Welcome to Coquet Medical Group, covering Amble and Broomhill Health Centres in Morpeth.
We will be using this website to keep you informed of all the latest news and events happening at our health centres.
The Staff at Coquet Medical Group will at all times be polite, courteous and respectful towards patients using the services offered. It is expected that patients will in return be polite, courteous and respectful towards all staff members. For the comfort and safety of all staff and patients, abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. This includes: swearing, shouting, threats, refusal to cooperate, drunken behaviour, violent behaviour and refusal to leave the premises when asked.
We will always try to ensure that the rights of patients, as detailed in the NHS Constitution are respected. Full details of these are available on request.
The police will be called if a request to leave the premises is ignored. A written warning (yellow card) will be issued to the person concerned. Anyone in receipt of a second written warning (yellow card) will be removed from the patient list. At present the alternative arrangements set up by Northumberland Care Trust for such patients to receive GP care, is registration with a nominated GP in Blyth, regardless of the patient's address.
Assault is a crime and the NHS will always press for the maximum possible penalty for anyone who commits a crime against NHS staff.
To be inserted
It's not too late to come in your for Flu Vaccination.
If you are eligible, please contact 01670 570173.
Team CMG
We were hoping to have spring booster clinics set up in May 2023 but unfortunately the vaccine supply is extremely poor at the moment.
We continue to request vaccine weekly and we hope that if the deliveries start to improve over the next few weeks we will be able to offer some clinics in early June 2023.
These clinics will be for patients who are over 75 and those who are immuno-suppressed over the age of 12.
If you have received an invite from the NHS you can also book at a vaccination centre via this link:
Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Team CMG
We will be offering COVID Spring Booster in May 2023 at Amble Health Centre.
Invites and clinics will be added as soon as we confirm vaccine delivery dates.
These clinics will be for patients who are over 75 and those who are immunosuppressed over the age of 12.
If you have received an invite from the NHS you can also book at a vaccination centre via this link:
Team CMG
Demand
Demand for access and appointments is at an all time high in General Practice. Coquet Medical Group's registered patient list is now just under 12,000 patients.
Staffing
We have invested in new Practice staff to help with this additional demand over the last 6 months and our clinical staff moving forward include:
5 GP Partners
4 Salaried GPs
3 ANPs (including a Frailty ANP who covers our Care Home and Acute Home Visits)
5 Practice Nurses (1 currently on Maternity Leave)
1 Nurse Associate
1 Trainee Nurse Associate
5 Health Care Assistants
GP Contractual Changes
NHS England have released new contractual changes for 2023/24 in the form of our GP Contract. One aim with these changes is help ensure patients are seen in the right place, at the right time by the right person whilst focusing on patient safety. Where possible an assessment of need will be conducted on the patients' first contact with their GP Practice, or the patient will be signposted to an appropriate service.
Also in the GP Contract is that all patients (unless consent not given or it is not suitable) are given prospective (future) medical records access via online services by the 31st October 2023.
Appointment System : 1st April 2023
As a Practice we have done work ahead of the contract changes so that our appointment system from the 1st April 2023 will move towards 80% of our GP and ANP appointments will be released on the day. We would therefore encourage patients to ring on the day which they require an appointment to be booked in. The other 20% of appointment slots will be used for follow up appointments for continuity of care. This 80 : 20 appointment split is recommended by NHS England.
We will also be looking at creating some reserved on the day appointment slots within our Practice Nursing Team to help access their appointments.
We would encourage all patients to contact the Practice via telephone to arrange any appointments and not to attend the Practice at 8:00am each morning.
Any requested for Home Visits should be submitted via telephone call before 10:30am each day.
8:00am is always our busiest time on our telephone system so you may experience waiting times when calling at this time. If your call can wait until later in the day then this is advisable. We are reviewing staffing levels to ensure more staff are available to answer calls when we open at 8:00am.
We will be looking to you, our patients, and our local PPG (Patient Participation Group) to provide any suggestions you may have to help avoid this 8am rush for appointments.
A further survey and communication will be sent out soon.
Care Navigation
To comply with the signposting patients to appropriate services all of our Reception Staff are being trained in Care Navigation. This means that when a patient contacts the Practice they will be asked to provide a brief description of why they are contacting the Practice. This will ensure that patients who can access alternative services do so in the first instance; for example a Pharmacy or a Self-Referral Service. The Practice will be updating our Social Media, Website and Waiting Rooms to help signpost our patients to alternative services where applicable.
Part of Care Navigation is to also ensure that you get booked into the most appropriate clinician at the practice for your needs. We have a large range of clinicians working out of Coquet Medical Group such as First Contact Physiotherapists, Frailty Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health Worker, Health and Wellbeing Coaches etc. Our needs on the day may mean that you do not need to access a GP but an alternative clinician.
System Review and Updates
We are constantly reviewing and updating our practice systems including our appointments systems to ensure the most efficient system for patients whilst bearing in mind capacity and demand.
We are also working with our neighbouring Practice through our Primary Care Network to help improve access to Primary Care Services.
We plan to start sharing our appointment and telephone figures regularly via our Patient Communications from April 2023.
Team CMG
We have had some both planned and unplanned absence in our Reception Team this month and our clinical team too. This has resulted in limited appointment access on the day for GP’s. Limited Reception staff has also caused extended waiting times for our telephone lines. Staffing levels are forecast to improve in the coming weeks.
We have completed our Telephone Audit and are working with our telephone provider to review the results to try and improve our telephone access. Our reception team are logging in and out of the handsets when in use as we have identified that this may have been the cause of people getting cut off. We will continue to review the system and update patients.
We are installing appointment self check in screens at both health centre. Broomhills I’m up and running and ambles is due to be installed.
