Important information about COVID VACCINATION PROGRAM
(1st April 2021 Update)
Please support the Surgery by NOT contacting us to ask about Covid vaccine availability.
We will contact eligible patients when appointments become via SMS, please make sure your medical records are updated with the right mobile numbers alternatively check for your cohort to become eligible by visiting
https://www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/do-you-have-an-nhs-number
The COVID VACCINATION PROGRAM (CVP) will be delivered to our patients in partnership with a group of neighbouring Practices, covering an area within our Primary Care Network footprints
The first wave of GP-led vaccinations has commenced, with more GP groups coming online throughout December and beyond. This is intended to sit alongside the programme being rolled out through hospital hubs. The Practice is working through a list to make sure the most vulnerable are invited first as per NHS England guidance.
We expect vaccine availability to be limited to begin with, meaning only small numbers of vaccine may be given in December and most vaccinations taking place in early 2021, giving practices more time to prepare.
Community Staff will play a major role in this service, and will support the Program.
What the COVID Vaccination Program involves
Based on the information currently known to us, the vaccines that are ready and those that are being developed require two doses per patient, with a 21-28 day gap between doses.
Eligibility
Eligible patients will be confirmed soon, but are expected to be in line with the latest Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendations.
Similar to the flu groups, they include:
-all over the age of 50
-those at high risk
-care home residents and staff
-all health and care workers
The high priority groups will be vaccinated first, and as the vaccine becomes more available, practices will be able to provide this to increasing numbers.
COVID Vaccination Clinics
Due to the logistics of delivery and characteristics of the vaccines, the service needs to be delivered at scale and on one site. The current model for delivery is through groups of Practices working together along with Community Staff, with Richardson Hospital, being the designated site for our patient population.
When invited, please arrive at Richardson Hospital, Barnard Castle, DL12 8HT the Victoria Road entrance 10 minutes prior to your appointment. Please telephone the Practice if you are unable to attend.
Vaccines are also available in several Mass Vaccination centres , please look at NHS website for more info.
The Practice is working very hard in the background to offer vaccinations collaboratively at short notice, so that the vaccine is delivered within its short shelf-life and while also making sure our patients receive it as soon as possible. Specifics around delivery of the service will depend on matching patient demand and vaccine availability.
Appointment management
The GP Practice will send the appointment booking link via SMS to eligible patients. Patient will be sent SMS to book their first and second appointment allowing for the appropriate gap between doses. Patients will need to receive the second dose from the same provider.
As mentioned before, due to logistics of delivery and the characteristics of the vaccine, the Practice will only be given a short timescales to contact patients and book appointments into these vaccination clinics. The Practice understands this may not always suit the patients, but due to the importance of this vaccine, we request higher compliance from patients.
Please continue to keep yourself updated via our website.
Receiving the vaccine
A registered healthcare professional will carry out the clinical assessment and consent. Wear loose clothing to allow quick access for vaccination in your left arm. Please note, the latest information on the vaccines require that patients do need to be observed following administration of the vaccine. There is a self-timed 15 minute wait onsite after receiving the vaccine and patients are also required not drive for 15 minutes after vaccination.
For more information on COVID VACCINATION PROGRAM please visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Many thanks for all the cooperation
Pinfold Medical Practice
Novel Coronavirus update:
What you need to do https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
DO NOT go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. If you cannot get through by phone, please use the link below (it is the same process for both; there is no difference):
The Practice wishes to continue to provide care to all our patients so we are operating a little bit differently. Our online appointment booking has been closed for the timebeing. Please ring the Practice and book an initial telephone appointment with a GP or Nurse, who will ring you and carry out an initial assessment. If they need to see you they will arrange this with you. Patients may also use eConsult, accessible from our website (there is no sign up requirement) which GPs will try to action within 24 hours at the latest. ***Video consultations for patients with a SMART PHONE is now enabled*** Please ring the Practice to book an appointment.
We appeal to patients who have symptoms of new cough and/or fever, not to come to the surgery as you risk the welfare of other patients and staff. If our GPs and Nurses become unwell, it will have a signigicant adverse impact on our ability to continue to provide care for all patients. So we ask you to please follow the NHS advice and stay away from the Practice, Hospital or Pharmacy ... remember, we are still here and you get in touch with us by telephone or eConsult.
We are pleased to report that our Dispensary is now nearly back to normal workload and therefore the waiting time has been reduced to 3-5 working days.
Easy Read information can be found under 1. Accessibility Information
What parents need to know about COVID: What parents need to know about COVID
Welcome to Pinfold Medical Practice (formerly Butterknowle Surgery)
As a small rural practice, our objective is to provide a high standard of comprehensive traditional health care whilst embracing medical advances and new technologies. We are also a training practice for both third year and final year medical students.
We accept new patients living in our practice area, which includes the towns and villages of Butterknowle, Woodland, Copley, Hamsterley, Etherley, Toft Hill, West Auckland, Cockfield, Evenwood, Staindrop and Stainton.
To activate eConsult, go to the Appointments tab, then eConsult tab and click on the red button on the banner.
Click here to access the NHS Stay Well Website.
Opening Hours
Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more
Repeat Prescriptions
Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page and complete the online form. Find out more
Please note the Dispensary is closed between 12.30pm-2.00pm everyday. Dispensary will only take calls between 2.00pm-5.00pm.
Changes to Repeat Prescription Ordering System from September 2019
From September 2 2019, community pharmacies will no longer be able to order repeat medication for patients. Instead patients will order their medication directly from their GP Practice.
Patients will be required to order their own medication directly with the Practice. This can be done by:
- Online ordering via the Practice website Find out more
- Using the tear off part of the repeat prescription and dropping it off at the Practice
There will be a small number of patients for whom the changes will not be suitable and it may be appropriate for their local pharmacy to continue to support them with ordering repeat medication. As part of the project, the Practice will identify these patients and special arrangements will be put in place for them.
For more information click on the below link:
Repeat Prescription Ordering System Leaflet
Registering for online services
Registration Form
Information Leaflet
Like To Register?
New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more
Disabled Access
Our premises have suitable access and provisions for the disabled as well as ample parking.
Friends and Family Test
Recently had an appointment with us? Click here to let us know what you think.
(Site updated 31/03/2021)