tell your GP if your medicines need to be changed. If you are on regular medication, the pharmacist will review this each year to see if it needs to be adjusted.
First Contact Practitioners (FCP)
FCPs are trained Physiotherapists who specialise in the treatment people with physical problems caused by illness, injury, disability, or ageing. You can get an appointment with an FCP if you are having pains in your back or limbs. They also promote good health and advise people on how to avoid injury.
Social Prescriber
These roles connect you to nearby groups, activities, and services to meet your social, emotional and practical needs which affect your health and wellbeing. They will have an appointment with you to understand your needs and help you get the support you need. Examples include walking groups, cookery classes, volunteering or debt advice.
Mental Health Therapists and Practitioners
Our qualified mental health workers can assess your needs and help you access local services and resources to help with your mental health. If you have a mental health condition, they can provide advice and support to manage your condition.
Receptionist Team
Our practice receptionists are often the first person you will speak to whether you phone or visit the practice. They are trained to ensure you get the right appointment. We know some patients prefer not to discuss personal information, but the more information you give them, the better they will be able to help. They will treat your information in strictest confidence.
GP
GPs are experts at diagnosing and managing medical conditions and referring patients to other services for urgent or specialist care when appropriate. If you have a concerning symptom that won’t go away, they are the people you will speak with first.