Dementia Friendly
Old Forge Surgery
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.
**Response to COVID-19 Vaccine Oxford-AstraZeneca media reports**
The UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe, have said that evidence DOES NOT suggest that the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab is linked to blood clots.
People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.
Please read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-response-to-irish-authorities-action-to-temporarily-suspend-the-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine
Urgent Care
If you are unwell during the day; Monday to Fridays, 8am to 6pm then please ring us at the surgery. After 6pm and at the weekend ring NHS 111 and you will be guided to the most appropriate service to meet your needs.
By phoning NHS 111, patients who need to be seen urgently on the same day will be offered an appointment with a healthcare professional either at their own GP surgery or at another surgery nearby called a Primary Care Service or a hub.
Tel: NHS 111 - Talk Before You Walk
You should have received a leaflet delivered to your home with details about the range of services available and a copy can be downloaded here.
Nut Free Practice
The practice has introduced a ‘Nut Free Practice’ policy. This is to prevent the risk of patients or staff suffering from an allergic reaction to nuts.
We would be grateful if patients could avoid eating nuts prior to visiting the practice and to washing their hands if they have recently eaten nuts before attending the surgery. Please do not bring nuts into the practice.
Durham Locate
https://www.durhamlocate.org.uk/
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.
Booking Online
Follow the link: Click Here
Alcohol - Not the Answer
Many people have found themselves drinking more during the pandemic – and at levels that can harm health.
It is more important than ever before to look after our mental wellbeing and physical health – and cutting back on alcohol can help us do that.
Alcohol can be more harmful than you realise and just a couple of glasses a night can put you at greater risk.
Drinking no more than 14 units a week helps keep risks from alcohol low.
The main call to action is for people to reduce their drinking, and all campaign activity will encourage people to visit the Balance reducemyrisk.tv website.
New Service Offers Emotional Support
Our new 24-hour freephone listening, support and signposting telephone service offers emotional support to adults living in County Durham and Darlington. The service is available for people to call if they are in mental or emotional distress. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the freephone line is an alternative to traditional crisis care for people and offers local people the opportunity to talk to trained mental health support workers about whatever is troubling them.
Experienced staff are on hand to provide listening support, offer advice and guidance and, if needed, signpost callers to other local services which can support their overall wellbeing.
To access the service call freephone 0800 0516 171 and select option 1 followed by option 3.
(Site updated 05/05/2021)