What you need to do

We are still working at a reduced capacity, and continue to prioritise our patients to ensure those that need to access vital services can.

Many minor ailments can be dealt with at home, or by alternative routes such as seeking advice from your pharmacist or using ‘over the counter’ remedies for simple conditions such as conjunctivitis, hay fever, rashes and piles. In seeking out these alternatives, where appropriate, you can help us work more effectively.

111.nhs.uk. is a good resource if you are unsure if your minor ailment requires GP attention.

Patients with Ongoing Conditions

We understand that people with ongoing conditions will be concerned at this time.

Our patients with ongoing conditions should have a good idea of how to manage their condition and sufficient supplies of medication. Please continue to manage your condition as pro-actively as you are able.

We have reintroduced many chronic illness reviews, patients to whom this is relevant will be contacted. If you are worried about your condition, please contact us, or your nurse specialist. If your condition is stable, your next review may be delayed. If you need blood tests these will be arranged as usual.

Call 999 for emergencies such as

• signs of a heart attack – pain like a very tight band, heavy weight or squeezing in the centre of your chest
• signs of a stroke – face drooping on one side, can’t hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
• severe difficulty breathing – gasping, not being able to get words out, choking or lips turning blue
• heavy bleeding – that won’t stop
• severe injuries – or deep cuts after a serious accident
• seizure (fit) – someone is shaking or jerking because of a fit, or is unconscious (can’t be woken up)
• sudden, rapid swelling – of the eyes, lips, mouth, throat or tongue

Appointments are to be arranged Online, via eConsult, or over the Telephone.

Online – You will be asked to complete and submit an enhanced assessment.

A member of our team will review your answers in detail and let you know the next step by the end of the next working day

Telephone – You will be asked a brief description of the issue by our reception team in order to ascertain which clinician is best to deal with your care. In most cases you will be offered a telephone call from a clinician, this may be the same day, or within a week depending on the issue and demand on our services that day.

If following the telephone triage or online assessment the clinician feels you need to be seen face to face they will offer you an appointment to come into surgery.

Please call our team on 01273 480888*.

*We have a great number of staff available to take calls, especially at peak times. Please do be patient should you find yourself in a queue to get through to book an appointment. Some calls are more complex than others and may require more time from our staff, each of whom are endeavouring to offer the best care for all patients.

If you are asked to come into surgery at this time we may require you to attend a different site than you are used to.  This will be made clear at the time of booking.

These sites include

• Anchor Field, Ringmer
• River Lodge, Lewes
• School Hill, Lewes
• St Andrew’s, Lewes
• Urgent Treatment Centre, at Lewes Victoria Hospital.

Repeat medication can be ordered via

• systmonline
• Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) – 08081 647678
• The NHS App
• Written Request – please include the pharmacy you wish to collect your medication from. Written request can be posted or left in our prescription letterboxes at our surgery sites.

We would expect requests to be processed within 3 working days, but please allow a little longer at this time. Once processed, your prescription will automatically be sent to your nominated pharmacy.

Please only order what you need. Stockpiling medication risks other patients by depleting availability. Emergency supplies of your regular medications may be obtained from your pharmacist in some circumstances.