Homepage
Government Unlocking 19th July - Message to patients
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
We have all heard the good news that the vast majority of restrictions are due to be lifted on July 19th, and this is great news for our local businesses and venues. We wish them all the success in getting back on their feet and back to normal.
But due to the high levels of Covid infections in our area, we as a Surgery will be maintaining our current processes.
This means that we ask if you could please continue to wear a face covering when attending the surgery (unless you are exempt). Practice staff will also continue to wear face coverings.
Appointments with GPs and ANP's will still be on a telephone triage basis before being allocated to a face to face appointment if this is needed.
We understand that this may be frustrating, but we are still seeing a high number of positive Covid cases every day and we need to carry on protecting or staff and patients whilst in our Practice environment.
We are hopeful that this will be a short term decision and we will keep you updated on any changes.
Finally, we would like to say a huge 'THANK YOU' to all of our patients and families for your continued support throughout this pandemic.
Welcome to Darwen HealthLink
Welcome to your new website, available for your convenience. The website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.
Serving You
Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.
Partners in Care
Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.
Statement of Purpose
Click on the link below to download a copy of our Statement of Purpose:
Information regarding your COVID vaccination certification.
We are unable to issue this certificate at the practice. Please see the Gov.uk website for further information.
Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHS app, which is also valuable for accessing your health records and ordering repeat prescriptions.
The NHS app can be downloaded from here for iPhone or here for android.
Alternatively, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you.
Kind regards Darwen Healthlink
Message to all patients regarding Phone lines and Emails
Please be aware that emails are not routinely monitored out of office hours.
If your email is urgent but is sent out of hours it will not be dealt with until the next working day.
Type 1 Opt-out form (Data Sharing)
This link from NHS Digital explains why data is shared, it contains their transparency & privacy notices for doing so and also points to links where the patient can opt out if they want to:
Data sharing with NHS Digital will start on 1st September 2021.
(new revised date)
If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by returning this form to your GP practice by 1st September (new revised date) to allow time for processing it. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this. You can send the form by post to Darwen Healthlink, James Street West, Darwen, BB3 1PY or by email to the practice darwen.healthlink@nhs.net or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you. Please DO NOT call the practice for a form.
Paper copies of this form will also be available at reception for those who do not have access to online services. There is a box for patients to put their completed forms into and then our administration staff will code the opt out accordingly.
Appointments
We are currently clinically triaging all patients and a face to face appointment will be offered if clinically necessary, this decision will be made by your GP/ANP during your telephone call.
Pre bookable telephone consultations can still be booked and urgent on the day tel appointments are still available each day.
Thankyou for your understanding
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
For more information please click on the image above
Flu vaccinations 2020: How did we do?
Have Your Say
NHS Friends and Family
Keep up to date with the latest practice news
Newsletter
To receive future editions of the newsletter straight to your inbox sign up below.