For suitable appointments we are now able to send patients text messages with self booking links to book your own appointments to save calling the health centre. We hope that this is a more convenient way to book appointments for patients who have mobile phones.
We have also now got access to a tablet and iPad which our Digital Champion Team are setting up and planning on setting up drop in sessions at both health centres to help patients set up online access and support patients in using more digital services.
We are busy collating all of our patient survey results and will be highlighting areas to focus on to improve services.
We are setting up a new appointment system from April to improve appointment access for patients on the day. More details will be circulated in due course. We continually monitor our appointment system to try and improve access and capacity.
Last week we welcomed Fay Stephenson a new Advanced Nurse Practitioner. She is currently completing her induction and will start seeing patients from next week.
We also have a couple of new trainee GP’s Dr Sam Maxwell and Dr Frances Herdman who will be with us for a few months.
We are due to welcome back Dr Julia Lamberth in April from her maternity leave.
Team CMG
As a Practice we would like to start regularly communicating to our patients to give up to date information about the working of our Practice and the Services we offer. This will include telephone call data, appointment data including 'did not attend' figures.
We are aware of ongoing issues with our telephone provider. We have taken advice from our service provider who is liaising regularly with our Management Team. Next week our Reception Team will be conducting a telephone audit so any patient who reports being cut off or any other issues our Reception Team will be asking for more details to log as many calls to pass to the telephone company so that they can look into these ongoing problems.
We have a group of staff members wo have recently completed Digital Champion Training and are putting together an action plan to help utilise more digital ways of working. You may have seen that we are now on Instagram and we are looking into getting Twitter to be able to communicate with our patients quickly and on all social media platforms. We will also be starting a campaign to ensure we have up to date mobile phone numbers and email addresses for patients and asking you for your preferred contact method.
You may have noticed that are already sending out text messages for annual bloods and Cervical Screening appointments with a link which is valid for 48 hours to enable patients to book their own appointments directly onto our appointment system. We are also looking into making more appointments available to book directly online via Online Services.
We are aware that our appointment capacity is still not where it needs to be. To help improve this we are setting up an Access Group with representation from our Practice Teams and with our Patient Participation Group to help improve the way our patients access appointments.
Next week we will be welcoming back Dr Ruth Gertig back to the Practice as an additional Salaried GP based at Broomhill Health Centre.
On the 1st March 2023 we will be welcoming a Full Time Advanced Nurse Practitioner working across 4 days helping to cover our Care Home and Frailty patients as well as doing set clinic days.
In early April 2023 we will be welcoming back Dr Julia Lamberth from her Maternity Leave and who returns to be based at Amble Health Centre.
Our Practice Nursing Team welcomed four new members in the last few months – Two new Practice Nurses and two new Health Care Assistants. Their training and development within the Team will continue over the coming months but we have as a result a significant increase in appointments within this Team.
We currently have a Patient Survey out for patients to give us feedback on our service. If you would like to complete this survey, please follow the below link:
Coquet Medical Group patient survey 2022 | SurveyPlanet
A HUGE thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, your views are important to us, and will help us shape and improve our services.
Team CMG
We are regularly monitored as a service by our Care Quality Commission. Part of this review is to request patients to supply feedback on the care that they have recieved at our Practice.
If you would like to give feedback on our behalf please use the link below:
We are happy to announce that we have just finished a large intake of new staff across our Practice Teams.
Jessica, Rachael, Kelly and Angela have all joined our Reception Team in the previous 6 weeks and continue to complete their induction and training periods. This should see a decreased waiting times on our telephone system.
Katie and Jo have joined our Practice Nursing Team in November and are starting to carry out their own clinics to help increase appointment capacity.
Nikita and Coleen have most recently joined our Health Care Team and are carrying out their induction period throughout December. This will help again with our appointment capacity within this Team.
In the New Year we have a further Salaried General Practitioner and Advanced Nurse Practitioner joining our Team to help with more appointment capacity. We are also looking forward to welcoming back Dr Julia Lamberth following her Maternity Leave.
Our Primary Care Network has been busy recruiting and we have recently welcomed a new Mental Health Worker – Clare and a new Pharmacy Technician – Louise as part of their hours at Coquet Medical Group each week.
They are currently recruiting more posts and we are hoping to welcome more PCN staff into our Practice in the new year.
As a part of our Primary Care Network we are now offering some extended access appointments every Tuesday Evening at Coquet Medical Group between 6:30pm-8:00pm. Our patients as part of the PCN Extended Access will in the new year be able to access appointments at our PCN Sites on other week nights and weekends. We will share this information when this becomes available.
We are awaiting some final handyman works and IT installs to be done to ensure all of our new Clinical Rooms at both Health Centres are fully functioning in the New Year.
We are aware that our telephone system still has some issues with patients being cut off and some extended waiting time and we are working with the provider to rectify these.
Please follow the below link for information on how to stay well this winter:
How to stay well in winter - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Team CMG
Do you have a baby or young child? Or are you a young person?
There is a new website and App which has been launched to improve the health and wellbeing of babies, children and young people throughout North East and North Cumbria.
Click here to visit the website.
Or download the App from App Store or Google Play today!
This is a brilliant resource to use for advice, support and information.
Team Coquet Medical Group
Your NHS Account and the NHS App.
Follow this link to find out everything you need to know about your NHS account and the NHS App, to help you access NHS services online.
Already use NHS login/NHS App? Please click here to access your NHS App services.
You can now access a range of NHS & GP services via your computer, mobile, ipad or other device. You can:
To access these services, you will need to have an NHS login.
You can use either your phone or your computer to apply for an NHS login.
Following the completion of our Building works at both Health Centres we are making a change to how our Practice runs.
