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Please also see our COVID-19 information and Covid-19 Vaccination pages
Welcome to our website. Please use the drop-down menus to navigate your way around.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this site, or how it can be improved, please contact Ravi Iyer (Practice Manager) at gp.g82013@nhs.net. The Partners and Management have discussed with our Patient Participation Group and are keen to recruit a patient who has time and website editing skills to help improve the website.
Please read our Team Mission Statement
27/08/2021 - Blood Tests
A supplier to the NHS has advised us of a global shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests.
Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems, will still get one but where your clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.
Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available.
If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the NHS as you would normally.
27/07/2021: Contacting the Practice:
We are aware there are significant problems getting through to us on the phone. We are sorry this is the case and would like to explain a little about why that is.
Many GP surgeries across the country are in a similar position. We understand how frustrating it can be for it to take longer than normal.
We would like to reassure you we are working hard to resolve the situation.
There are three things that are challenging us:
What can you do to help?
Choose well – can the pharmacy help your symptoms? Call 111 if you are unsure which sort of treatment you need. You can also go online 111.nhs.uk
Download the NHS app. You can use this to order repeat prescriptions, view your immunisation history (including Covid Vaccines given in England and Wales only, and view results.
Use our online consultation system, eConsult if you are able to.
Cancel appointments you no longer need.
It’s useful to remember our teams are on the front line and see both the best and the worst of us all. They work incredibly hard to help patients navigate the system, but may not be able to offer you exactly what you want at all times.
Please be patient and courteous, they are trying their best to help you within the constraints of the NHS.
We are grateful for your understanding and support.
Amherst GP Partners and Practice Manager.
**Flu Vaccines - Coming Early September 2021**
Amherst will have a flu vaccination reserved for you if you are over 50 or have a long term condition that makes you more vulnerable.
If you are in one of these groups, please wait for your practice to contact you. You do not need to go elsewhere for your vaccination.
GP Data for Planning and Research Programme:
GP data has a crucial role to play in research and planning which can improve public health, but it is important for patients and the public that this data is made available for appropriate purposes in a secure and trusted manner. This programme is a planned replacement for the GP Extraction Service (GPES) currently used to collect data for planning and research from general practices in England.
It is a legal obligation for the practice to comply with the Data Provision Notice ‘DPN’ for this programme as a result of a new direction from the secretary of state for health and social care as part of the Health and Care Act 2012. Once fully established, this new collection will replace multiple other data collections from general practices including the GPES in due course.
It is important to state that this new GPDPR programme is not a new processing of GP data in any way; what it does is to carry out an ongoing processing i.e. extraction of patients’ data by NHS Digital for planning and research purposes via a more efficient means. NHS Digital has set out that, whilst general practice will still retain data controllership over patient records within their practice, once data has been extracted from patient records and shared with NHS Digital, NHS Digital will be the responsible and accountable data controller under the UK GDPR for data access and dissemination for planning and research. Full details on the processing of patients’ data for this programme can be found in the NHS Digital’ privacy notice.
Patients whom wish to "Opt Out" can find more information by visiting the NHS Data Matters website
Download the Type 1 Opt Out form (Word Version) or Type 1 Opt Out form (PDF version) and return to the practice once completed.
An NHS initiative will affect Amherst patients aged 18 and older with musculoskeletal (MSK) problems – for example, back and neck pain, sciatica, joint pain in hips, knees, feet, shoulders, elbows and fingers, and trigger finger (fingers stuck in a bent position).
See further information about Physiotherapy First
Service currently provided by Boots UK Ltd (High Street Sevenoaks), Paydens, Bat & Ball Pharmacy. See the Pharmacy First West Kent Common Ailments Scheme leaflet for further details.
Patients may be asked to explain briefly what the problem is when they ring Amherst to book a GP appointment. Under NHS care navigation – or signposting – we aim to provide the most appropriate service
What and Why are we promoting Care Navigation
From July 2019 we will be providing at Sevenoaks, pre-booked appointments on selected days between 7.00am and 8pm with GPs, our Paramedic and our HCAs. See our Improved Access Timetable for further details.
The Practice closes between 12.30 to 18.30 for Learning Afternoons.
The next Learning Afternoon is on:
For emergency medical help during this time please call 111.
Have you provided AMP with your email address? More than 8,000 patients have, but we would love to include every eligible patient on our email database.
Email is such a convenient and quick way to communicate with patients, and it’s far cheaper than sending letters in the post.
Via email we can let you know about important new campaigns, e.g., winter 'flu jabs. We can also send you all our practice news via regular e-newsletters.
If you have not told us your email address, and know other patients who haven’t, and you and they would be happy to receive practice emails to help them keep up to date with everything from Amherst, please join our mailing list.
Note: Email addresses are used solely for matters directly related to the patient and treated as confidential.
ONEYOU Kent and Medway provides NHS Free tips apps and services to help YOU improve more. Stop smoking. Drink less, Eat well and enjoy a healthier lifestyle
BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONEYOU.
Single Point of Access
If you have concerns about your mental health and you are NOT currently under the care and treatment of one of our Community Mental Health Teams or any other of our mental health services within the trust please make an appointment to see your GP, where you can discuss your concerns and they will advise and signpost you to the most appropriate service.
If however you need urgent or emergency mental health help and support and you are not currently receiving care and treatment from one of our Community Mental Health Teams, please call our 24/7 Single Point of Access on 0300 222 0123 or text 07860 022819.
Our Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPoA) provides a single route to obtain Urgent advice to all new patients to our Kent and Medway mental health services in urgent situations. When calling our SPoA you will be speaking to someone who can ensure you are put through to the right person or service.
...you can’t always get an appointment with your chosen doctor as quickly as either you or we would like… we’d like to explain why. Read further details about appointments...
Since April 1, 2016 patients have been able to access their online medical records – which may include documents, blood test results and consultations. Read further details about access to Medical Records,..
The Health Help Now leaflet provides urgent help and advice including: Late Night and Sunday Pharmacies, Minor Injuries, Dental Emergency, Confidential and Emotional Support 24/7, and Social Services.
See this this guide to common childhood illnesses and wellbeing.
Other News and Information
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
'Choose' Well by choosing the right service. The short video below is all about Choosing the Right Service:
You can now view Allergies, Medications and Blood Test results within your medical record, or order your repeat prescription online using either the NHS App or Patient Access.
Available 24 hours a day, whether you're at home or work, it's especially useful when the practice is closed or telephone lines are busy.
If you currently leave your paper prescription at a local chemist for them to bring to Amherst using this new service is faster and more efficient. Your prescription will still go back to the chemist of your choice.
Register Online
..and what it means for patients. There is a lot going on in the NHS, especially in England. You may have heard or read about some of the changes and pressures the service is facing.
We want to make sure you have the full story and know how to have your say.
This guide pulls together key information, provides links to other useful sites, and explains what the British Medical Association, representing UK doctors and medical students, think about it all.
Read More about what is happening in the NHS
Do you have any comments or concerns that you would like to put to us?
Would you like to let us know that what we are doing meets with your approval?
Now you can, by clicking below, for our Compliments, Concerns, or Comments form.
Comments Form
Cancel an appointment, enquire about prescriptions, change your address, send in a travel form, make a general enquiry, or advise of your next of kin.
Use Patient Access to order repeat prescriptions and view your medical record.
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It's fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
How likely are you to recommend this Surgery to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment? Please spend 2 minutes to take the Friends and Family Test.
The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
Patient is one of the most trusted medical resources online, supplying evidence based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals.
