We are currently experiencing very high staff absence due to the impact of government isolation rules. Please only contact the surgery if it is absolutely necessary and cannot wait. It is inevitable that if you do contact the practice at this time you will experience extended time waiting on the phone. We would ask you to be patient and respectful with our staff at this challenging time. Thank you
ISSUES WITH PHONE LINES
We are aware of an issue with our phone lines which is resulting in extended waiting times and also some issues when you are in the telephone queue.
This is due to the impact of the current pandemic and the different ways in which we are having to work to ensure we remain Covid Secure and continue to protect the health of you and our staff.
We have seen an increase in the use of the telephone both in incoming calls and outgoing calls. This increase is 4 times the usual activity on the phones.
Please bare with us.
We have escalated this issue to our telecomms provider and BT and we have been told its being worked on as a priority. We also understand this is an issue affecting many other GP Practices in Sheffield too.
We are looking at increasing the capacity of our telephone system as soon as we can and we are assured that the other issues we cannot deal with are being handled by our telecomms company and BT as a matter of urgency.
I completely appreciate how frustrating this is, its frustrating for us too, but I must please ask that you do not become frustrated with our Reception Team. They are working very hard in extremely challenging times and they are here to help you. Please respect that and ensure that you make the most of the time on the phone with the receptionist – let them concentrate on your queries and the reason why you called and not be distracted by your frustration or anger. They cannot do anything about how long you’ve waitied, or how many times you’ve called. Please know that we are aware of the issues you are experiencing and we are dealing with them as quickly as we can.
If you are calling for medical attention today make sure that you call before 10.30am, you will then get a call back from a clinician where they will triage your call. Most patients can be dealt with successfully over the phone. Not all patients need to be seen. The clinician will decide if you need to be seen after you have been clinically assessed over the phone.
You have a greater chance of a shorter wait on the phone if you call after 10.30am for anything else you need to speak to us about.
Kind Regards
Rachel Kershaw
Practice Manager
The NHS is open for business.
If you need medical help, the NHS is still here for you.
The practice is open and available for patients who need care
If you need medical help from us, contact us by phone on 0114 2456123 to be assessed. Please don’t turn up at the GP surgery without an appointment.
If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111 and they’ll direct you to the best place. A&E and the walk in centre are open for urgent and emergency health needs.
If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999. If you are told to go to the hospital, you must go to the hospital.
This Sheffield website includes information about the services available and when to use them, as well as information on waiting times for each of the urgent and emergency services in Sheffield – http://sheffieldurgentcare.co.uk” Click here to visit the website…
If you have Coronavirus symptoms:-
a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste
*Get a test now. Do not leave home for at least 10 days.*To get a test now, click this link
If you require a self-isolation letter do not contact the surgery, we do not supply these. Please click on this link for a self-isolation note..
