Econsult

For safety reasons we have reluctantly decided to turn off econsults at a weekend. 

We recognise that the whole NHS, including general practice, is under immense pressure and econsult is a convenient way to ask us administrative or minor clinical queries without taking an appointment. However, it was never intended to be used for urgent queries because it may be a few days before they are read by a doctor. Our trained staff do screen econsults and highlight any to the doctors that look like they may be urgent, but this cannot happen at weekends. Unfortunately, each weekend we have econsults submitted for urgent problems that have not been triaged for up to 3 days putting patients potentially at risk.  In addition the number that we now get over the weekend also places pressure on our staff on a Monday which diverts staff away from dealing with urgent problems that need to be dealt with the same day.

Doctors Strikes

General Practice is a service led by doctors who are consultants in family and general medicine in all but name. Within Glenpark, our patients have access to some of the most senior and experienced doctors in Gateshead.  We do have junior doctors who rotate through the practice as part of their training to become GPs, but our service is not dependent upon them. 

We fully support the right of both the consultants and junior doctors to express their dissatisfaction with the government contract and feel very saddened that situation has escalated to the point where the doctors feel that they have no option other than to go on strike.

The main impact for General Practice will be in supporting our hospital colleagues. We expect that the local hospitals will continue to provide the high level of emergency care, but beyond that services may be affected.

It is likely that General Practice will become even more stretched than normal as we pick up more of the urgent work that hospitals would normally do, particularly as these strikes effectively last a week The main message therefore is:

If you have an appointment at the practice please do still turn up - our normal work will be continuing. If you have an urgent medical problem do not hesitate to ring NHS111, or the practice. For potentially life threatening  emergencies still call 999 or attend A&E. However, for less urgent medical problems, please bear with us and our reception staff, remembering that we are all there to help but that we may have to prioritise more urgent problems.

About Us

At Glenpark we offer the highest quality modern healthcare, whilst being grounded in traditional patient, family and community centred values.

  The practice was founded in 1905 by Dr Dougall on Ravensworth Road and has remained committed to being at the heart of Dunston ever since.

   The practice has about 9400 patients from quite a small area centred around Dunston.

Our compact practice area makes us very accessible for our patients. And with a team that now comprises 11 permanent doctors, up to 3 registrars, 4 nurses, a health care assistant and a phlebotomist, we can offer our patients a wide choice of skills, knowledge and experience.

We are part of the Gateshead Inner West Primary Care Network. Please click here to view our website and find out more about the services we offer as a PCN. 

Appointments Reminder

Following feedback from patients earlier in the year, we returned to a pre-bookable appointment system. Appointments are prebookable with doctors up to 2 weeks in advance and 4 weeks for nurses. We do not have appointments to book "on-the-day"; for urgent problems that cannot wait until the next routine appointment (usually there is abotu a 1 week wait for routine appointments), we have a duty doctor who will phone back. More...

Update to the privacy Notice: Our phone system records all calls for training and quality purposes. Callers can request call recording is turned off.

Update on the Flu & Covid-19 Autumn Booster Programme 

The practice is working with the local group of practices to deliver the COVID vaccines at centres across the west of Gateshead. 

We will be sending out information about the programme soon.

Targetted Lung Health Checks

Patients from Glenpark will soon be invited to have a lung health check. For information about the programme and who will be eligible please click here.

There are three ways to get in touch with us at Glenpark Medical Centre.

It’s no secret that our surgeries have been busier than ever. That’s why there are now more ways to get in touch with us. You can:

• Go Online: Use eConsult if your problem can be resolved electronically (such as sick note requests), or book a telephone/in person appointment through our online service, Patient Access. 
• Call us: during surgery hours on 0191 4604 300.
• Visit the surgery at Ravensworth Road, Dunston, Gateshead NE11 9FJ from Monday to Friday during our opening hours. 

Pick the option that suits you best. No matter how you choose to get in touch with us, whether it’s using an eConsult/Patient Access, calling or visiting, you’ll get the help that’s right for you.        

Please remember, when visiting the surgery, you still need to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing to protect vulnerable patients from Coronavirus infection.  

The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, NHS website, or another online primary care service, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP). Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.

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 will only be able to see information from 1 November 2022. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.

Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app. Your doctor (GP) may also talk to you before your full records access is given to make sure that having access is of benefit to you. There might be some sensitive information on your record, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your health records by requesting this information through reception. The changes also only apply to personal information about you. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details. Don’t share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff.