Cerne Abbas

Surgery

Our local doctors’ surgery is located in

Long Street, Cerne Abbas.

Their website is at

www.cerneabbassurgery.co.uk

For full Surgery information, please

visit the Surgery website

News From Cerne Abbas Surgery

Christmas Opening

The opening hours for Cerne Abbas Surgery over Christmas and the New Year holiday will be as follows: • Monday 19th – Friday 23rd December: usual opening hours • Monday 26th December: closed • Tuesday 27th December: closed • Wednesday 28th – Friday 30th: usual opening hours • Monday 2nd January: closed Tuesday 3rd January onwards: usual opening hours Repeat Prescriptions As we get closer to the festive season, here are a few reminders from our Dispensary Team. If you have regular medication, please can we ask that you: • order by telephone or online in good time, allowing 3 full working days before collecting • check that you will have enough medication to last you over the Christmas period when the surgery will be closed, but please do not panic as we will only be closed for a few days, and only order what you need Thank you in advance for your cooperation. October Challenge You may recall that the staff at the surgery took part in the ‘October Challenge’ where, together with the other eight GP practices in our area, we are hoping to travel the equivalent of the distance around the world by walking, running or cycling. We didn’t manage to get all round the world but the staff at Cerne Abbas did manage 1850.4km which is as far as travelling to Matera in Italy. ‘Matera is a city on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. It includes the Sassi area, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Evacuated in 1952 due to poor living conditions, the Sassi now houses museums like the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, with period furniture and artisan tools.’ The team have all said that the challenge encouraged them to be a bit more active than usual which was the main aim. Thinking beyond Christmas and into the New Year, if you’re thinking of doing more to look after yourself, take a look at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/ which has hints and tips on healthy weight, exercise, eating well, alcohol, smoking, sleep, addiction and sexual health.

Dr Dobbs: sabbatical

Dr Dobbs will be taking a 6-month break from the practice from January until the end of June 2023. His clinics will be taken over by Dr Stefan Giancola who already works with us and will be familiar to many of our patients. Dr Dobbs will be returning to his normal sessions in July.

Appointments

With the NHS moving more to on line services, patients who are able to access new technologies are invited to request access to the on line system to allow you to order repeat medication. To register please speak to reception; you will be required to bring identification before a password can be issued and you will need to collect this in person from the surgery; it only takes a moment. If you need help to log on please call the surgery on 01300 341666 or pop in and someone will be happy to help you. The more people that routinely use on line services the better, as this allows us more time to help those who have more urgent queries.

Surgery opening hours

Please be aware that the surgery closes at 6.30pm, therefore if you normally come after that to pick up your medication you will need to visit us earlier. If you will find this difficult, please call reception on 01300 341666 and ask for a call back from our dispensary manager to discuss. We will be offering pre- bookable (via the online portal) evening telephone appointments with a GP between 6.30pm and 7pm: these are aimed at our working patients who struggle to attend surgery during the day. If you would like to register for on line services, you will need to come into the surgery with identification and you will be issued with a password.

Dispensary

Please note that for safety reasons, you are no longer be able to order medication through the dispensary phone line. Patients should request medication using one of the following methods: • A week or two before you need medication, leave your repeat slip at the shop where you collect your medication, or at the surgery. • Order on line: ask for information on how to do this. If you have a query and do need to speak to the dispensary, please call reception and ask for a call back. You will not be able to speak immediately to a dispenser but the dispensary will call you the same day. Be aware that this is not an order line.

Remember also that there are lots of places apart from your

GP surgery where you can get help if you are unwell:

· High street pharmacies can advise on how to treat a range of common conditions; · NHS 111 are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can provide advice on your health; · Minor injuries units (MIU) can help with a range of things that are urgent but not life threatening, for example broken bones, sprains and minor burns; Blandford or Weymouth are your nearest MIUs. · 999 or Emergency Departments (A&E) should only be used in a life threatening situation. Dorchester is your nearest Emergency Department. For more information on local health services for you, your friends and family, visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk

Transport to the Surgery

For those unable to drive themselves, use public transport or avail themselves of friends or relatives to get to appointments, the Buckland Newton Car Neighbour Scheme has agreed to transport clients to the Surgery at Cerne Abbas. Clients need to register with the co-ordinators and give two days notice of visit.  Please note that the Surgery will not book the car on your behalf; you need to contact the co-ordinator on 07733 849 264.  Please see the Neighbourhood Car Scheme page.