Latest News
Patient Information - Documents Being Visible Online
We understand that some of our patients may have been unable to view certain documents (e.g. letters from the hospital) when using online services due to a software problem. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We are pleased to inform you that this issue has been resolved; any new documents added to your electronic GP health records will be visible and it may take up to a month for older, affected documents to become visible.
Your GP team will have been able to access the letters, so your care will not have been affected during this time.
Make the most of your appointment
'WALK IN AND WAIT' - Face to Face Appointments for New Problems Every Monday and Friday
Seaside Medical Centre launched a pilot in May 2023 offering patients "Walk in and Wait"appointments. This service was specifically designed for the patients of Seaside Medical Centre who had new problems. This new clinic and booking system had been designed to enable greater patient access to a primary care service. The desire was to increase face-to-face appointment numbers, reduce waiting times for clinical access and reduce the use of A&E and Out of Hour Services. The success of the pilot has led us to extend this service to our patients on two days, Monday and Friday morning. For more patient information on the criteria to book into this service please click here
Our team of trained receptionists will be signposting patients to ensure this service is booked appropriately.
Patient Information - Self Diagnosis
Self Referral Service to Sleepstation
New clinically validated digital screening and support service for those experiencing sleep problems including a full online programme of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). This service is now available to Seaside Medical Centre.
This service is easy to access through self referral as well as through your GP.
Self Referral Link: https://www.sleepstation.org.uk/nhs_options/
New for October 2023 - 'Prospective Medical Record On-line Access'
NHS England wants to give patients better ways to see their personal health information online. We know at Seaside Medical Centre that patients would find it helpful so they can see their results faster without phoning the Practice and the ability to read and review notes from their appointments at their leisure.
From Monday 30th October, we will be giving patients access to their prospective medical record. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App or another online primary care service as Patient Access, on application you will be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP).
This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists. You need to remember, prospective means you will only be able to see information going forward.
Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss your test results before you are able to see some of the information on the app. There may be some sensitive information on your record, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You will need to protect your login details. Don't share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.
What do I need to consider about having Prospective Record Access?
For many patients this will prove a valuable tool for helping to manage their healthcare. However, we do recognise that this isn't for everyone and this is why we have asked our patients to complete a form of consent to have this form of access given.
You may be happy to have this level of access from a personal point of view, but please consider whether you have given access to your account to other people, maybe just so they can order your medication or book appointments for you.
Please remember by giving us consent you will be able to view all of your consultations, medication, test results, incoming and outgoing letters etc. Please note this is not retrospective, so you will not be able to see any records that have been added previously, access will only be viewable from the date access has been granted.
Please see these links for the consent form and the our guidance on things to remember Application for Access to GP Online Services form.pdf
Experiencing Muscle or Joint Pain?
https://sussexmskpartnershipeast.co.uk/gethelp/
MSK have provided decision aid booklets, 'Understanding Persistent Pain' to help patients find tools to support and navigate their pain journey as well as 'Healthy Hips and Knees' focuses on the management of oesteoarthritis.
https://sussexmskpartnershipeast.co.uk/resources-help-while-you-wait/
Support While you Wait for Your Hospital Appointment
SEASIDE MEDICAL CENTRE COMES OUT ON TOP AT 92.2%
If you have every been worried about visiting your local GP Practice, knowing other patients have had a good experience can help to set your mind at ease. Thanks to data gathered in the GP Patient Survey you can check how your GP surgery ranks in your area. Twice a year more than a million adults who are registered with a GP in England are sent this survey. Ratings are based on experience of access, making appointments, quality of care, patient health and experience of NHS services when a patient's GP practice was closed. Patients are also asked how likely they are to recommend their practice to others. As headlined in the Eastbourne Herald, Seaside Medical Centre has come out top in this survey with an astounding 92.2% of patients that would recommend the surgery and the care they receive. This information is available on the NHS Choices website. You can read this report also by visiting https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/report?practicecode=G81017. Or you can view your local surgery rankings by entering the location, town or postcode and filtering the list based on NHS Users Ratings, visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/gp/locationsearch/4.