We have created a Reception HUB at Broomhill Health Centre away from our busy front Reception Desks where all of our telephone lines will be being answered from next month.
Our Practice Telephone numbers will now be:
Main Line : 01670 760229
Dedicated Prescription Line : 01670 570162
We understand that over recent months our call waiting times have been much longer than we want then to be. We hope that with our increased staffing levels and dedicated Reception HUB for answering call will improve this dramatically.
Please be patient with us for a little bit longer whilst we transition into our new system and train our new staff but we hope that all our patients start to see an improvement imminently.
Coquet Medical Group
Due to the increased number of COVID cases in Northumberland at present we would like to encourage all of our patients to wear masks when attending our Practice.
Thanks in advance.
Team Coquet Medical Group
You ring the surgery and find you’re eighth in the queue. Eventually you get through but there’s no appointments with a doctor or advanced nurse practitioner left that day. The receptionist asks if you feel it’s urgent enough to warrant a call back from the duty on-call GP.
The receptionist reviews the appointment screen and realises that unfortunately the emergency GP is unable to safely accept more patients.
We appreciate how frustrating this can be for you We wanted to take some time to help explain the challenge we face and hope you can help us to cope over this unprecedented time.
No matter how much the doctors and nurses want to provide an efficient caring service, they are a limited resource and when they attempt to deal with too many patients in a day there’s serious risk.
Risk to the patient, as the clinician is human and their judgement can be eroded when overloaded, and genuine risk to the clinician of “burnout”.
The “safe capacity” is there for a reason. It may mean you have to ring NHS 111 to be safely triaged but it helps ensure your local GP service can continue to function.
The NHS is under considerable pressure and cracks can be seen across the system.
Your local GP service from Coquet Medical Group will survive. Not only will it survive but plans are being developed to help Coquet Medical Group strengthen its position over time and expand the service we can offer you, our patients.
This, however, will take time and the next five - six months will be incredibly challenging for us all. We have over 12,000 patients and more houses are being developed in the area.
Every day we find that our clinical capacity (i.e., Doctors / Nurses etc) is overwhelmed by the demand on our services. It’s like trying to pour two pints into a one pint jug every day.
Our practice has never had more doctors or nurses but still, requests for appointments outstrips our capacity daily.
Our doctors and nurses face a stream of patients every day and have around just 10 minutes per patient. In that time, we are focused to help identify those who are seriously unwell or in the early stages of serious illness such as cancer.
Time pressures are extreme, we would love to have far more time for each one of you, but the reality is that time is a finite resource and additional time spent with one patient places pressure on the time allocated to the next patient.
At times this may make you and your clinician feel slightly rushed. We sincerely apologise for this.
Why don’t we simply allocate each patient more time for a consultation?
We review this constantly and the balance has been struck to allow us to safely manage around five patients per hour focusing on a single problem.
We have invested heavily in increased staffing, but GPs take a long time to train and there is a major shortage across the country.
For highly motivated, caring people, who have followed a vocation to become a doctor or nurse it can easily become demoralising when, despite all the energy and emotion you put into your job, you simply cannot meet all the needs of your patients.
A side effect of this overwhelming demand is that some patients become understandably frustrated.
Sadly, some of these patients then vent this angst on the most vulnerable and exposed members of our team – our reception staff.
As a direct result our reception team has been depleted. This in turn places unenviable pressure on the remaining receptionists and in turn the wider team.
Such staff abuse will not be tolerated.
Anyone threatening or abusing our staff, swearing or being disrespectful will find themselves warned and if appropriate, removed from our list.
A “zero tolerance” approach means just that – Coquet Medical Group will not tolerate any staff abuse. Anyone deciding to ignore this can try to find themselves another GP practice.
Enough said.
On a more positive note, we have recently managed to secure some GP locum support and additional full-time staff will be joining us in October.
We have recruited a Covid Vaccine Manager to help deliver the booster campaign locally from our Amble site to all over 50yrs old and those over 5yrs old with underlying health issues.
We have recently managed to get support from the local CCG to have additional consulting rooms built at both our Amble and Hadston sites and these are now operational.
Despite these extra rooms we still do not have enough clinical rooms or staff to deliver the kind of service we are striving for.
It is our intention to hold further discussions with the CCG in Oct/Nov about this situation with the aim of extending the practice significantly.
By March 2023 our clinical staff will increase again as we have managed to recruit both another GP and ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner).
We need your help. We need your support, and we need your patience.
Before you rush to ring or visit the GP practice, please consider whether other routes to access care and support would be appropriate.
Finally, please remember we are trying hard to provide safe care for you and your family when needed. This Autumn and Winter will test us all and will inevitably be tough.
Please do not underestimate the impact of the last 2 years on us all.
We are now witnessing the effect of cumulative fatigue on staff members, and we must work together to protect the local GP service at Coquet Medical Group for you, your family, friends and our community.
Together we will get through Autumn and Winter and moving into 2023 our GP practice will consolidate its position and with your help and support will develop into the practice we would all wish for.
Thank you.
Drs Alison Oxby, Dr Katherine Carman, Dr Kathy McConnaiche, Dr Jamie Willey & Dr Ben Burville
Partners Coquet Medical Group
Practical examples that should be noted are as follows below - these can all be contacted DIRECTLY by you, our patients, and can speed up access for you to local treatment:
Urgent mental health support –: NHS Crisis Team 0303 123 1146 Direct access to NHS mental health counselling services. Talking Matters: 0300 3030 700 https://www.tmnorthumberland. org.uk/contact-us/
Social care needs – help with carers / needs assessments for care / housing problems, safeguarding for adults and children, mobility aids etc– NHS One Call : 01670 536400 https://healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/onecall-northumberlandsocial-services/
Sexual Health including pregnancy termination and vasectomies 01670 515151 https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-health-services
Musculo-skeletal problems (e.g. back pain /knee/shoulder/hip pain) JMAPS – Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service 03301 244 652 https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/musculoskeletal/northumberland-joint-musculoskeletal-and-pain-service-jmaps#30711117
These services can provide direct access to help and can reduce pressure on our local GP practice. In addition, pharmacists at our local chemists can often help with a range of problems and provide timely safe treatment.
