Patient Update: Clinical System Merger and downtime on 30th September
On Monday, 30th September our clinical systems will be down for an important update.
This will combine the two clinical systems of Jesmond Health Partnership and Gosforth Memorial and is the last step in the merger into one combined practice.
From 3.30 pm on Monday, September 30th, all clinical systems will be frozen, and we will only be able to deal with urgent requests.
Here’s a timeline of everything you need to know:
Monday, 23rd September – NHS App temporarily deativated from 6 pm
Because the NHS App connects to our clinical systems, it has to be disabled before the merger can take place.
This is to stop changes to your information, prescription orders or other requests being lost.
The NHS App will be available again after the system merge is completed on Tuesday, 1st October.
For repeat prescriptions or another admin request between 26th September and 1st October, please use askmyGP.
Monday, 30th September – Clinical System frozen from 3.30 pm
From 3.30 pm on Monday, September 30th, we will not have access to the clinical systems at any of our four locations.
We will only be able to deal with urgent issues from 3.30 pm on Monday, 30th September.
You will still be able to contact us using askmyGP or by calling 0191 285 1119, but our teams will not have access to the clinical systems, your health records or be able to book appointments.
You can also use any of the following options for your healthcare needs:
Here’s what you get help with:
- Earache/ear infections (aged 1-17)
- Impetigo/skin infections (1 year +)
- Infected insect bites (1 year +)
- Shingles (Aged 18+)
- Sinusitis (Aged 12+)
- Sore throats (5 years +)
- Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, or UTIs (Women aged 16-64)
Over 10,000 pharmacies – 95% of all those in England – have signed up.
Remember, you don’t need an appointment. You can visit any Pharmacy, and they are often open when we are closed, especially over Bank Holidays and weekends.
For more medical help when the practice is closed, you can use NHS 111.
By visiting 111.NHS.uk or by calling 111, you can:
- Get help and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Check your symptoms and get advice on conditions and medication.
- Find self-help resources and links.
- Find out what services are available near you.
- Be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist, or GP.
- Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one.
You should only ever call 999 or go to Accident and Emergency if it is a life-threatening situation.
Tuesday 1st October - Clinical Systems Merged
The two clinical systems will now be combined into one.
This means that our teams at all 4 sites will have the same access to all patient records.
From here, it is business as normal.
All patients can continue to use askmyGP to contact our Doctors. All phone numbers will remain the same.
If you were registered at Gosforth Memorial, please continue to call 0191 285 1119 to speak to the team.
For patients initially registered in Jesmond (at 17 and 200 Osborne Road, or 5 Osborne Avenue), you can call 0191 281 4588.
Please be aware that we are always busy after any temporary closure - whether it's for training, systems updates or bank holidays.
Please be patient. If you can, please use askmyGP to contact our Doctors, order repeat prescriptions or admin requests.
askmyGP is quick and easy to use. You can send a request from your computer, smartphone or tablet. There is nothing to download or install; you can choose who you want to help you and how.
Using askmyGP saves time for you, and makes it easier for people unable to use the internet to get through on the phone.
Tuesday 1st October - NHS App reactivated
Shortly after the clinical system merge is complete, the NHS App will be available again.
If you initially registered for an NHS account using photo ID, you should be able to start using the app again straight away.
However, if you did not use photo ID when initially registered for digital access, we may need to set up your access again.
Please allow some time for the NHS app to be reactivated, but if you are aren't able to login once the system is back up, here's what to do:
- Please don't call. We expect the lines to be very busy and we can't set up access over the phone.
- Make sure you have a valid form of photo ID:
- Passport
- Driving License
- Birth Certificate (if requesting access for a child's records)
- Student ID
- Residence permit
- Download and complete the online access request form.
- Hand the form it at any of our Reception desks, or it email the form to nneccg.gmmc@nhs.net.)
- We will then set up access for you. We may need to re-request photo ID, but we will contact you if that is the case.
This is the final step in merging JHP and Gosforth Memorial into one practice. Thanks to everyone for their patience during this process.