Sidney House & The Laurels Surgery

21/11/2025

Following feedback from our patients, we have made some changes to our online request system.

We have changed our online consultation partner and from 8am on Monday 24th November, the online form will be much simpler and easier to fill out. Patients should no longer find their forms being rejected which was causing a lot of frustration.

However, these forms are only to be used for routine enquiries and non-urgent medical issues. Any patients that need same-day medical assistance need to contact by 'phone, or in person.

18/11/2025

📣 Announcement: resident doctors are taking strike action from 07:00 on Friday 14 November 2025 and ending at 06:59 on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Our local NHS services will experience added pressure. Please be prepared for your medical needs and stay informed on how to navigate care during this period. 🔗 https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/about/industrial-action/ 💙

14/10/2025

Staffing Update

Regrettably we have had three lots of reception applicants pull out of the recruitment process at various stages. This is immensely frustrating to us as so much time goes into interviewing, welcoming and training new staff.

Most of all we know how frustrating this is for our patients not having The Laurels Surgery in Boreham open as it should be. We don't like having to put temporary closures in place, and only do this when we have no other option.

We are continuing with recruitment, and in the meantime other staff in the surgery are lending support to the reception team. Thank you to our patients who have shared their words of encouragement and support to us; it means a lot.

12/10/2025

UPDATE for The Laurels Surgery Open-Times for Monday 13.10.2025

We are not quite back to being fully staffed in our reception team, which will mean the there are some additional temporary closures at The Laurels, Boreham.

Monday 13.10.2025 - Morning 8.00am-12.00pm CLOSED
Afternoon 14.00pm - 17.00pm OPENED

Sidney House remains open between 8am-6:30pm and we can still be contacted on the phone and via eConsult.

We're actively training and assisting our new receptionists as they settle into their roles.

We know the temporary closures have been difficult for our patients (and for us too) - we thank you for your patience whilst we get through this challenging time.

30/09/2025

Dear Patients -

From 1/10/2025 there will be a small change to how patients manage their hospital or specialist referrals. Patients will now be supported directly through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS), which gives them more control and flexibility when booking their appointment.

Please see more information on this on our website https://www.sidneyhouseandthelaurels.nhs.uk/- or below.

25/09/2025

UPDATE for The Laurels Surgery Open-Times UPDATED 29/9/2025

We are not quite back to being fully staffed in our reception team, which will mean the there are some additional temporary closures at The Laurels, Boreham, next week:

Monday 29th September - Closed all day
Tuesday 30 September - Open all day
Wednesday 1st October - Closed 9am-2pm; NOW CLOSED 2-5pm
Thursday 2nd October - NOW CLOSED 9am-12noon; closed 12 noon-5pm
Friday 3rd October - Open 9am-12noon; closed 12 noon-5pm.

Sidney House remains open between 8am-6:30pm and we can still be contacted on the phone and via eConsult.

We have recruited some additional receptionists and are busy training and supporting them in their new roles.

We know the temporary closures have been difficult for our patients (and for us too) - we thank you for your patience whilst we get through this challenging time.

24/09/2025

New Staff at the Surgery

We are delighted to welcome Nurse Helen to the surgery this week.
Once she has settled in she will be offering additional diabetic and asthma review appointments, as well all of the other routine nurse appointments such as dressings, immunisations, injections etc.

We have also been recruiting new receptionists; two have been appointed and will shortly begin their training. We have one more vacancy to fill.

Due to the increasing volume of correspondence we receive from hospitals, pharmacies and patients, we have also employed an additional part-time administrator so we can respond faster to administration tasks and queries.

06/09/2025

Our colleagues at Healthwatch Essex are looking to hear from anyone who is living in a home with mould and the impact it is having on them. Please follow the link if you would like to take part.

Healthwatch Essex is exploring the impact of living in a home affected by mould. We are hoping to hear the experiences of people directly affected, including physical and mental health problems…

05/09/2025

We have severe reception staff shortages in September.

The Laurels Surgery will be closed to patients from Monday 15th - Friday 19th September inclusive, and again between Wednesday 24th - Friday 26th September.

We apologise for the inconvenience and are working hard to recruit and train new staff. Members of the admin and management teams will be redeployed during this period to support the reception team.

Sidney House will remain open, as will our telephone lines and online consultations (eConsult). We will keep our website and social media up to date with any changes.

02/09/2025

*** Flu Season is back! ***

** We are working through all eligible patients and sending them a text message with a URL link to book directly into our Flu clinics. Clinics start from 1st of October for Adults.

** If you have access to online services you can book your appointment https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/.

** Please help us with the telephone queues and use the URL link to book your slot. Remember to confirm your slot when asked on the last page, only then your appointment is booked.

** We will be providing Covid vaccinations this season. There will be separate clinics available to book into soon. All eligible patients will be invited as soon as the clinics are added.

27/08/2025

CIRCLE is offering drop in sessions for anyone bereaved. See more information below.

25/08/2025

Due to staff shortages, on Wednesday 27th August the Laurels Surgery, Boreham, will be closed from 12 noon, until 9am the following morning.

We will still be available on the phone and in person at Sidney House, Hatfield Peverel.