It is with deep regret that we need to share this today…
Unfortunately an incident occurred last night on a community Facebook site where patients of our Practice felt the need to personally attack or name our Practice staff in a negative and derogatory manner.
This has left our staff today feeling very hurt and upset and this is not behaviour that we deem acceptable.
In line with the rest of the NHS we have a Zero Tolerance policy, whereby aggressive or violent behaviour towards our staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances and this includes through Facebook and not just when attending our Practice site.
This Policy is necessary to protect all of our staff, who are all here to help our patients and do not deserve to be treat unkindly or with any abuse.
We appreciate that this is a small minority of patients however we would like to remind all of our patients that we must be kind and respect one another.
The GP Partners and Management Team
Coquet Medical Group
Dear Patients
Currently we are experiencing considerable difficulties at the Practice. We recognise that appointment levels are not as we we would like them to be. We are aware that there are extended waiting times on our telephone lines. We would like to explain what we are doing to improve things for our staff and our patients.
Staffing Levels
Currently we have a reduced number of clinical appointments for the following reasons:
Implementing New Changes:
Thank you for your ongoing support.
GP Partners and Management Team
Coquet Medical Group
The pathology lab is experiencing problems with reporting pathology reports, which means we may not have received some or none of your pathology reports from 9th August onwards. The lab are aiming to resolve this problem as quickly as possible (it is a nationwide problem which is affecting a number of GP practices and Hospitals).
Thank you
Coquet Medical Group
People aged 80 years and older are now eligible for both their COVID-19 and Flu jabs
Please book your vaccinations today by ringing our vaccination booking line on 01670 570 187
Alternatively, you can also phone our reception team on 01665 710 481 or 01670 760 229.
Building Works - buildings works started yesterday at our Amble Health Centre. Please note that the building is open but there is only one Receptionist manning our Reception desk so you may experience a small wait when attending for appointments. We are awaiting self check in desks to be installed at both Health Centres in the near future to help.
Telephone Lines - All of our telephones lines are being diverted to Broomhill Health Centre. Unfortunately due to planned and unplanned leave within our reception team you may experience a longer waiting times over the coming weeks. We are looking at alternative staffing options.
Appointment System - We have reviewed and updated our appointment system. We are working towards having 60% of all of our appointments bookable on the day to help with on day demand and access to our GPs and ANPs. Patients will be able to book any appointment on the day as either a telephone call or a face to face appointment. We will continue to have a Duty Doctor on call each morning and afternoon for urgent problems when all of our appointments have been filled. Once our Duty Doctor has been filled beyond a safe clinical capacity our patients will be directed to 111.
Recruitment - We have been continually recruiting for new clinical staff over the last few months and unfortunately we will experience a lag between staff leaving the practice and our new staff starting. We are reviewing our August rota and are seeking Locum staff cover for planned annual leave periods.
We will keep our patients up to date throughout this busy period and thank you all for your understanding during this very busy time. All of our staff are working extremely hard to keep all of services running throughout the summer. Please bare this in mind and be kind to all of our Team.
Updated on our new clinical staff to follow in the coming weeks.
Team CMG
We have re-designed our website to make it easier to use and to showcase the wider services available within the Well Up North Primary Care Network.
Amble Health Centre Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 08:00am - 6.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our phones are busiest first thing in the morning. If your call is not urgent please ring after 10:30am
If you are calling for blood test results, Please call after 1:00 pm
Broomhill Health Centre Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 08:00am - 6.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our phones are busiest first thing in the morning. If your call is not urgent please ring after 10:30am
If you are calling for blood test results, Please call after 1:00 pm
When the practice is closed, call 111
or if it is a life-threatening emergency call 999
NHS 111 the Out of Hours Service, is available when your Health Centre is closed i.e. Weekdays from 6.30 pm - 8.00 am, Weekends, 6.30 pm Friday - 8.00 am Monday
Please only use the out-of-hours service if your medical condition is such that you cannot possibly wait until the surgery opens again. The provision of an out-of-hours service costs local health authorities a lot of money and its resources are stretched by inappropriate use and patients who really need attention might have to wait longer.
NHS 111 is much more than a helpline - if you're worried about an urgent medical concern, you can call 111 to speak to a fully trained adviser.
Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP, and can arrange face-to-face appointments if they think you need one.
NHS 111 advisers can also assess if you need an ambulance and send one immediately if necessary.
If you're worried about an urgent medical concern, call 111 and speak to a fully trained adviser. For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.
Visit the NHS111 website for more information.
Call 999 in a medical emergency - when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Medical emergencies can include:
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.
Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma. Major trauma is often the result of a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.
You can now book appointments online and save yourself a trip to the surgery. To use the service, you will first need to contact us at reception to obtain a username and password. Once you have these, click on the link above to log in to this website and book your appointment.
We offer a wide range of appointments with our expanding clinical team including General Practitioners, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, First Contact Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Clinical Pharmacists, Nurse Associates, Health Care Assistants, Phlebotomist, GP Link Workers and Health and Wellbeing Coaches.
Speak to our Reception Team who can direct to the most appropriate service
We offer a mixture of telephone and face-to-face appointments either over the telephone or by attending the practice.
Our appointment system enables you to book:
We have a on call General Practitioner each morning and afternoon to deal with any urgent queries when our appointments are full.
