Longroyde Surgery

APPOINTMENT DEMAND AND WAITING TIME: The practice is seeing an increase in the number of patients registering here either due to the new housing developments or movement from other practices.

We are also seeing an increase in the number of patients attending the surgery and the demand for appointments has increased.  This is having an impact on appointment waiting times when attending for an appointment. It also means that you may have to wait longer to get an appointment with a particular clinician. We still offer urgent same day appointments, but you may not get to see your preferred clinician.

We are constantly looking at ways to manage the demand and pressure on the surgery.  We have recently undergone internal renovation work to make an extra consulting room.  Whilst this gives us another space to consult, we still only have the same number of clinicians and staff.  We are, however, reviewing our appointments system so that we can maximise the use of this new room.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS: A few months ago, we changed our repeat prescribing process and employed the services of a pharmacist.  This was to take some of the administrative workload from the GPs due to increased appointment demand and workload. Since the change, we have had comments and feedback about the turnround time.  Whilst initially, we acknowledge that there were delays between ordering and processing, this has now been resolved. The turnround time for repeat prescriptions is 2 working days so a prescription ordered at 5.00pm on Monday would be ready by 5.00pm on Wednesday. A prescription ordered at 5.00pm on Friday would be ready by 5.00pm the following Tuesday. The 2-working day turnround is not a change to our previous policy.  We have always stated this timescale on our posters and website; however, patients have been fortunate that on many occasions their request was processed quicker.  Now that we use the pharmacist to manage this workload, we ask that you are patient and acknowledge that the request will take 2-working days.

MISSED APPOINTMENTS: Sadly, we have seen an increase in the number of patients who have not attended a booked appointment. We appreciate that there may be occasions when it is not possible to let us know however, there are many ways to cancel appointments including online, via the NHS app or by contacting reception. We provide reminders by text message which includes the option to cancel. 

We thank you for your understanding.

The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

We are now booking flu vaccine appointments.

Please contact reception to arrange your appointment. 

If you are eligible, we will have already purchased a vaccine for you.

• Who is eligible for the Flu vaccine?
  Aged 65 or over
  Have certain long-term health conditions
  Are pregnant
  Live in a care home
  Are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive
  a carer's allowance
  Live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  Children aged 2 or 3 years
  Children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

Access to Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) 
“Tirzepatide, commonly known as Mounjaro, is a new treatment approved by the NHS 
to help manage obesity and improve related health conditions. It is a weekly injection 
that mimics hormones in your gut to help you feel full for longer and manage blood 
sugar levels It is currently available to people who have:

A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more. 
And have, at least 4 of the following health conditions:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- abnormal blood fats
If you are from a South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or AfricanCaribbean background, the BMI is 37.5 instead of 40.

We cannot prescribe Mounjaro from our practice right now, or refer to a service in 
Calderdale that can prescribe. 

We understand patients who meet the NHS criteria are keen to understand their 
options. 
We know who is eligible for this treatment. This is only a small number of patients.
When this treatment is available in Calderdale we will be contacting eligible patients 
to discuss further. You do not need to contact us.

Further information can be found at West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership website: 

https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/our-priorities/medicines-and-prescribing/medicines-information/questions-and-answers-about-tirzepatide-mounjaro

If you're living with obesity or weight-related health issues, we understand that the 
journey can be emotional, frustrating, and difficult - especially when services feel out 
of reach. If you do not meet the current criteria and want to lose weight the Calderdale 
Better Living Service may be able to help you. This is for people who have a BMI of 
27.5 or more. 
Please visit Calderdale Council website for further information about Better Living 
Service. https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/better-living-service/lose-weight-eat-well

The NHS website also has advice on making changes to your lifestyle to help you lose 
weight. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/tips-to-help-you-lose-weight/

Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.

Find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Following the installation of our new telephone system, please could you take a few minutes to complete the survey below. It is anonymous and you wont be asked for any personal information.