Welcome to Valley Medical Centre's Website
The Valley Medical Centre is home to the Stocksbridge Medical Group which was formed in 1988 and provides medical services for the local community in Stocksbridge and Deepcar as well as nearby villages.
COVID-19 TIER 3 ALERT LEVEL
COVID-19 VACCINES - UPPER DON
We are pleased to inform you that our Covid -19 vaccines will be available for the Over 80s on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th January at Valley Medical Centre. The second dose will be 3 weeks later. The vaccine has a short shelf life so we cannot change these dates. At present we do not know any future dates. The practice will contact you to make an appointment.
All the surgeries will be exceptionally busy on these 2 days with reduced manpower. Please only contact us on those days with urgent requests that cannot wait until the week after.
We are expecting the weather to be cold so please wrap up warm as there could be queues. Please ensure you are wearing a mask. It is essential that you arrive close to your time and not before as you may have to wait outside to ensure social distancing. After your vaccine you will need to wait for a 15 minute observation period, this will be inside.
It is vital that we carry out this vaccination program to protect our most vulnerable patients. We cannot transport this vaccine to patients homes. Therefore if you have an elderly relative or neighbour who is eligible for the vaccine, please let them know it is available on these dates and help them arrange transport.
We will be vaccinating the over 75s on Wed/Thu/Fri next week.
Valley Medical Centre would like to invite you to join DoctorLink.
We have been looking at how we can improve access to Practice services; DoctorLink is our new online service where you can access advice and appointments on line.
Registration is simple and you can register here:
app.doctorlink.com/valleymedicalcentre/register
For all urgent appointments, we ask that you undertake a symptom assessment through DoctorLink.
The symptom checker will ask you a number of questions to help to identify your problem.
The outcome of your assessment will direct you to the right treatment, whether emergency care, your GP, nurse or self care.
If your outcome indicates that an appointment is required, you simply click on the request appointment link.
Once the request has been submitted, you will then be contacted by the Practice Team, to arrange an appointment within the identified timeframe (as outlined in the outcome of your symptom checker).
The information you provide will be shared with our clinical team (where appropriate) and will assist in providing robust information of your problem to the required clinical team member prior to your appointment.
You can even download the App:
For the most up to date advice on coronavirus please visit the website:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
For guidance on shielding, please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/.../guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
To reduce your chances of catching COVID-19 and reduce pressure on your local GP practice during this busy time, appointments will be carried out over the phone unless there is a clinical need for you to come into the practice. This will help minimise risk while continuing to ensure people get the care and advice they need.
Need support from a mental health service?
Click here for more information.
Useful Links for Support & Advice during Covid-19
COVID-19: Information and support for our 13-19 year old patients
COVID-19: Information and support for our adult patients
COVID-19: Information and support for families
Coronavirus and your Wellbeing:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
10 tips if you are worried about Coronavirus:
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
How to look after your Mental Health during Coronavirus
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus
Elefriends - Supportive Online Community
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/support-community-elefriends/
Sick Notes / Isolation Notes
If you are at home with Covid-19 symptoms you do not need a sick note for your employer. A digital isolation note can be obtained without contacting a GP. Visit www.111.nhs.uk/isolation-note.
If you require a sick note (GP Fit Note/ Med Cert 3) from a GP for an existing health condition to submit to your employer to receive sick pay, please specifically check with your employer that this is still required because some employers have waived this requirement due to the pressure on GP's at this time.
Results of 2019 IPSOS Mori Poll
This patient survey is carried out independently of the practice and randomly with our patients. We are very pleased with this year's results and would like to share these with you.
Please visit www.gp-patient.co.uk