If we have exceeded our capacity of available appointments, you will then be directed to 111.
If you no longer need your appointment, please notify the surgery.
Please make sure you notify us if you change your address or telephone number.
Demand
Demand for access and appointments is at an all time high in General Practice. Coquet Medical Group's registered patient list is now just under 12,000 patients.
Staffing
We have invested in new Practice staff to help with this additional demand over the last 6 months and our clinical staff moving forward include:
5 GP Partners
4 Salaried GPs
3 ANPs (including a Frailty ANP who covers our Care Home and Acute Home Visits)
5 Practice Nurses (1 currently on Maternity Leave)
1 Nurse Associate
1 Trainee Nurse Associate
5 Health Care Assistants
GP Contractual Changes
NHS England have released new contractual changes for 2023/24 in the form of our GP Contract. One aim with these changes is help ensure patients are seen in the right place, at the right time by the right person whilst focusing on patient safety. Where possible an assessment of need will be conducted on the patients' first contact with their GP Practice, or the patient will be signposted to an appropriate service.
Also in the GP Contract is that all patients (unless consent not given or it is not suitable) are given prospective (future) medical records access via online services by the 31st October 2023.
Appointment System : 1st April 2023
As a Practice we have done work ahead of the contract changes so that our appointment system from the 1st April 2023 will move towards 80% of our GP and ANP appointments will be released on the day. We would therefore encourage patients to ring on the day which they require an appointment to be booked in. The other 20% of appointment slots will be used for follow up appointments for continuity of care. This 80 : 20 appointment split is recommended by NHS England.
We will also be looking at creating some reserved on the day appointment slots within our Practice Nursing Team to help access their appointments.
We would encourage all patients to contact the Practice via telephone to arrange any appointments and not to attend the Practice at 8:00am each morning.
Any requested for Home Visits should be submitted via telephone call before 10:30am each day.
8:00am is always our busiest time on our telephone system so you may experience waiting times when calling at this time. If your call can wait until later in the day then this is advisable. We are reviewing staffing levels to ensure more staff are available to answer calls when we open at 8:00am.
We will be looking to you, our patients, and our local PPG (Patient Participation Group) to provide any suggestions you may have to help avoid this 8am rush for appointments.
A further survey and communication will be sent out soon.
Care Navigation
To comply with the signposting patients to appropriate services all of our Reception Staff are being trained in Care Navigation. This means that when a patient contacts the Practice they will be asked to provide a brief description of why they are contacting the Practice. This will ensure that patients who can access alternative services do so in the first instance; for example a Pharmacy or a Self-Referral Service. The Practice will be updating our Social Media, Website and Waiting Rooms to help signpost our patients to alternative services where applicable.
Part of Care Navigation is to also ensure that you get booked into the most appropriate clinician at the practice for your needs. We have a large range of clinicians working out of Coquet Medical Group such as First Contact Physiotherapists, Frailty Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health Worker, Health and Wellbeing Coaches etc. Our needs on the day may mean that you do not need to access a GP but an alternative clinician.
System Review and Updates
We are constantly reviewing and updating our practice systems including our appointments systems to ensure the most efficient system for patients whilst bearing in mind capacity and demand.
We are also working with our neighbouring Practice through our Primary Care Network to help improve access to Primary Care Services.
We plan to start sharing our appointment and telephone figures regularly via our Patient Communications from April 2023.
You can now order your repeat prescriptions online and save yourself a trip to the surgery. To use the service, you will first need to contact us at reception to obtain a username and password. Once you have these, click on the link above to log in to this website and place your order.
We have a dedicated telephone line for ordering repeat medications. Please note the area code: 01670 570 162
Open Monday - Friday 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00
Please have the names of the medication required with you when requesting repeat prescriptions and try to order a number of items each month rather than one each week. This avoids errors and saves time. TO AVOID WASTING MEDICINES, PLEASE ONLY ORDER THE ONES YOU NEED.
Please allow at least 3 working days for your prescription.
In the year prior to June 2017, the NHS spent approximately £569 million on prescriptions for medicines for minor conditions, which could otherwise be purchased over the counter (OTC) from a pharmacy and/or other outlets such as petrol stations or supermarkets.
The costs to the NHS for many of the items used to treat minor conditions are often higher than the prices for which they can be purchased over the counter as there are hidden costs. For example, a pack of 12 anti-sickness tablets can be purchased for £2.18 from a pharmacy whereas the actual total cost for the NHS is over £35 when you include GP consultation and other administration costs.
Northumberland CCG is asking practices not to prescribe treatments for minor and self-limiting conditions if the treatment can be bought over the counter. Please help us by buying medication such as:
Online services can be used to book, check or cancel appointments with a clinician, order repeat prescriptions and see parts of your health record, including test results.
By 31st October 2023 new entries in the GP records will be visible to all patients aged 16+ years and with an online account who have completed an application form to access records.
More information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/using-online-services/
Accessing your GP-held records via the NHS app or NHS website
As your GP practice, we have been asked to provide you with, no later than 31 October 2023, access to your full medical record going forward via the NHS app (and NHS website) if you have a suitable NHS login.
Your GP medical record contains consultation notes based on conversations between you, your GP and their team: medicines prescribed to you; all test results including hospital investigations; allergies; vaccines; and your medical conditions along with documents that may have been sent from local hospitals, clinics or other agencies, eg the police. There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record.
We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out, if you so wish. You may wish to speak with us first to understand what it is that you will see, and the risks which may be involved in having such confidential data either on your smartphone with the NHS app installed or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices. If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you, with them not appearing on your smartphone or online. Government has been clear that if a patient does not wish to have access, then we do not have to provide it. This is one reason why we have asked if you wish to opt out, or have it switched off for the time being.
For those who would like access, we are happy to explain the different levels you might like. Everyone can have access to their medication history and allergies, for example, and will be able to order their repeat prescriptions. It’s also possible to request access to what we call your ‘coded record’ where you can see a list of medical problems and results. You can also request access to the ‘full’ record where you will be able to see everything, including the notes which have been written by doctors, nurses and others involved in your care, at the GP surgery, and elsewhere.
It’s important to remember that these documents may, at times, contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn’t clear what the results might mean, and no one is available to ask, as can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example.
Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. Letters from mental health teams sometimes go into detail about past events, and great care would be needed in deciding whether you would want to see these letters. It is possible for individual items to be hidden at your request and your GP would be happy to talk about any concerns you may have.
Great care is also needed in case private details might cause harm at home, should people in a difficult or pressured relationship be forced to show their medical record to an abusive partner. Anyone in such a position should make this clear to us at the practice, so we can take steps to keep you safe. This might mean removing access through the NHS app for the time being, or through a careful process where we hide sensitive things. We would talk this through with you.
Requesting access – what do I need to do?
The easiest way to get access is to create an NHS login through the NHS app. Although you can also access your GP records via the internet on a computer, the first bit is easiest if done through a smartphone. If you don’t have one, you may have a family member or friend you trust who can help you. You can also ask your practice receptionist, but you’ll need some proof of who you are, eg a passport, driving licence or household bill.
If you use the NHS app, you’ll have to set up an account using a unique e-mail address and then ‘authenticate’ yourself to the NHS system to prove you are who you say you are. This will involve confirming your name, date of birth and contact details. The NHS login has several levels of authentication and to gain access to your records you’ll need the highest level of authentication. This generally involves you recording a short video of yourself to prove you are a real person as well as uploading a copy of a suitable identification document. Your GP practice can bypass this step if you are struggling, but we’d ask you to try to sign up to the NHS app yourself.
Once you have suitably authenticated yourself to the NHS app and created your NHS login you can approach your practice and ask for access, being mindful of the risks associated with access and the importance of not sharing passwords or having them stored in your smartphone if you think other people might want to see them without your permission. If you have any concerns, you should explain these to your GP practice team who can guide you.
Your GP practice will have a form they will ask you to complete, with your NHS login (this will be the email address you used to sign up) and then you will have a chat about access and your agreement and understanding will be requested. Once you are happy to get online access, your request will be passed to the clinical team to review. It may be that the practice wishes to contact you to discuss your request if there are any concerns raised so that access can be given safely. We’re not sure how many people will ask for access all at once so there may be a wait, but we will do our best to get you online access as soon as we can.
Click here to download the form to request access.
The NHS App is a new way for patients to connect to the surgery and other NHS services. For example, you can:
Download it FREE from the Apple Store (Apple device) or the Google Play Store (Android device)
When you register in the app, there will be a series of checks to confirm your identity. You WILL NOT have to go into your surgery to register if you have a passport or photo card driving licence.
The process to set up your NHS login is explained in the following video:
You can read more and access the NHS login help centre at NHS login.
You can choose to log in using fingerprint recognition, facial recognition or username and password of your choice.
You can now also access NHS App services from the browser on your desktop or laptop computer.
Click here to download the Do more with the NHS App Leaflet.
Click here to download the NHS App Quick start Guide Leaflet
31st May 1pm - 3pm
Supporting Families Project
Support Line available to all - Call 0191 477 4545 or 0330 174 3174
Welcome to Safe Space Alnwick
Having any of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have cancer. In fact, most people with these symptoms will not have cancer. This page cannot list all possible cancer symptoms. Therefore if you are unsure or concerned that you might have cancer, please contact us.
Links provided all point to official NHS.UK advice for your information only. If you are unsure, please contact us.
These general links might also be helpful:
Do you have a baby or young child? Or are you a young person?
There is a new website and App which has been launched to improve the health and wellbeing of babies, children and young people throughout North East and North Cumbria.
Click here to visit the website.
Or download the App from App Store or Google Play today!
This is a brilliant resource to use for advice, support and information.
Please click here to download information on mental health support for veterans provided by the Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service.
Please click here for for the latest information for referrers.
The ICS has funded access to premium version of the smokefree app for any smoker in the North East and North Cumbria wanting to stop smoking.
The app has a number of key features:
The free access to the premium Smokefree app can be gained by going directly to the Get Me Smoke Free website.
***Please note downloading directly from the app store will not give you access to the premium version.
Periods of sickness < 7 days
You do not need a Sick Note if you are off sick for seven calendar days or less, because you can self-certify your leave for this time. Click here to download a self-certification template which you can use to inform your employer of your situation.
Periods of sickness > 7 days
A sick note must be signed by a doctor, but you do not always need to see a GP in person to get one.
It depends on:
If you need a sick note/MED3, contact the practice. Our receptionists will book a phone consultation in the first instance.
How do I get my test results?
The doctor or nurse will tell you when your results are expected to be available.
If you have a blood test or a specimen sample taken, then the majority of these results are available within 7 days.
If you have online access, you will be able to view your own results once they have been filed by a clinician, if you wish to get online access, please speak to a member of our Reception Team.
Some clinicians may text you following your results being received.
If you have not heard about your results within 7 days, please contact our Reception Team. Our reception staff are only able to give out information documented on the result by a clinician. They are unable to advise you what a test may mean or give advice on any medical issues relating to the test result.
Other investigations such as X-ray or hospital test results often take a little longer than 7 days, so please allow at least two weeks before contacting us for your results.
We will only accept urine specimens at reception which has been requested by a clinician at Coquet Medical Group.
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to people in their 70s.
The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.
The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you do go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter.
Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. Shingles is also fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.
It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles. The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.
Who can have the shingles vaccination?
