Please be aware that due to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II the practice will be closed on Monday the 19^th of September.

Whilst the surgery is closed you can call 111 for medical advice, or in the event of an emergency call 999.

DISPENSARY OPENING TIMES

To order any medication requests over the phone you must call between 9am and 1pm.

The dispensary can be reached directly on 01538 704210.

We are accepting paper prescriptions.

All repeat prescriptions require three working days to process.

Collections are only available at the following times

You can also order your medication through using online services or the NHS app, please speak to reception for more information.

We are introducing an initiative to help people to find the most appropriate source of help when they call our practice or pop in to make an appointment. This means that our specially trained reception staff may ask questions about why appointments are required. You are not obliged to answer the questions they ask, however by doing so we can make sure that those people who really need to see a GP can see them as soon as possible.

Virtually everyone who calls to make an appointment asks to see a GP, but very often help will be available more quickly from other highly skilled medical professionals such as nurses or pharmacists, or from other services, including the voluntary sector, they can support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs. Our trained reception staff will be able to offer you the most appropriate help using the range of information they have access to. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our Reception staff.

We are currently still awaiting our delivery of flu vaccinations. The surgery will be in touch with all eligible patients to arrange an appointment once we have vaccine available.

Please do not contact the surgery.

This year make sure you are protected from seasonal flu.

Patients in the high risk categories will be eligible to get their FREE flu vaccine with us to protect you from seasonal flu.

High risk categories include:

• Adults 65 and over
• Pregnant women
• People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age) such as: 
  • Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
  • Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
  • Diabetes
  • Spleen problems, for example sickle cell disease or if you’ve had your spleen removed
  • A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
  • Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)

The Surgery will notify patients to arange an appoinment once we have flu vaccines in stock.

Individuals in the 50 to 64-year-old age group are also eligible for a free flu vaccination, but will be offered appointments after the most vulnerable cohort.  Alternatively you can contact a local pharmacy to book your flu vaccination.

Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can help stop it before it starts.

Women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are eligible for screening. You will be invited for routine screening every three years if you are aged 25-49, and every five years if you are aged 50-64. Those registered as male will need to request an appointment from their GP or a local sexual health clinic.

Encourage those you love to get screened if they are overdue a test. You can call the surgery to book an appointment or to discuss any concerns you may have with a member of our team.

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 Mission Statement

To put patients first offering a friendly supportive service

To deliver high quality, evidence based care and health promotion to our patients

To deliver a safe, effective and responsive service

To provide the right care by the right person to each patient

To support our staff to grow

For an overview of general information about the Surgery, please click the link to our practice leaflet below. 

You may have heard in the media about a data collection programme being undertaken by NHS Digital. The General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) is a more efficient and secure system of data collection which aims to support health and care planning and research.

Our practice will continue to share data with NHS Digital. If you would like more information on how and what data is shared head to the NHS Digital website. There is also information on this page for those wishing to opt out.

Due to increasing concern from patients and GP practices, data sharing with NHS Digital under the new directions has been paused, providing more time for patients to review the changes ahead of any future data collections.

We encourage anyone needing proof of COVID vaccination to call 119 or visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/get-digital-covid-pass/

In exceptional circumstances the surgery will arrange for patient funded letters and or other documentation.  These are not part of NHS services and as such are charged to the patient as follows:

• Standard fee of £50
• If required within 24 hours - £100

Any other written requirements will be charged at the GP partner's discretion.

We want to hear from our patients at Alton Surgery. During these unusual times your feedback is incredibly important and will help us to better deliver care services to all our patients.

If you have any comments about the care you have received or feedback on any of our services please do let us know. You can leave a review over on the NHS website here.

Feeling unwell? Tackle those symptoms as soon as they strike. No need for a GP appointment that you may not need. Staffordshire GP Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard explains more:

Did you know that your pharmacist can help with UTIs? They can offer advice on things like what can help you get better and what is the best painkiller to take. They’ll also be able to tell you if you need to see a GP. Find more info here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/

Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet will mean that you can fight minor illnesses.Talk to a pharmacist for more advice.

If your baby has Bronchiolitis, here is some helpful information to help you care for them at home. Parents who are concerned that symptoms are worsening should go to111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app