Frequently Asked Questions
Victoria Road Surgery
Non-urgent advice: Disclaimer
The following FAQs relate to common normal circumstances. During the current Coronavirus outbreak, some of these FAQ may not be applicable.
Can a GP visit my home to see me?
We work with a group of practices within the Primary Care Network (PCN) and visits are done by a paramedic.
How can I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment by using Patient Access, please do not email or fax an appointment request. If you are unable to book then call us on 0121 706 1129 / 6666.
Appointments can be booked 24 hours a day 7 days a week online or during surgery hours by telephone. To register for online appointments please fill out our online form or request access from the reception on your next visit.
How can I choose and book?
If you have been referred for a Choose and Book Appointment recently, you will need to book your own hospital appointment. You will have been sent the paperwork to do this within 2 weeks. Please contact the appointment centre details on section 2 on the enclosed paperwork and give details of both your reference number and password. You should then be able to arrange an appointment at your convenience at your chosen hospital.
Should you contact the e-referral service and there are no appointments available to book at your selected hospital, you will be put on that hospital waiting list for an appointment to be sent to you. It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure you receive an appointment. Please be assured that you are on the hospital waiting list and will be sent an appointment in due course.
How can I track my e-referral (Choose and Book)?
If you have not heard from the hospital with an appointment, please contact the hospital directly quoting your reference number and password. Please see the direct telephone numbers for the hospitals as below as they manage their own waiting lists.
Birmingham Eye Hospital – 0121 507 6712
Birmingham Treatment Centre – 0121 507 4151
Birmingham Women’s Hospital – 0121 627 2786
Children’s Hospital – 0121 333 9700
Solihull/Heartlands – 0121 424 1234
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital – 0121 685 4186
Queen Elizabeth Hospital – 0121 371 7066
To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:
Your date of birth
Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
Password – this will be on the last page of your letter
Please make sure to update your mobile number.
How do I request a repeat prescription?
If your long-term medication has been approved on a repeat prescription basis you can order in a number of ways:
In person – drop your computerised repeat slip in at reception having clearly marked the required items.
By post – send it to us remembering to enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you.
Online – register for our online services and order via the link at the top of this page
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) – see below
Please note that requests for medication cannot be accepted over the telephone unless a patient is housebound.
Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account. Patients using the postal service should allow longer.
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit the Practice in future. Instead your GP will send it electronically to the chemist you choose, saving you time. Please ask at reception and pick up a leaflet for details of the service or click on link https://www.patientaccess.com/
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.
How to provide feedback or complain?
We always try to give a good service but sometimes things go wrong. You can help us make changes by telling us about what is wrong and how you would like us to put it right.
You may want to complain about:
- A service
- Any action, attitude or behaviour of a member of staff which has affected you or someone close to you
Please get in touch with Julie Wallis, the Practice Manager, if you need help or support in using our procedure, or if you need the information in another format.
Patient Complaint Form – Third Party Consent
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Is my personal data safe? How do you process my personal data?
Victoria Road Surgery takes the protection of our patient’s data and privacy very seriously. we have gone to great lengths to ensure we are fully compliant with GDPR legislation.
What are the opening hours?
Monday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm
Telephone Times:
Monday 8:30am – 6:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 6:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm
What is a list of useful numbers and links?