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are aged 70 or 78 years old.
In addition, anyone who was previously eligible (born on or after 2 September 1942) but missed out on their shingles vaccination remains eligible until their 80th birthday.
When you're eligible, you can have the shingles vaccination at any time of year.
The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 or over because it seems to be less effective in this age group.
We now have another vaccine (shingrix) for patients with a weakened system which is given in 2 doses 8 weeks apart.
Are you a carer? We hold a register for carers on our practice computer system.
If you would like us to add your details please let our receptionist know. Your GP or health professional can also refer you to Carers Northumberland for information, emotional and sometimes practical support. Or you can self refer by ringing : 01670 320 035
All UK residents have the right within the NHS to be registered with a doctor. We are pleased to register anyone who lives within the practice area.
Please visit the surgery and talk to our receptionists. It would be a great help if you could bring with you your up-to-date medical card. If you cannot find it, do not despair. Simply see our receptionist and ensure you know the following details:
Please note you must provide the name of your previous doctor. If you do not know, or cannot remember, please contact your previous surgery for the necessary information. We need this information to be able to register you with our practice.
To register as a new patient, you need to complete two forms for each person wishing to register and return them to the surgery once completed. To save you time, you can download both forms here.
Our catchment area is displayed below. New patients can check with reception to see if they fall within our area.
We are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. To support this aim we have created a Patient Participation Group (PPG) within the Practice that consults with patient volunteers who have elected to join our Patient Reference Group (PRG).
Please click here to download our PPG Terms of Reference.
If you wish to join the CMG Patient Group and are happy for us to contact you occasionally by email, please complete our Online Form
If you wish to join the CMG Patient Group and are happy for us to contact you occasionally by email, please complete our Online Form
Download the minutes of our latest Patient Participation Group Meeting:
Dr Alison Oxby - Partner
MBBS MRCGP DFFP LOCIUT FinDoc - Registered 1989 at London University
Dr Oxby has been a partner in the Practice since 2004. She is based at Broomhill Health Centre. She has extensive experience in contraception and women's health issues. She is the Practice lead on contraception, HRT and sexual health issues within the Practice and holds weekly sexual health clinics. She is currently the Practice prescribing lead working closely with the Practice Medicines Manager.
Her interests outside the Practice are music, singing, travel, cooking and being mum to two young boys.
Dr. Katherine McConnachie - Partner
MBBS MRCGP DFSRH - Registered 2010 at Newcastle University
Graduated from Newcastle University 2010, Durham and Tees Valley GP training scheme, completing training in 2018. Before joining CMG, she worked for Skerne Medical Group in Sedgefield. Interests include skin, joint injections and women's health. Personal interests - running, hiking and time with her family.
Dr Ben Burville - Partner
Dr Burville qualified as a General Practitioner from Sheffield University in 2003. He has been a GP Trainer and NHS Appraiser since 2010.
Following on from his House Officer role he went straight onto the Northumbria Scheme for GP Training. His interests in the Practice include child and adolescent medicine, diabetic care and minor operations.
He is a married, family man who enjoys a range of sports and is passionate about wildlife. When not at work he can often be found diving in the North Sea off the Farne Island. He has been involved in numerous BBC wildlife programmes - see www.youtube.com/bburville
Dr Jamie Willey - Partner
Dr Willey qualified from Newcastle University in 2008. He went on to complete his General Practice training in the North East and has been working in the area since completing this in 2013. He has a special interest in the management of drug and alcohol problems and also in Learning disability.
He enjoys music and plays in a band. Also he loves spending time in Northumberland hiking, fishing and playing golf.
Dr Katherine Carman - Partner
Dr Carman qualified from Newcastle University in 2009. She then did her post-graduate and GP training throughout Northumberland and came to join Coquet Medical Group in 2014. She is now based at Amble Health Centre but covers Broomhill as well.
Dr Carman is interested in all aspects of General Practice. She runs the postnatal clinic and is involved with the Northumberland Breastfeeding Strategic Group.
Outside of work Dr Carman can be found mountain biking, fell running with her dogs and spending time with her young family.
Dr. Julia Lamberth - GP
MBBS MRCGP DRCOG registered 2015 at Newcastle University
Having graduated from Newcastle University in 2015 Dr Lamberth went straight into GP training, qualifying in 2020. All her training posts have been in the North East, including one 6 month placement at Coquet Medical Group in 2018. Special interests include palliative care, elderly care and women's health. She works predominantly at Amble Health Centre.
Outside the practice she is interested in fitness, travel and baking.
Currently on maternity leave until April 2023
Dr Mike Cannon - GP
Dr Alastair Dodsworth - GP
In post from 1st September 2022
Dr Ruth Gertig - GP
In post from 13th February 2023
Lynne Beattie - Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Fay Stephenson - Advanced Nurse Practitioner
In post from 6th March 2023
Michelle James - Lead Practice Nurse
Fiona Smith - Practice Nurse
Robyn Sykes - Practice Nurse
Katie Elliott - Practice Nurse
Jo Thompson - Practice Nurse
Lynsey Terry - Nurse Associate
Kym Stewart - Lead Health Care Assistant
Lucy Wintrip - Health Care Assistant
Julie Wingfield - Health Care Assistant
Maria Carroll - Trainee Nurse Associate
Nikita McMullen - Health Care Assistant
In post since 5th December 2022
Coleen Common - Health Care Assistant
Lisa Scott - Practice Manager
Rebecca Curtis - Assistant Practice Manager
Lorraine Conroy - Medicines Manager
Carla Robertson - Assets & Project Manager
Lauren Tailford - Practice Assistant
Secretary Team
Gemma Dunn - Team Lead
Rebecca Dewson
Dawn Farrell
Administration team
Ann Marie Heatley - Long Term Condition Administrator / IIF Care Coordinator
Linda Harding - Long Term Condition Administrator
Lesley Griffiths - Long Term Condition Administrator / IIF Care Coordinator
Caitlin Holmes - IIF Care Coordinator and Secretary
Jennifer Marshall - Clinical Secretary
Gayle Modral-Walker - Summariser
Denise Rowell - Admin Assistant District Nursing/Podiatry/Health Visiting
Reception Team
Marie Morrison - Reception Manager
Jane Black
Denise McLay
Christine Shanks - Reception team and Secretary
Tracy Taylor-Jones
Dawn Wade
Sarah McDermott
Laura Green
Sophia Lillico
Kelly Stewart
Rachael Tench
Angie Jessiman
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working in this practice in the last full financial year was £85,499 before Tax and National insurance. This is for six full time GPs, three part time GPs.
