COVID Boosters

We are being inundated with queries about the COVID booster vaccine. This is blocking the telephone lines for patients who are unwell. Please note the following:

* COVID boosters are for at risk patients (those who are normally eligible for the annual flu vaccine) and anyone aged 50yrs or over
* You can have a booster 182 days after your 2nd dose
* We do not have any confirmed clinics for booster doses as we are currently vaccinating our care home patients
* If you are eligible you can book online at https://www.nhs.uk/.../coro.../book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119
* Please note that 119 are booking boosters doses 6mths and 1 week after your 2nd dose. If you call before this timeframe has passed they will tell you that you are not eligible - this does not mean that you are not entitled to the booster, just that it has not been long enough since your 2nd dose. Please call them back once the timeframe has passed.

Please do not call us with queries - if you have a query please use our online form: https://florey.accurx.com/p/C81110

BE KIND

We know it is difficult to get through to us at the moment and how frustrating it is to hear that engaged tone when you try and call us. We have over 11000 patients registered with the surgery. In June our Reception team answered 11630 incoming calls and our GPs saw or spoke to 4375 patients. In comparison, our GPs saw 3765 patients in June 2019 (pre-COVID).

We are looking into additional ways to contact the practice and also improve the telephone system, but this takes time and cannot be done quickly or without cost to the practice.

We are also dealing with the same COVID absence problems as other workplaces. Staff are having to self-isolate at times and it is not easy to secure cover at short notice, especially for GPs or Nurses where we are already releasing staff to support the COVID vaccination centre.

Most patients are very understanding, however there are increasing numbers of patients who are being rude and abusive to our staff. We are working as hard as we can under very difficult circumstances which have been ongoing for the past 18mths. We know it's tough and everyone is fed up but we politely ask that you do not aim your frustration at our staff and that you treat them how you would like to be treated. We have a caring, hardworking, wonderful team who will always do their best to help you.

EASING OF RESTRICTIONS 19th JULY

Despite lockdown restrictions lifting in the community from 19 July, measures will remain unchanged in healthcare settings, including your GP practice. Please continue to help us to help you by wearing a face covering when entering our buildings, washing your hands using the facilities provided and maintaining social distancing.

Our practice has put in place comprehensive measures for staff and patients for the wearing of face masks and face coverings whilst at our surgery. All patients and visitors should continue to wear a face covering on entrance to our buildings and throughout the duration of their visit. The face coverings can be a scarf, homemade face mask or one that has been purchased. The measures continue to be an important part, alongside social distancing, of reducing the spread of Covid-19 and to keep our patients and communities safe.

We do understand that it can be frustrating, but we also know that when patients come to see us they are often sick and vulnerable, so we feel it would be wrong to not take these small precautions that can protect people.

COVID PASSPORT

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores
• the NHS website (from 17 May 2021)

It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use these services.

If you cannot access these online services, and you have had two vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you had your second dose more than five working days ago. It may take seven working days for the letter to arrive.

This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.

When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get proof of your vaccination status before you leave.

COVID Research Study

Researchers from a collaboration group would like to invite you to take part in a short questionnaire exploring the psychological impact of the coronavirus and changing restrictions, their effect on our emotions, behaviour and wellbeing. This is the third phase of recruitment. If you took part in previous phases of the study, you are still able to take part in this third phase. If you did not take part in previous phases you are still able to take part in this third phase.

The aim of this survey is to better understand how the coronavirus pandemic and changing restrictions are affecting our day-to-day lifestyle. We hope to find out what is helpful for people during this time and also what may be causing some people to be affected more than others in terms of their wellbeing.

Anyone over the age of 16 with access to be able to complete this online questionnaire can take part.

It is up to you to decide whether to take part or not. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, without giving a reason and without consequence. This survey is completely voluntary and you can stop completing it at any time. You also do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to, you can just skip them.

Want to find out more? Just click on this link: https://southernhealthnhs.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VfclSTO2zib1JQ

FOR ALL THE LATEST COVID INFORMATION - CLICK HERE

About the Wellbrook Medical Centre

The Wellbrook Medical Centre is a three partner practice currently providing General Medical Services to over 10600 patients. We aim to provide the highest quality of Primary Healthcare to all of our patients with compassion, care and skill. The practice is committed to Health Promotion, Disease management and Prevention. We offer our services from our modern, well organised and friendly practice.

This website has been produced to help you make the best use of the services we provide and to introduce you to some of the people who provide them for you.

For more information on the practice please see our Practice Booklet

Self Care

If you are calling for a minor illness we may ask you to contact your pharmacy for help or ask you to wait until you have had your symptoms for a certain amount of time before booking an appointment or asking a GP to contact you.

Self-care refers to the actions we take to recognise, treat and manage our own health. It's about doing small things, everyday things for yourself to keep healthy and happy.

Self-care is good for you and for the NHS. We believe it's:
Quicker
Easier
Simple
Considerate

Please click on the link for online advice and general self-care and wellbeing http://nhsstaywellderbyshire.co.uk/ or see our Self Care section

Get NHS help online

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means you should stay at home as much as possible, but it's still easy to get NHS help using your smartphone, tablet or computer.

This page has information to help you: