News

Waiting for Hospital Care and 'Expedite' letters

Waiting for a Hospital Appointment or Treatment?
We understand that waiting for hospital care can be really difficult, especially if you're in pain or worried about your health.

You can check the average waiting times for your local hospital by visiting:
🔗 www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk

What is an ‘Expedite’ Letter - and Do They Work?
Sometimes patients are advised to ask their GP for an 'expedite letter' to try to bring a hospital appointment forward. We completely understand why you might ask - it’s hard to wait when you’re unwell.

However, hospital teams have told GPs that they don’t usually act on these letters. Decisions about who is seen sooner are made by the hospital specialists, based on medical need.

If your symptoms have changed or got worse – for example, you’re in more pain, your mobility has reduced, or your hearing has changed – the hospital needs to know. These are things only you can describe, and it's best to tell the hospital team directly.

If you are waiting to be seen by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) and your condition has changed, please contact your hospital team as soon as possible.
🔗 Contacting your Outpatient appointment booking team - United Lincolnshire Hospitals

Need Help?
If your symptoms are getting worse or you’re not sure what to do, seek prompt advice or review if there is a change in condition.

If you feel your symptoms are serious or life-threatening, don’t wait – call 999 straight away.

Ear syringing

It is with regret that we will no longer be providing an ear irrigation service to remove ear wax.  This service is no longer recommended by NICE and is no longer funded. 

Advice on self help to remove ear wax can be found on the NHS Website and there a number of local private providers of ear wax removal by microsuction (this service isn't yet commissioned by the NHS in this area).

 

Bank Holidays

Patients should call 999 in an emergency or life threatening situation. Call 111 for urgent advice/treatment that cannot wait until the Practice re-opens.

Pharmacies should be able to assist with minor ailments and medication advice.

We will be closed on the following Bank Holidays in 2025:

Friday April 18th 2025

Monday April 21st 2025

Monday May 5th 2025

Monday May 26th 2025

Monday August 25 2025

Thursday December 25th 2025

Friday December 26th 2025

 

2024 SEPT
August 204 FTT

PARK RUN

a close up of a map

Community Pharmacy Service

What is this new service about?

From Monday 29th November 2021, when you call the practice, you will be asked about your symptoms. If they indicate that you can best be helped by a pharmacist, you will be offered a same day private consultation with a community pharmacist at a local pharmacy (Asda Newark Road, Boots High Street, East Midlands Whisby Road, Co-op The Forum, Lloyds Brayford Quays, Lloyds Sainsburys, Rowlands Portland Street, Tesco Wragby Road, Tritton Road Morrisons)

Community pharmacists have already successfully seen thousands of patients for a consultation for a minor illness, following a call to NHS 111. This new way of arranging consultations with the pharmacist by a GP practice, has been successfully piloted around the county.

Why are you doing this?

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and experts in medicines. They can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for all sorts of minor illnesses, and a same day consultation can be arranged quickly and at a time to suit you.

This in turns frees up GP appointments for those people with more complex symptoms who really need to see a GP.

What happens when I see the community pharmacist?

We will share your personal details with the pharmacist and details of your minor illness and the pharmacist will contact you to arrange your consultation on the same day, or at a time that suits you.

You may be seen in person in a private consulting room, if the pharmacist thinks it appropriate, or your consultation may be carried out over the phone or via video. You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms and current medication, in the same way the GP would ask you about them.

Usually, the pharmacist will provide you with advice and can sell you with an over the counter product where needed, if you choose. They will also send details of your consultation back to us for our records.

Page last reviewed: 29 May 2025
Page created: 01 April 2020