Flu Vaccination Programme 2020

Following the news this morning (Friday 20th Nov)  we have now been asked by the government to offer all 50-64 year olds a flu vaccination from 1st December.  We have now been given the go ahead to order the vaccines from the national stock (although already it appears that deliveries will be some time later in December due to demand!).  If you are in the age group 50-64 we will contact you when we have the vaccine and clinics in place so please do not ring the surgery regarding an appointment.  Many thanks.

Understandably this year’s flu clinics are being run a little differently to past years. Invites have gone out to those over 65 years and those patients at risk. 

If on the day of your appointment you have any of the following: (1) a high fever over 37.8, (2) a new continuous cough or (3) a loss or change of your sense of smell or taste, then please do not attend and contact the surgery to rebook. 

Please note that we will not open our doors until 9.00 am for the morning clinic and 2.00 pm for the afternoon clinic so please do not come before then, especially if the weather is wet!   

 Clinics

• All patients will be booked 3 minute appointments
• Please do not bring extra people with you unless they are carers
• There will be a one way system around the building and 1 outdoor sheltered station
• We ask that patients arrive at their given time as queuing will be outside. Please bring umbrella for wet weather
• There will be marshals both inside and outside the surgery
• You will be screened by one of the marshals. If you answer positive to any of the checks you will be asked to go home and arrange a covid test whilst isolating and await the results
• When entering the building please remove your coat and outer garments so that your arm is available for vaccination. Please wear a short sleeved top
• The clinician will be wearing a mask in line with current guidelines
• You will be asked to stand for your vaccine but a chair will be available if needed. The clinician will wipe down any surfaces that have been in contact with patients.
• Once you have had your vaccine a marshal will show you the way out. If you feel faint please let them know.

  We appreciate your co-operation with safe distancing and assure you that measures have been taken to keep all our patients safe during this busy time.

Ethnicity text message

If you receive this message, this is not a scam!  - we have sent this to you.  It reads:  In preparation for new regulations requiring us to record patient ethnicity, we would be grateful if you could let us know your ethnic group from the following: White British - All other White - Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups - Asian/Asian British - Black African/Caribbean/Black British - Other ethnic groups.  This information will be used to help NHS England understand health inequalities.  Thank you.  From Vine House Health Centre.

Flu eligibility poster 

Please click the above link to read details.

Using the NHS and Other Health Services during Coronavirus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/using-the-nhs-and-other-health-services/

We have answers to lots of questions and concerns about COVID testing, self-isolation, schools and work.  Please click on the link below:

https://hertsvalleysccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-know/coronavirus-QandA

Important information for patients

We are open for booked appointments only.  It is not possible to book appointments or discuss queries through the front door so please call the surgery on 01923 262363 and a receptionist will be happy to help you.  Should you need to provide a urine sample, bottles and forms can be picked up and returned to the basket in our lobby, along with repeat prescription requests.  Please ensure that if you come into the surgery you wear a mask,or scarf.  Thank you.

Appointments

In line with all practices in the locality, we are currently only offering book on day appointments, ie there are no advance booking appointments.

When you call to make an appointment with a GP or nurse we will ask you to tell us why you need medical help. This will help us decide how best we can help you.

If appropriate, we will book you a telephone consultation and the GP will call you back the same day. The GP may offer you a video consultation or, if they need to see you face to face, they will arrange this with you. DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS THE GP ASKS YOU TO. 

Please do not contact the practice for medical help linked to coronavirus.  Simply follow the latest Government advice on coronavirus further down this page.

Online services

At present you are unable to book appointments on line other than for the flu vaccination but please do use other online services, including:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions – please only order what you need 

• Checking your medical record
  

   

AccuRx Video Consultations

The Practice is using AccuRx to carry out video consultations.  The consultation is not stored or recorded within the AccuRx system, the clinical staff member is required to record observations and outcomes of the consultation directly into patient records in the same way as a face to face consultation.  (as of 12/03/20)

Photographs 

Please note, if the GP requests that you send in photographs relating to your condition, these will be saved securely on your medical record.  Please do not send photographs of an intimate nature.

Repeat Prescriptions

We aim to send all prescriptions, including repeat prescriptions, through the electronic prescription service (EPS) to your nominated pharmacy.  If you do not have a nominated pharmacy you can choose one online or ask your usual pharmacy to set this up for you.  If you currently manage you own prescription requests and your prescription cannot be sent through EPS to a nominated pharmacy, you will need to contact the practice either online, via the telephone or by completing a request slip and placing it in the secure box in our front lobby. 

Home Deliveries - Please be aware that home deliveries by community pharmacies is not an NHS funded service and you may be charged. 

Updated 19/05/2020

Information for Cancer Patients with specific advice relating to Covid-19:

• Macmillan

https://www.macmillan.org.uk

• East of England Cancer Alliance Patient Information

https://www.canceralliance.co.uk/patient-information.aspx

• Cancer Research UK

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer

• Cancer Care Maps

https://www.cancercaremap.org/​

• Healthwatch Hertfordshire

https://www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk/

Cervical Screening Update

During Covid-19 routine cervical screening was put on hold, however it is now up and running again.  Many women may be concerned about delays to their screening and you may find the links below helpful.  They offer advice and reassurance including FAQs and videos from the Jo's Trust website.  Please be reassured that the risk from delaying screening by a few months is very small but we do recommend that all those on recall do now attend. 

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/coronavirus/videos

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/coronavirus/faqs

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/coronavirus

Latest government advice on coronavirus

If you or anyone in your household has a high temperature or a new and continuous cough or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of smell or taste, even if those symptoms are mild, you should all stay at home. Don’t go to your GP or hospital; instead go to nhs.uk to check your symptoms and follow the specialist medical advice.

For medical help linked to coronavirus you can also contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.

Only call 111 if you cannot get online.

If you need medical help for any reason, do not visit the GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.  For advice if a child is unwell or injured click on the following link:

Covid-19 Advice for parents when child is unwell or injured

If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:

• for health information and advice, use the NHS website or our surgery website

• for urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service – only call 111 if you're unable to get help online

• for life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance

Results of National GP Patient Survey 2019 - click here - Survey Results

NHS England updated information for patients around continuity of medicines supply in the event of a no-deal EU exit. (on nhs.uk) Medicines Supply

Opening Times

*open for booked appointments only between 07.00-08.00. The surgery will fully open at 08.00.

Early opening - one week per month we open at 07.30. The surgery will fully open at 08.00.

We are leading Watford Extended Access opening on Saturdays and Sundays with pre-booked appointments most weekends:

Saturdays between 08.00 and 19.00, Sundays between 09:00 and 13:00 and some weekday evenings up to 10.00 pm. These appointments can only be booked by a receptionist as they use a different booking system. 

If you cannot attend your appointment at short notice on the day when the surgery telephone lines are closed, please call 07478 306994.

Please ask at reception for further details.

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