Routine GP appointments can be made for approximately 2 weeks in advance.

Otherwise appointments for GPs are released every morning at 0800 for that morning and the following 2 mornings and at 1300 for that afternoon and the following 2 afternoons. Please note that these appointments are taken quickly so you must phone at exactly 0800 and 1300 to obtain one of these appointments. If you call and all the appointments have been taken please do not take your frustration out on the reception team who are carrying out their duties as per the instructions of the GPs and Practice Manager. You will be may be asked to call again at either 0800 or 1300 if you have not been able to book an appointment. Emergencies will be dealt with but please do not request an emergency appointment for non-emergencies.

All GP appointments are telephone in the first instance and the GP will ask you to come in to the practice later that day if this is necessary.

Citizens Advice Wigan Borough we have a new phone number which is now free for all residents to call.

Adviceline number – 0808 278 7801

They also have a new video drop in service where clients can get advice over a video call.

This is operating:

Mondays  9:30am – 12:30pm  for debt advice

Wednesdays  9:30am – 12pm  for general advice

Thursdays  1pm – 3pm  for general advice.

Video advice link – https://cawb.org.uk/contact/video-advice

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year.

To accommodate the increasing demand for flu vaccinations this year, and to support safe social distancing, we will be offering patients the opportunity to book an appointment slot at Robin Park Sports Centre for a flu vaccination this year. Don’t worry if you are unable to travel to Robin Park, you will be able to attend the surgery for your vaccination.

Both sites will only be being offering pre-booked appointments only.  All of these appointments will be made via the practice on our dedicated flu line 01942 481501 (open Mon-Fri 8am till 5pm, except Wed open 8am till 2pm). We ask that only when you are invited to so you contact the practice, as we are sure you can understand it is not practical for our patients or our practice for all patients to attempt to contact at the same time. Our invites will be sent via mobile text message or letter.

A variety of days and times will be available at both sites.

The purpose of the vaccination Centre at Robin Park Sports Centre is to allow additional availability for our patients to be vaccinated earlier in the season. This site is intended for eligible patients who have relatively good health and are able to attend the alternative site. Patients who are more vulnerable will be asked to attend the surgery.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT ROBIN PARK SPORTS CENTRE

• FREE CAR PARKING – There will be clear signage for the flu clinic car park along with a car park attendant to direct you.
• There may be a short wait outside so please wear suitable clothing for the weather.
• Vaccines will be given in left upper arm or right upper arm (please wear suitable clothing)
• Please bring a mask/face covering if you are able to do so (we can provide a mask if you do not have one)
• Please attend your appointment on time, Please do not come early or late.
• Please DO NOT come if you have COVID symptoms (i.e high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)

When contacting the practice to book your appointment our team will ask a small series of questions to help ensure you are directed to the most appropriate clinic for your needs.

Please note these clinics are only for adult flu vaccinations and further information will follow regarding the child nasal flu programme.

For more information please visit www.nhs.uk.flujab

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.

Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces for at least one day. There are around 2.8 million veterans in the UK.

When servicemen and women leave the armed forces, their healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS.

It is highly important for continuing healthcare that you register with an NHS GP and remember to tell them you’ve served. Telling the GP practice about your veteran status will trigger the transfer of your full medical documentation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to your GP and enable you to benefit from
veteran-specific services, like prosthetics and mental health.

You shouldn’t be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services, so it’s important that you notify your current GP that you are moving, particularly if
you’re on a waiting list for medical treatment, so that this information can be transferred across.

All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS hospital care for any condition, as long as it’s related to their service and subject to the clinical
need of others.

Please remember that priority treatment does not entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need and only relates to a condition
associated to your time within the armed forces.

For more information on the duty of care owed to service personnel, read the Armed Forces Covenant (PDF).

To enable the practice to comply with the requirements of the Armed Forces Covenant and ensure high quality responsive services for currently serving
members of the armed forces, veterans, reservists and their families we are trying to identify all our patients who are part of the Armed Forces Community.