List of useful links and phone numbers
QE Main switch – 0121 371 2000
QE Appointments – 0121 371 7070
QE Imagining Appointments – 012 1 371 4695
ROH Switch Appointments – 0121 685 4000, 0121 685 4186
Children’s main Appointments – 0121 333 9999, 0121 333 9700
Women – 0121 427 1377
Social services – 0121 303 1234
Birmingham Carer Hub – 0333 006 9711
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 8.45am-5.15pm Weds: 8.45am-7pm
Yewcroft / Quinton Carers Group – The Kenrick Centre Mill Farm Road
Monthly 2nd Wednesday of each month – Harborne 0300 304 5530 or Michelle Long 07392 319482
Longbridge Carers Group – Longbridge Health & Community Centre, 10 Park Way 0300 304 5530 or Michelle Long 07392 319482 Health & Wellbeing Carers Group Monthly 2nd Thursday of each month – Michelle Long 07392, 319482
Creative Support – 88 Bristol Road South Northfield
alt. Wednesdays 2-3pm – 0121 476 4349 Birmingham.hob@creativesupport.org.uk
Looking Forward – Term time only
(Parent and Carer Support Group) – 17 Victoria Road Harborne
Fortnightly, Thursdays 10-11:30 – info@cpmids.org.uk
National Autistic Society, Monday Thursday 10-4 Friday 9-3 – 0808 800 4104
National Dementia & Alzheimer’s Helpline – 0300 222 11 22
Ring and Ride – 0330 053 8135
Autism West Midlands – 0121 450 7582 / 0303 03 00 111
Silverline-Helpline for older people – 0800 4 70 80 90
Age UK – 0800 055 6112
Age Concern – 0121 362 3650
info@ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk
Citizens Advice – 0344 411 1444
National Debtline – 08088084000
CRUSE Bereavement Care – 0808 808 1677
Citizens Advice Bureau – 03444 111 444
MIND – 0300 123 3393
Dementia Awareness – 0121 466 6000
Samaritans – 0121 666 6644
Birmingham Healthy Minds – 0121 301 2525
What is our policy on zero tolerance?
At Victoria Road Surgery we treat our patients with respect and dignity and do not discriminate against them in any way, on the grounds of age, sex or sexual orientation, colour, race, ethnic background, disability, religion or religious or philosophical belief.
Physical violence and verbal abuse is growing concern. Doctors, nurses and other practice staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. We ask that you treat your doctor and practice staff properly, without violence or abuse. We strongly support the NHS policy on Zero Tolerance.
Any patient either phoning or attending the Practice who abuses any staff member or patient, be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever will risk removal from the Practice list.
What NHS services are available to a patient?
In addition to our normal surgeries we run a number of specialist clinics:
Antenatal – This clinic is run by the midwife. If you become pregnant you will be given an appointment at which the midwife will ask you a few questions and carry out some general health checks. You will be seen regularly throughout your pregnancy by the midwife. Ideally, at least 3 months before coming pregnant, you should stop smoking, start taking folic acid (available from pharmacies) and ensure that you are up to date with your Rubella vaccination.
Long Term Condition Management : Asthma or COPD / Coronary Heart Disease / High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) / Diabetes – Annual review appointments with either the doctor or practice nurse to offer patients advice and plan future care.
Child health and immunisation – All babies are invited for a 8 week postnatal medical check with a doctor. Immunisations start at 8 weeks; Immunisation information can be found on www.nhs.uk
Contraception/Family Planning – There are various forms of contraception and you can discuss the different options with either a practice nurse or a doctor.
Smoking Cessation – Counselling and medication is available to support your attempt to stop smoking. It is important to keep your appointments for the full course of treatment. For online information, advice and support contact www.smokefree.nhs.uk or call Smokefree 0300 123 1044
Health Check – You can book a NHS Health Check if you are aged between 40 to 74 and are not already on a disease register. Patients will be helped to better understand their risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney failure, and the adjustments required to their lifestyle to reduce such risk and ensure longer healthier lives.
Weight – We can help you to try and lose weight by offering a weight management programme in which medication may form part of the treatment.
Travel – If you are travelling abroad and think you may need to be vaccinated for Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio (DTP); Typhoid; Cholera or Hepatitis A&B please book an appointment with the practice nurse allowing at least 6 weeks prior to your departure date.
Minor Surgery – A doctor is able to excise a variety of superficial lesions.
Flu Vaccinations – Please ensure if you are in one of the ‘at risk’ groups you have a flu vaccination annually:
· 65 years or over
· Heart problems
· Asthma or COPD
· Kidney disease
· Liver disease
· Diabetes
· Stroke
· Impaired immunity
· Pregnant women
· Carer
What Non-NHS services are available to a patient?
The practice offers some services that are not covered by the NHS, for example certain travel vaccinations, medical reports and certificates and may attract a fee.
From 1st May 2016 the practice has to charge VAT on certain non-NHS fees. The policy suggested by HM Customs & Excise is that VAT is not chargeable on areas where this protects, maintains or restores the health of an individual. Therefore VAT of 20% will only apply to medical services primarily to enable a third party to take a decision, e.g. a pre-employment medical. Services linked to the health care of a patient are currently exempt from VAT.