Download the latest edition of our Practice Newsletter:
It is a contractual requirement that all GP Practices undertake the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT).
The FFT is a feedback tool, that helps us to improve our services.
Would you recommend us? Tell us what you think about our service by completing our FFT.
Click here to download the Friends and Family Test Results for the period December 2022 to March 2023.
All members of the Primary Health Care Team must adhere to a strict policy on confidentiality and are specifically trained in confidentiality issues. Breach of confidentiality could result in dismissal.
As a training practice medical records may be viewed by other professionals who are involved with your care, under strict confidential agreements. If you object to this, you must inform us so that your notes may be marked.
Patients can request to discuss sensitive issues with a receptionist in private.
We comply with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to keep your medical records private and secure.
Click here to download our Practice GDPR Privacy Notice.
In 2018, the national data opt-out was introduced, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs.
Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by clicking on "Your Health" in the NHS App, and selecting "Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning".
More information is available from the NHS Digital website.
How the NHS and care services use your information
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.
The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and provided to other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for instance to help with:
This may only take place when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. Confidential patient information about your health and care is only used like this where allowed by law.
Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.
You have a choice about whether you want your confidential patient information to be used in this way. If you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. If you do choose to opt out your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care.
To find out more or to register your choice to opt out, please visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters. On this web page you will:
You can also find out more about how patient information is used at:
https://www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients/ (which covers health and care research); and
https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/what-you-need-know (which covers how and why patient information is used, the safeguards and how decisions are made)
You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Data being used or shared for purposes beyond individual care does not include your data being shared with insurance companies or used for marketing purposes and data would only be used in this way with your specific agreement.
Both Health Centres provide access for disabled patients, having ramps at the main entrances, automatic front doors, lowered reception desks and disabled toilets. We have moving signs call boards and a tannoy system to aid patients who have impaired hearing and/or vision. If you encounter any difficulties when visiting us please do not hesitate to ask any member of staff for help.
Interpreting services can be arranged for patients if necessary. If you feel you need this service, please ask the receptionist for details when making you appointment.
Coquet Medical Group expects all staff. patients and visitors to be treated fairly with equal consideration and respect.
All staff, patients and visitors have a responsibility to ensure that no one is disadvantaged due to their gender, colour, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, disability, religious or political beliefs and sexual orientation.
Discrimination on unlawful or unfair grounds will not be tolerated.
All staff are given equality and diversity training.
All staff adhere to our Infection Prevention and Control Policy and attend annual staff training to help eliminate infections. Patients are requested to help by using the hand gel dispensers at the main entrances when entering and leaving the premises. If you have any suggestions or comments regarding our infection prevention and control you may leave these in our suggestions box.
All patients have the right to be accompanied by a person of their choice when attending for an intimate examination. Your doctor or nurse may suggest that a chaperone be present during an intimate examination. An appropriately trained chaperone can be provided by the Practice if requested.
If you wish to make a formal complaint, please do so AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, ideally within a matter of a few days. This will enable us to establish what happened more easily.
If doing that is not possible, your complaint should be submitted within 12 months of the incident that caused the problem; or within 12 months of discovering you have a problem.
Our Complaints Procedure can be downloaded here (This document is also available from reception).
You should address your complaint in writing to the Practice Manager.
You can also download a leaflet which explains how to complain or give feedback about NHS services.
We will acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days and aim to have fully investigated within 10 working days of the date it was received. If we expect it to take longer we will explain the reason for the delay and tell you when we expect to finish. Once the investigation is completed we will be in a position to offer an explanation in writing or convene a meeting.
When we look into your complaint we aim to:
We keep strictly to the rules of medical confidentiality. If you are not the patient, but are complaining on their behalf, you must have their permission to do so. An authority signed by the person concerned will be needed, unless they are incapable (because of illness or infirmity) of providing this.
Free confidential and independent support is available from:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Freepost: RLTC-SGHH-EGXT
North of Tyne PALS
The Old Stables
Grey's Yard
Morpeth NE61 1QD
Tel: 0800 032 0202
If you feel you cannot raise your complaint with us you may wish to contact Healthwatch Northumberland:
Independent Complaints Advocacy Northumberland
Adapt North East
Burn Lane
Hexham NE46 3HN
Tel: 03332 408468
healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome you may refer the matter to:
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London SW1P 4QP
Tel: 0345 0154033
ombudsman.org.uk
Amble Health Centre
Percy Drive
Amble
Morpeth
NE65 0HD
Telephone: 01670 760 229 (Reception HUB)
Dedicated Prescription Line: 01670 570 162
Out of Hours Telephone: 111
Broomhill Health Centre - Reception HUB
Hadstone Road
South Broomhill
Morpeth
NE65 9SF
Telephone: 01670 760229
Dedicated Prescription Line: 01670 570 162
Out of Hours Telephone: 111
© Powered by Help2Change