We would like to make you aware of an upcoming update to the NHS Wales App that is designed to maintain the security, reliability and performance of the service for patients.

Importantly, no patient data will be lost as a result of this update. Patients will continue to be able to access their health information and NHS Wales App services through the web version of the App, even if they are unable to use the mobile application.

What this means for patients

The vast majority of users will not be affected and will continue to use the NHS Wales App as normal.

However, a very small number of patients using devices with operating systems that are no longer supported may find that they are unable to access the NHS Wales App through the mobile application following the update.

Current minimum supported operating system versions remain unchanged:

• iOS 14 and above
• Android 10 and above

Although these remain our supported versions, we have identified a small number of users who are currently accessing the App using operating systems outside of these supported requirements. Following the update, these users may no longer be able to use the mobile application.

Why this change is necessary

This update helps ensure that the NHS Wales App continues to meet current security standards and provides a safe and reliable experience for patients. Older operating systems may no longer receive security updates from their manufacturers, which can increase security risks.

Alternative access remains available

Patients who are unable to use the mobile application can continue to use the web browser version of the NHS Wales App on their device or another supported device.

We would be grateful if practices could reassure any patients who have questions that this change is being made to help keep their information secure, and that alternative access to NHS Wales App services remains available.

Kind regards,

NHS Wales App Team

Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board have launched a new single point of access pilot in health visiting. If any family or professional needs to contact the service they can reach on the number and email address below. We will endeavour to respond within 2 hours.

SPOA Health Visiting 01443 803930

CTM.SPOAHealthVisiting@wales.nhs.uk

We would like to welcome Dr Jamie Seymour to the Practice.

Dr Seymour has recently qualified and will be working on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

From Monday 2nd February 2026 we will changing the time that we release our ROUTINE ON THE DAY and Emergency Appointments.

Currently we ask you to ring at 2pm.

We are now asking you to ring from 2.30pm.

We have received feedback about the length of time it can take to get through on the telephones.  There are occasions when there is only one receptionist available to answer the calls at 2pm but there are two receptionists from 2.30pm.

We are hoping that this change will make a difference and reduce the time you are waiting to speak to us.

Please note that if you are looking to book a routine blood test appointment, appointment with the Nurse or Pharmacist - these appointments are available to book during the working day - no need to ring at 8.15 am 2/2.30pm.

We would also discourage patients from contacting us at 8.15am or 2pm/2.30pm for test results and fit notes.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support

GP Partners

Old School Surgery 

Every day at 8.15am we have ROUTINE on the day GP appointments available to book over the telephone or via the NHS Wales App (for Pontyclun Surgery only)
Every day at 2pm we have ROUTINE on the day GP appointments available to book over the telephone or via the NHS Wales App (for Pontyclun Surgery only)

*we only release NHS Wales App appointments for the main site as we have a boundary in place to ensure a fair split of GP appointments between Pontyclun and Llanharry based patients*

When all the routine appointments have been booked we will then have a discussion with you to see if your request is suitable for the emergency GP.

What an emergency GP appointment is for:

New illnesses: A condition that has arisen recently and needs quick assessment, like a chest infection or UTI.
Worsening chronic conditions: Flare-ups of long-term illnesses like asthma or Crohn's disease that require urgent review.
Urgent mental health support: Quick help for acute mental health problems. Although you also have 111 option 2 available.

Ongoing treatment or non-urgent issues:
These are not appropriate for an emergency appointment. Examples include medication queries, sick notes, or repeat prescriptions.

For life-threatening conditions, you should call 999 or go to A&E.

On a TUESDAY at 11.30am we release pre-bookable appointments for the following week (we tried to offer more in advance but we had a huge increase in patients not attending appointments)

DENTAL problems - please seek advise from your Dentist
EYE problems - please seek advise from your Optician
MEDICATION queries - can your Pharmacist assist you?

