The First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs), who have been with us as a service since 2020 will no longer be available through our PCN after July 26th 2024.

What does this mean to patients?

If, after 26th July, you have a sudden on-set musculoskeletal (MSK) pain (back, knee,  ankle, neck), which is not associated with any previously-diagnosed condition or injury, you will now need to be triaged by a member of your practice’s clinical team, so you can either be seen by at the practice for further assessment, or signposted or referred directly to another service.

What about on-going treatment?

If you require any on-going physiotherapy treatment, a member of your practice’s clinical team will refer you to the community physiotherapy service accordingly. Please be aware there may be a wait for non-urgent treatment. This will be decided by physiotherapy service and appropriate to the nature of the MSK condition.

First Contact Physiotherapists will still be available within hospital settings.

Our thanks go to the PCN FCP team for all their hard work over the last four years. It has been great working with you.

If you're visiting our lovely area in Devon and Cornwall at half-term and throughout the summer, and find you need a GP, please contact your own surgery first. They are used to helping by phone, video and email. If you need a prescription, your surgery can send it to any pharmacy you choose, for you to collect close to where you are staying.

Whether you’re struggling with sinusitis, needing stitches or forgotten to bring a prescription, the NHS is reminding residents and visitors to think carefully about which service they need. Please only call 999 or visit the emergency department (ED) for life or limb emergencies, so we can keep ED and our hospitals available for those who need them the most.

A well-stocked first-aid kit or medicine cabinet may come in handy for days out and 96% of pharmacists can help with a range of Pharmacy First conditions including ear infections, rashes, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, urinary tract infections and sore throats – age restrictions do apply.

There’s also a network of minor injury units and an Urgent Treatment Centres open every day, including weekends, bank holidays and evenings – there is lots of choice available for visitors and residents alike.

Just a few extra tips:

**If you have forgotten to pack your prescription medication, pharmacists can arrange an emergency supply, even if you are far from home. Find your nearest pharmacy whilst away using FIND A PHARMACY HERE. You will need the postcode of where you are staying to find the nearest pharmacy.

**If you need non-urgent advice, please call your own GP and not the one closest to where you are staying. You can also visit NHS 111 online , use NHSApp or call 111 for advice, any time day or night.

**If you think you need to visit a hospital please check locations and live opening and waiting times.  You can also contact NHS 111 to find out where you should go to and when. Our main acute hospitals are in Truro, Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple.

Please be aware of ticks if you are out enjoying our lovely countryside at the moment. Ticks are horrible little pests that enjoy munching not only on our pets, but on us as well. If they have burrowed in, they can't be left, so please be wise about what to do, if you or a family member are unfortunate enough to have one, and when to seek medical help and/or advice. Please get in touch if you need our nurses to advise.

Go to gov.uk HERE or for NHS information about Lyme Disease go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

For a downloadable leaflet click HERE

Our practices usually take 4 closure afternoons per year, for whole staff training.  The last one of 2024 will be on Wednesday 11th September 2024. Practices will close at 1pm on those days, with on-site pharmacies at Boots and Avicenna staying open. Hatherleigh Dispensary will close from 1pm.

Closure dates for 2025 are not yet available.