The Armed Forces Community includes:

• Regular personnel currently serving as members of the Naval service (including the Royal Navy and Royal Marines), Army or Royal Air Force.
• Reservists Volunteer Reservists, who form the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve, Territorial Army and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and Regular Reservists, who comprise the Royal Fleet Reserve, Army Reserve and Royal Air Force Reserve.
• Veterans those who have served for at least a day in HM Armed Forces, whether as a Regular or Reservist.
• Families of Regular Personnel, Reservists and Veterans the immediate family of those in the categories listed above. This is defined as spouses, civil partners, and children for whom they are responsible, but can where appropriate extend to parents, unmarried partners and other family members.
• Bereaved the immediate family of Service Personnel and veterans who have died, whether or not that death has any connection with Service.

Please let your nurse, GP or the reception team know if you belong to the Armed Forces Community (and under which category), and would like this information adding to your medical record.

The practice offers an annual health check for adults and young people age 14 years or above with Learning Disabilities who need more health support.

Our Commitment

We have a Learning Disabilities Nurse Champion Lead – Charlotte Cusick, along with an Administrative Lead – Michelle, who ensures that this group of patients are invited for a review in a way which meets their specific needs, at a convenient time for the patient (and their carer if applicable) and acts as a point of contact in reception for the patient/carer. 

Our staff, including administrative staff, undergo annual training aimed at helping to reduce the barriers that Learning Disabled people often face when accessing health care, it also helps us to effectively manage the health needs of our Learning Disabled patients. 

Marus Bridge Practice is committed to ensuring all patients are offered the best experience and service. This may be difficult due to information/communication difficulties, therefore reasonable adjustments are required to ensure they are met. Our Nurse Champion Lead Charlotte and Administrative Lead Lorraine will ensure these needs are discussed and agreed with the patient/carer and flagged on the patient record. These needs are reviewed regularly and communicated within the practice to give the best possible care pathway for the patient. 

For example

Patient 1 Difficulty reading letters therefore records flagged ‘Preferred method communication Telephone’, also difficulty remembering appointments – system in place for practice to telephone patient same day for reminder of appointment.  

Patient 2 Anxious when attending surgery, with agreement from patient flag on records for all staff that ‘Patient to sit in side room’ (appointment time arranged during less busy surgery period).

Patient 3 In wheelchair – needs assistance to and from waiting area – patient flag on records for ‘Administrative/clinicians to assist patient’

What happens at a Annual Health Check?

During the heath check Charlotte the Nurse will:

• Carry out a general physical examination which includes
  • Blood Pressure Check
  • Pulse
  • Weight
  • Examination of eyes and ears
  • Assess behaviour and mental health including questions on lifestyle
  • Offering support and referral to other services including health and social services
• Check on prescribed medication
• Review of any other chronic illness such as Asthma, Diabetes
• Offer of a blood test – we understand this may cause concern for some patients therefore this is not essential and we will respect the individual needs of the patient.
• And much more…

What are the benefits of having a Health Check?

People with Learning Disabilities often have other health needs and may have difficulty in recognising illness and communicating their health needs and using health services.

An individualised care plan will be agreed and a copy given to the patient (and their carer if appropriate).

Research shows that regular health checks for this group of patients often uncovers treatable health conditions.

Learning Disability Nurse Champion Lead – Charlotte Cusick

Dr Gerlach runs the minor surgery clinics. The service is for small skin lesions, cysts, moles and warts. These are treated by surgical removal or cryotherapy. 

For more information ring 01942 481500.

This service is now available 5 days per week at a number of community clinics in the Wigan & Leigh area including: Chandler House, Ashton Clinic, Newtown, Boston House, Pemberton Clinic, Standish, Platt Bridge & Hindley. The service operates on an appointment only basis, appointments can be made by telephoning 01942 773151 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). 

For fasting blood tests do not have anything to eat or drink for 12 hours before the test is due to be taken.

Before the test you will have to collect a form and on the form it will say whether it is a fasting test or not.

For blood tests results ring your GP Surgery 1 week after your test.