Examples of Non-NHS services where VAT is chargeable:
· Accident/sickness insurance certificates & reports
· Certain travel vaccinations
· Private medical insurance reports
· Medicals for HGV/Taxi/PSV
· Elderly Driver Medicals
· Holiday cancellation forms
· Driving Licence forms
· Shotgun Certificate Verification
What should I do if I need to see a doctor urgently?
The Urgent Primary Care Service at Solihull Hospital will provide an urgent ‘see and treat’ service for patients with minor illnesses. This service will see patients without a prior booked appointment although patients are advised to call 111 before attending as alternative services are available. Patients will need to report to the Urgent Primary Care reception located next to the existing Minor Injuries Unit.
What’s your Slavery statement?
Modern Slavery Statement
Our Health Partnership – Modern Slavery Statement
Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) requires commercial organisations operating in the UK with an annual turnover in excess of £36m to produce a ‘slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year of the organisation’.
Organisational Structure and Business
Our Health Partnership is one of the UK’s biggest GP partnerships. It brings together 52 surgeries in the Midlands and Shropshire. By using our shared expertise to tackle the challenges of GP practice today, we can keep local surgeries thriving and provide the excellent care that our patients need now and into the future.
Our approach to slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to tackling modern slavery within every part of our business and its supply chains. Our Anti-slavery statement, in combination with the establishment of effective policies, demonstrates our commitment to the issue of modern slavery and ensures that appropriate and coordinated action is taken throughout the business.
Due diligence
We have taken action to understand and address the risks of modern slavery within our operations, including:
The development of robust processes around whistleblowing, grievance, disciplinary and bullying and harassment policies, to provide both staff and patients with assurance that modern slavery concerns will be raised and dealt with appropriately
Staff training and increasing awareness of modern slavery, on how to spot signs and raise complaints within the organisation, and monitoring the delivery of this training to staff
Putting in place Strict standards for conduct in the workplace, mirroring the NHS code of conduct, as referenced within our staff handbook and code of conduct policy
Ensuring inappropriate employment practices are avoided by adhering to our Illegal Working Prevention, DBS, and Recruitment policies, to ensure identity checks, DBS, qualifications and references are in place
Continued development of policies around safeguarding.
Which items should not be routinely prescribed in primary care?
Earlier in the year NHS England and NHS Clinical Commissioners also published guidance on ‘Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care’ and subsequently the Birmingham and Solihull CCG policy was produced. Medicines included in the policy are:
Co-proxamol
Dosulepin
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Herbal treatments
Homeopathy
Immediate release fentanyl
Lidocaine plasters
Liothyronine
Lutein and antioxidants
Once daily Tadalafil
Omega-3 fatty acid compounds
Perindopril arginine
Prolonged release doxazosin
Rubifacients (excluding topical NSAIDs)
Targinact – Oxycodone and naloxone combination
Tramacet – paracetamol and tramadol combination
Trimipramine
Vaccines administered exclusively for the purposes of travel (see list in policy)
NHS England Guidance:https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/conditions-for-which-over-the-counter-items-should-not-routinely-be-prescribed/
Birmingham and Solihull CCG policy: https://nhs.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=fc496e37a02fff5979483df7e&id=50f4e99283&e=261acd4ccf
Will I be charged for Non-NHS services?
Victoria Road Surgery
All fees must be paid in advance before the work is done. There is no refund in case of dissatisfaction with the doctor’s professional opinion. Factual corrections can be made following discussion with the doctor.
All reports to third parties outside of the NHS will require patients consent in advance.
Fitness to Travel £30
Fitness to participate :
· Sport / Gym – £30
· Examination Illness – £20
Holiday Cancellation : Insurance – £30
Private Sick Note – £20
HGV/Taxi Full Report – £150
HGV/Taxi Basic Report – £50
Firearms Licence – £100
General letter (To whom it may concern) – £30
Copy of medicines for travel – Free
Fostering / adoption assessment and form – £130
General medical examination and report – £150 adult / £130 child
Travel Vaccination (Non NHS) – per injection
Hepatitis B- Adult – £40
Hepatitis B – Child – £35
Will there be someone else during intimate examinations?
We are committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times.
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. A chaperone may be a family member or friend. Alternatively you may prefer a formal chaperone in which case a trained member of staff can be present.
We ask you to make a chaperone request when booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made and your consultation is not delayed.
Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.