Pathology result issues across Leeds

The laboratory at Leeds Teaching Hospitals trust (LTHT), which processes & reports on all the bloods tests taken across Leeds, had a system upgrade in early December 2024.

Due to problems with this upgrade:

1. Some blood test results have been delayed in being sent back to the practice

2. Some blood test results were sent to us in an incorrect format: so will take us longer to review back in the practice

3. Some blood samples have been lost or have been discarded due to delays in processing which means they will have to be repeated

4. There may be staggered delays within a set of tests, meaning reports may not be representative. for example, a result may be marked as ‘normal’, and this communicated to the patient, but further test elements are yet to arrive (and may be ‘abnormal’).

This has been a problem across Leeds with every GP practice having to do a lot of extra work, checking and so on. Alwoodley Medical Centre staff are facing a significant extra workload caused by this issue which is entirely outside our control. Please be assured that we are working through the extra work steadily and we will be in touch with patients as and when necessary.

Our preferred way for patients to know that their test results are back / and are normal, is by checking on the NHS App. You can see all your test results and your recent medical notes in the NHS App. It is downloadable from app stores.

If you had a blood test taken here at the practice more than 4 weeks ago and there are no results showing on the NHS App, please let us know via the Patch’s contact box (choose the ‘admin’ option). If you are not able to access the NHS App, then please do give us a call to check.

If you had a blood test taken here at the practice more than 4 weeks ago, and you cannot see ALL the results from it on the NHS App please let us know.

 West Yorkshire ICB, Leeds Local Medical Committee (which represents GPs) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust are working together to resolve the issues. However, Leeds General Practice feels this system upgrade has been poorly handled, resulting in a lot of extra work for practices at our busiest time of year. We will continue to post updates as we get them.

Should you wish to convey your feelings to LTHT, you can contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service- https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/patients/support/feedback-complaints/

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Alwoodley Medical Centre

#Digital 121 Session for Alwoodley Medical Centre Patients @ Moor Allerton Library

• Thursday 3^rd Oct 2024, 2:30pm – 4pm

• Thursday 7^th Nov 2024 2:30pm – 4pm

• Thursday 5^th Dec 2024, 2:30pm – 4pm

Alwoodley Medical Centre is holding several sessions at Moor Allerton library to assist our patients in using PATCHS and NHS App to access the surgeries medical services.

These sessions will guide patients on how to contact the surgery and be able to use the NHS App.

Come along with your device or use of the library PC and talk to our friendly team who will help you get started on PATCHS and NHS APP.

Booking is essential.

Please book your space by contacting Alwoodley Medical Centre on:

0113 393 0119 or speak to reception team to book your place.

We are now taking bookings for the FLU VACCINE & Covid Autumn boosters will be offered at the same time.

We have several clinics available which can be booked through NHS APP, patient access and by calling the surgery.

Flu Clinic - Over 65’s clinic dates:

• Thursday 3rd October 2024  

• Saturday 19th october 2024

Flu Clinic - Under 65’s clinic dates:

• Thursday 3rd October 2024  

• Saturday 19th october 2024

Child Flu clinic for 2 – 3-year-olds.

All Flu vaccine appointments can be booked online through the NHS App or Patient access and by calling the surgery.

To all our Patients at Alwoodley Medical centre.

We are aware that it can be hard at times to get through on the phone and our GP appointment availability means that seeing the right person at a time that is good for you can be a challenge. As a team we have been keen to address this issue.

From 10^th June 2024, all requests to see, or speak to a GP and, or requests for administrative tasks (for example sick note, letters, or prescription requests) are to be made by completing an online triage form via our website through PATCHS.

Rest assured, anyone who does not have access to the internet or has difficulty completing a form online will be still able to contact our reception team who can complete the form on their behalf. A family member or friend can also complete the form for you if needed.

From 10^th June 2024, this will be the way for you to get in touch with the Practice to speak to or see a GP.

All requests will be triaged by our On-call GP team and admin Team. We will review each request in turn and will be in contact via text message or phone call.

Once your online request has been triaged by a GP, you will be offered the most appropriate next step based on your expressed symptoms and history.

For a routine appointment, you will receive a text message with a simple weblink that will allow you to book an appointment on a day and time that suits you. With just a few taps, your appointment will be booked.

If your issue is urgent, you will be booked in on the same day to see or speak with a doctor.

The online form is very simple to fill out so please do give it a go. Although the character count is limited on the form, please try to give as much specific and concise information as possible. The better the information you provide, the more able we are to help you appropriately, please also attach images if appropriate.

We know for many of you this will be a big change, it will be a big change for us all at the surgery too as we get into the swing of using a new system. However, we have every faith this new service will stop that 8 o’clock difficulties to get through to us and will help us achieve our aim of ensuring that you get to see the right clinician, at the right place, at the right time, first time.

Thank you in advance.

From all the Partners & the team.

apppointments_AMC_-_Leaflet.pdf

How_to_register_for_patchs-_Booklet.docx

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 From 10th June, a better way to request support from your GP

We have listened to your concerns and comments which the surgery would like to advise you we will be changing the way you contact the surgery to request help from your GP:

• New process to requesting help from your GP.

• Pre booked GP appointments available.

• Avoid the 8:00 am rush:

• More Flexibility

• More Choice for routine appointments

• Better consistency of care

More information will follow regarding these exciting new changes in the next few weeks. 

Partners and colleagues at Alwoodley Medical Practice are aware of a number of inaccurate, as well as abusive, comments made on social media about the practice. Alwoodley Medical Practice takes bullying in all forms, face to face or online, very seriously.

 We would encourage anyone who has any concerns or queries about our practice to contact us direct, and where necessary, follow the complaints procedure.

NHS services across the North East & Yorkshire region are experiencing extremely high demand at the moment – this includes GP practices, which are extremely busy.

If you need advice for a minor/mild illness or injury, in the first instance, please look at the self-care advice that’s available on-line from the NHS at www.nhs.uk or contact your local pharmacy

• Please watch the following online video to help you choose the most appropriate service for your needs:

• Please read the following to help advise you about NHS services during the Festive Holidays:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-east-yorkshire/2023/12/18/people-in-north-east-and-yorkshire-reminded-about-nhs-healthcare-options-over-christmas-and-new-year/

• If you want to check your symptoms, there is an on-line symptom checker available at 111.nhs.uk, which will re-direct you to a health professional if you need to be consulted by someone

• The 111 online service is effective and efficient and endorsed by your GP. You will be dealt with more quickly using 111 online than calling 111. Go to 111.nhs.uk  

Please reassure patients that they should attend their general practice appointments on industrial actions dates unless contacted and told otherwise.

Get in touch online, at anytime. 

You can contact the practice 24/7 on our website by filling in an online form PATCHS or via the NHS App. Book an appointment, request a

repeat prescription or submit a query at a time that is convenient for you. 

Once you get in touch, we'll get back to you within 48 hours. 

If this option sounds right for you, speak to one of the team about getting started online or by visiting our PATCHS page and Your GP record online - Alwoodley Medical Centre.

You can also request help by giving the practice a call on 0113 393 0119 or visiting reception during opening hours. 

We are open Monday - Tuesday 08:00 - 20:00 Wednesday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00.