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Wickham Market Medical Centre is a rural practice based in Wickham Market and also provides a branch surgery service in Rendlesham.
We run many clinics for the management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes and offer a wide variety of other medical services including minor surgery, minor injuries, childhood vaccinations and travel vaccinations.
You will find everything you need to know about our practice plus a wealth of health-related information in the menu on the right hand side. Please have a look around and feedback any comments you may wish to make regarding the web site.
Patients and visitors to GP practices across Suffolk and north east Essex are being reminded they must continue to wear face coverings and observe social distancing rules from 19 July when lockdown rules ease.
Health and care leaders say while restrictions are being eased in some public places, strict infection control measures need to be followed in healthcare settings. This will reduce the risk of vulnerable people from becoming infected and help prevent Covid outbreaks that could result in the temporary closure of a surgery.
In addition to wearing a face covering, patients and visitors must practice social distancing and are being urged to wash their hands regularly.
They have also explained that they will still need to restrict access to patients and visitors and to limit the number of people accompanying people to appointments.
Anyone who refuses to wear a face covering and is not medically exempt will be asked to do so by the GP practice.
Maggie Pacini, Consultant in Public Health at Essex County Council, said: “We ask for everyone’s support in keeping people safe. Although legal restrictions on social contact will be removed, people should remain cautious and continue to take sensible steps to protect themselves and those around them.
“If you are asked to continue wearing a face covering when you attend your GP surgery, please remember that this will benefit other patients and also vulnerable people who need to attend in-person. We have a duty to protect each other so that we can live safely with the virus and Keep Covid in Check.”
Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health at Suffolk County Council, said: “Covid-19 is still at a higher rate within our local communities than we would like. Until infection rates come down, every visitor increases the risk of infection either coming into a healthcare setting or going out with a visitor.
“If you or your loved one had a compromised immune system or were recovering after a serious operation, you would want our clinical colleagues to do everything they could to keep them safe. Please keep helping us so that we can help you and your loved ones.”
For more information, please visit the Suffolk and North East Essex COVID-19 Vaccination Service website.
You can opt out of your GP record be shared with NHS Digital for planning and research before September 21. For more information please see this advice sheet or our Privacy Policy.
Please note the practice will be returning to the pre-bookable appointment system from the 1st July 2021. Patients will be able to book telephone consultations and face-to-face appointments in advance. Same day appointments will be for urgent matters only.
We are sorry to announce that Dr Ridout has left the practice at the beginning of May. We have welcomed Dr Charlotte Wayne to the team and she has taken over Dr Ridout’s patient list. We would like to wish Dr Ridout the best for the future.
Please see important information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination programme
For further information:
Please see important information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination programme for Cohort 6 - including carers and 'at risk' patients aged 16-65.
We are letting you know about a very useful website called Germ Defence which was created by a team of doctors and scientists to give you advice that has been proven to reduce the spread of viruses in the home. It can help you plan how to protect yourself and members of your family from infection by COVID-19 and ‘flu.
Please see this article for details
Face to face appointments are still available, but you may be asked to discuss your conditions over the phone or online first to assess what would be most appropriate for you.
We are requesting patients to supply us with home blood pressure readings wherever possible instead of coming into the surgery for a blood pressure check. It would be extremely helpful if you would purchase a blood pressure monitor if you are able to do so. These machines can be purchased for £20 to £50. We realise not everyone may be able to afford a monitor but if as many patients as possible are able to do so, it will allow us to maximise patient and staff safety in the building.
Examples of blood pressure monitors approved for home monitoring
The Kinetik Wellbeing monitor is available to purchase from Wickham Market & Rendlesham Surgeries for £20 whilst stocks last. Please contact the Pharmacy or Dispensary if you wish to purchase one.
Once you have your blood pressure monitor, we suggest you take 3 readings a few minutes apart and record the lowest reading, then repeat this at different times of the day. If you could let the surgery know the average of the results by email, eConsult or phone, we will record the result and contact you if any action is needed.
For further details see our How we use Information to Manage the Health of Local Population document.
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Please see this poster for self care advice on ear wax build up.
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You can now book your appointment and order your repeat prescription online using our patient online access service. Available 24 hours a day, it's especially useful when the practice is closed or telephone lines are busy.
If you have not already registered for this service please pop into the surgery for details.
Book an Appointment or Order Repeat Prescriptions
Did you know we have a Patient Participation Group?
The purpose of the Patient Participation Group is to help us access and use your ideas for new projects, and gaining your views as to how the practice can improve and develop.
Patient Group Page
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