Practice Nurse/Healthcare Assistant/Blood Clinic appointments are released two weeks in advance

Practice Pharmacist appointments are released two week in advance

Physiotherapy/Mental Health Appointments are released two week in advance

We continue to offer the facility for you to contact us with non-urgent queries via email.

What we will accept

• ongoing fit note requests
• pre-bookable non-urgent appointments with a member of the clinical team
• requests for medical records (please note these requests can take upto 30 days to process)
• general feedback about the service provided

Please use the following email address: enquiries.oldschoolsurgery@wales.nhs.uk

We will respond to your enquiry within 5 working days

From Friday 1st November 2024 we will be offering more face to face appointments with all the Doctors working in the Practice.

We will still release prebookable appointments on a Tuesday at 11.30am for the following week.

We will release some prebookable and on the day slots via the NHS App (but these can also be booked by the Practice Team).

From Monday 2nd October 2023 we will be changing our opening hours to the following:

Surgery doors will be open from 8.15am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

Our telephone lines will be open for routine enquires from 8.15am - 6pm

If you have a medical emergency between 8am - 8.15am and 6 - 6.30pm you will need to ring our emergency telephone number 01443 225244

Under the GP Contract patients should be physically be able to access the surgery between the hours of 8.30am - 6pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays). 

Did you know you can speak to someone regarding mental health issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
There is someone to listen and support you straight away and re-direct you to the most appropriate person if needed.

You just need to DIAL 111 and press option 2

Routine GP appointments

Each Tuesday at 11:30 we release our GP appointments for the following week.  These appointments include PREBOOKABLE telephone calls and PREBOOKABLE face to face appointments for non-urgent matters.

We also release some same-day routine GP appointments each day at 8:15am and 2:00pm.

A very small number of routine GP appointments are available to book via the My Health Online system (MHOL). You need to sign up for this service and once signed up access is via our website www.pontyclunsurgery.co.uk .

You can also request a routine GP appointment by email using the following address enquiries.oldschoolsurgery@wales.nhs.uk  DO NOT USE this method if you want to be seen the same day.  We will reply to you via text message or email within 5 working days.

If the appointment we book for you is not suitable you will need to telephone our reception team to re-arrange.

Urgent GP appointments

We always have an emergency GP on duty; please contact us at any time between 8:15am and 6:15pm if you need urgent medical advice your request will be added to the list for the emergency GP. The GP will telephone you initially to triage your request and then make a decision with you on appropriate next steps. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR ANY LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY YOU MUST CALL 999 AND NOT THE SURGERY.

Other appointments

Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant appointments are released two weeks in advance, and you can contact reception by telephone any time between 8:15am and 6:15pm to book these appointments (we would recommend avoiding calling at either 8:15am or 2:00pm as the telephone lines are very busy).  If you know you need an injection on a certain day, please do not leave booking this appointment until last minute as we may not be able to accommodate your request.

Appointments for blood tests can only be booked if the blood test has been requested by one of our doctors or you need routine monitoring for medication you are taking or for chronic disease checks.

Blood tests for outpatient appointments need to be carried out in the hospital.

Any blood tests requested by a private clinic need to be arranged by them.

Results

If you have had blood tests taken in the surgery – we ask that you allow 7 working days before you contact us for the results. Do not contact the surgery for results of any tests requested by a hospital doctor; it is the responsibility of the hospital doctor to review these results and inform you of them.

We suggest that you call us after 11am with any request for results as our telephone lines are likely to be quieter.

Fit notes

You need to self-certify for the first 7 days of an episode of illness; after this you will need a fit note from us.  A GP is not able to issue a fit note unless us or other health services have had contact from you during your episode of illness e.g. A&E attendance, GP appointment. We may book you an appointment for a review if the GP wishes to discuss your request.

Ongoing fit notes can be requested over the telephone, by emailing enquiries.oldschoolsurgery@wales.nhs.uk or by using the contact us page on our website www.pontyclunsurgery.co.uk

The GP Partners have asked us not to book any fit note requesting into their emergency surgery.