Information

Changes to Smear recalls

Please see the attached LINK explaining the changes to Smear recalls from 3 years to 5 years for women 25 – 49.

 

Also the NHS is moving towards digital communication for cervical screening recalls using the NHS App, text messages and email but these may go to Spam/Junk.  Letters will still be sent as a back-up.

 

We encourage ALL patients to download the NHS App and enable notifications. NHS App uses notifications to tell you when you have a new message.

 

How to manage your notification preferences in the NHS App

  1. Log in to the NHS App.
  2. Select the Account icon in the top corner.
  3. Select Notifications.
  4. Follow the link to your device settings.

 

Turning your notifications on or off may take up to 24 hours to take effect.

 

If you use the NHS App on multiple devices, you will need to allow notifications on each device

Dr Pace

As many of our patients know Dr Pace has been away from work due to his son’s serious illness.  Happily he is making a good recovery and so we are pleased to let you know that Dr Pace will be returning to work gradually over the coming months.

There will be NO pre bookable appointments with Dr Pace for the foreseeable future and his working schedule will be variable and subject to change.  Our reception team will not be able to take ANY messages for Dr Pace or book any advance appointments for Dr Pace and his availability will be limited for a number of months.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Weight Loss Injections - Mounjaro

Whilst these are approved for use by the NHS; GP Practices are not currently able to offer them to patients.  If this changes we will contact patients who meet the eligibility criteria direct.

The current criteria is:

A BMI over 40,

and  A diagnosis of four out of the following five conditions:
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart and vascular disease
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnoea

Please do not contact us at this time or make an appointment to discuss as we are unable to provide these injections

Pharmacy First - Immediate Help from Pharmacies

Patients can now access direct help for 7 conditions from local pharmacies.  This is a new service and the pharmacist may be able to provide medications as part of the service and save you having to visit the GP.

 

The conditions that the pharmacy can now help with are:

 

Clinical pathway

Age range

Acute Otitis Media*

1 to 17 years

Impetigo

1 year and over

Infected insect bites

1 year and over

Shingles       

18 years and over

Sinusitis

12 years and over

Sore throat

5 years and over

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections

Women 16-64 years

* Distance Selling Pharmacies will not complete consultations for Acute Otitis Media.

Hospital Contact Details

For all queries regarding outpatient appointments, results, follow up and appointment delays at hospitals please contact the appropriate hospital direct.

 

If you are unable to contact the relevant department each hospital has a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) specifically to assist patients and their relatives.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital Trust (MTW)

Patients and relatives are welcome to contact us by telephone on: 01892 632953 or 01622 224960.  If there is no-one available to answer your call, please leave a message on our voicemail facility and we will contact you as soon as possible.  Alternatively you can email us on mtw-tr.palsoffice@nhs.net.

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/talk-to-us/patient-advice-liaison-service-pals/

 

East Sussex Hospital Trust (ESHT)

Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)
Eastbourne DGH
Level 2 main entrance (turn immediate left on entry, the office is first on the left)

0300 131 4784 or 0300 131 5309

esh-tr.patientexperience@nhs.net

Open to in-person visits:
9am to 3pm – Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)

https://www.esht.nhs.uk/service/patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

 

University Hospital; Brighton (BSUH)

 

Royal Sussex County Hospital, Sussex Eye Hospital and Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital

01273 664511

01273 664973

uhsussex.pals@nhs.net

Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00 pm

 

Princess Royal Hospital

You can call us or ask at the main reception for directions to the office.

01444 448678

uhsussex.pals@nhs.net

Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/support/pals/

Exams and Sickness Certificates for Children

It should be noted that GPs are not required to provide sick notes for schoolchildren. When children are absent from school owing to illness, schools may request a letter from a parent or guardian, and this is no different during an exam period. However, children who have missed exams due to illness are frequently told by schools that a note from a doctor is required; but there is no requirement for this to be provided by a GP.

Aside from the fact that parents/guardians are responsible for excusing their children from school, GPs cannot provide retrospective sickness certification. When a child suffers from a long-term condition, any certification will be provided by the responsible specialist.

The GPC has sought and received confirmation from the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator that Awarding Organisations make no requirement for pupils to obtain a medical certificate in support of their application for special consideration. Students are asked for information in support of their application, but this may take the form of a statement by the school.

The Joint Council for Qualifications has confirmed that as far as they are concerned, if a student was absent from an examination as a result of illness and has the support of the school or centre to be absent, special consideration will be granted on that basis. Awarding organisations do not insist that medical proof is provided.

Please click the link to download copies of the appropriate letters which can be given to the school.
Page last reviewed: 15 July 2025
Page created: 20 December 2023