Following the recent government announcement that most Covid-19 restrictions are to be lifted from Monday 19th July, we felt we should address our patients and advise how that will affect your experience in our surgeries.
Rule of Six/Social Distancing
Our waiting room capacity will for now, remain unchanged. Our current arrangements are more than sufficient to comfortably ‘house’ the number of patients attending the practice, so with local Covid-19 infection rates remaining relatively high compared to earlier ‘waves’, on reflection it feels unwise to increase capacity. We will of course continue to review this alongside infection rates and capacity demands.
Given the high levels of telephone traffic we still experience, we are removing our request for patients to only enter with pre-booked appointments and are now dealing with prescription, appointment, and other queries at the front desk. However, our staff are still immensely busy and we would ask patients to consider whether their query could be directed to another, more appropriate, service such as a pharmacist, minor injuries or 111. Most Covid-19 queries are also answered on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
Mask Wearing
Both patients and staff will still be required to wear masks while in our practices (unless exempt) after July 19th. While we understand the national policy of mandatory mask wearing indoors has been removed, this local policy has been approved by the Practice Partners until further notice. We understand the many people find mask wearing difficult or uncomfortable, but we ask that you respect this Practice policy and the staff enforcing it.
Finally, thank you to the vast majority of our patients for your understanding and patience during this challenging time.
Ben Bishop – Practice Manager
Bovey Tracey & Chudleigh Practice
Mission Statement
To provide the highest standard of care to our patients and their families through a quality, safe and patient centred approach. To harbour an environment of trust, honesty and empathy and to value education, research and evidence based practice.
Practice Information.
The present practice was formed in 1973 when a two-man practice working in Bovey Tracey formed a partnership with a single-handed doctor in Chudleigh. Since then the practice has grown steadily and now consists of eight partners. We are fortunate in being able to offer excellent facilities at Tower House Surgery in Chudleigh which was built in 1992 and at Riverside Surgery in Bovey Tracey which was completed in March 1995.
Our practice operates in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you require further information about our compliance with these Acts, or on accessing your medical records, please enquire at reception.
Opening Hours
Our premises at Riverside Surgery in Bovey Tracey and Tower House Surgery in Chudleigh are open at the following times:
Monday - Friday
8.30am to 1.00pm & 2.00 to 6.00pm
The practice also offers routine pre-bookable GP appointments outside of these opening hours on Monday evenings and Wednesday evenings twice a month in our extended hour’s clinic. Contact our reception team for further information.
Timetables for both surgeries showing each doctor's consultation sessions can be found in our Surgery Times section.
Telephone service maintained between 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Improved Access appointments
From Monday 1st October 2018, additional evening appointments have been made available for our patients. These appointments are not the same as the evening appointments which are currently offered. Every night of the week, one GP surgery in the Newton Abbot area will be open from 6pm - 8pm and you can be seen by any one of these surgeries. These are routine pre-booked appointments. As these appointments are for patients over a wide area, you may not be seen by a Clinician known to you from our practice.
Rota for Monday to Thursday evening appointments:
Riverside Surgery, Bovey Tracey: Monday, every week
Devon Square: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Cricketfield: 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of each month
Albany: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
Kingsteignton: Alternate Wednesday's
Kingskerswell and Ipplepen: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursday of each month
Buckland: 1st Thursday of each month
Weekend Appointments
In addition to our evening appointments, there will be weekend appointments available at Cricketfield Surgery. Patients can see a Health Care Assistant, Practice Nurse, or GP. This service is for pre-booked routine work and is not for acute, urgent or walk-in situations. For any urgent or acute problem, you should continue to contact 111 for help and advice.
Times for weekend appointments:
Fridays: between 6pm and 8pm
Saturdays: between 8am and 6pm
Sundays: between 8am and 2pm
Consent to share your medical records
The Clinician you see will require access to your medical history in your records. When you book your appointment, you will be asked to consent to the sharing of your medical records. When you give consent, the only person who will be able to see your records is the Clinician at your appointment. Your consent will be valid for just 28 days from your appointment date.
If you do not wish to share your medical records, then unfortunately the weekday and weekend appointment service will not be suitable for you.
Parking and Disabled Facilities
Car parking is available in the nearby public pay-and-display car parks, which are within level walking distance of the surgeries. We also have limited parking spaces adjacent to the surgeries. Our purpose-built premises have facilities for the disabled.
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