ANNOUNCEMENT

News about consultations

Dr Yule will still consult on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Links Practice are pleased to announce we will now be offering extended hours every Friday 7.30am to 8.30am 

Please contact surgery to book

New Service - Physio First

A first contact practitioner (FCP) is an experienced physiotherapist who has the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact with healthcare services e.g when they visit their GP surgery.                              

Patients with MSK complaints can be booked in to see an FCP by a GP receptionist or other healthcare professional.  An FCP offers expert MSK assessment and diagnosis, however, is also integrated within the multi-disciplinary team in each GP Practice.  If appropriate an FCP may prescribe a programme of exercises, refer for blood tests or X-ray, administer steroid injections, utilise local services or refer a patient to an appropriate secondary health service e.g. rheumatology or orthopaedics.

Please speak to our Reception Team who can book you an appointment. 

Mental Health Nurse

We are pleased that we also have a mental health nurse called Rebecca Springthorpe every Tuesday 

The role of a Mental Health Nurse is to build effective relationships with patients who use mental health services and also their relatives or carers, whether that's helping them to take their medication correctly, or advising about relevant therapies or social activities.

Don’t Travel Without It! Apply for Your Free GHIC

 Planning a trip to Europe or certain other countries? Don’t forget your free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)! It’s an important card that can help you get necessary state healthcare if you suddenly fall ill or have an accident while you’re away.

What is a GHIC and Why Do You Need One?

The GHIC is for UK residents and has replaced the older EHIC. It helps you get state-provided medical care in European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland, just like a resident of that country. This means you might get treatment for free, or you’ll pay the same amount a local resident would. It covers medical emergencies, visits to A&E, and even ongoing treatment for long-term conditions.

Important to remember: The GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover things like private medical treatment, being flown back to the UK (repatriation), or lost luggage. Always make sure you have appropriate travel insurance as well.

What Does It Cover?

Your GHIC helps with “medically necessary healthcare.” This is treatment that can’t reasonably wait until you get back home. This includes:

Emergency medical treatment and A&E visits

Treatment for pre-existing or long-term medical conditions

Routine maternity care (unless you’re going abroad specifically to give birth)

Who Can Apply and How?

If you live in the UK, you can apply for a free GHIC. You can also include your spouse, civil partner, and children on your application.

Applying is simple and free! You’ll need:

Your full name and address

Your date of birth

Your National Insurance number

Your Health and Care number (if you’re from Northern Ireland)

You can apply for your card up to 9 months before your current card expires, and it’s usually valid for up to 5 years. Once approved, your card should arrive by post within 15 working days. If you need medical care before your card arrives, you can get a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) for temporary cover.

To apply or find out more, visit the official NHS website:

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Make sure you’re prepared before you travel – having your GHIC sorted can give you peace of mind!

We are often asked what the doctors do when not seeing patients

Every day the doctor will have

• House calls
• Complete DWP reports
• Complete Insurance Reports
• Medication reviews
• Sign Prescriptions
• Deal with any patient queries
• Deal with pharmacy queries
• Attend clinical and non clinical meetings
• Do referrals to hospital
• Deal with discharge letters from hospital
• Deal with the daily mail from hospitals
• Check results that have come in
• Telephone patients
• Deal with any emergencies as they happen
• Liaise with District Nurses and Practice Nurses