There have been some changes to the eligibility for the Shingles vaccination.

• From 1^st September 2023 you will be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65. You’ll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine, these are given between 6 and 12 months apart.

If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you’ll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70.

• Everyone aged 70 – 79 are eligible for the Shingles Vaccination. Depending on the type of vaccine you have, you’ll have either 1 dose or 2 doses (given between 6 and 12 months apart).
  
• If you are aged 50 and over and you have a severely weekend immune system, then you may also be eligible for the Shingles vaccination. You’ll be given 2 doses of the shingles vaccine. These are given between 8 weeks and 6 months apart.

For more information, please visit the NHS website here. Shingles vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

We are now booking in Flu Vaccinations. If you are aged 65+, or you turn 65 before 31^st March 2024 OR if you are aged 18-64 and you are in the ‘at risk’ category you can book your flu vaccination either via Online Access (such as the NHS app or Patient Access) or you can call us on 01454 412167 and press option 5 for the Flu Line.

If you are not sure if you are eligible please follow this link for more information Flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk), if you are then still unsure then call the Surgery and we can check your records.

If you would like to decline your Flu Vaccination, please give the Surgery a call so that we can take you off our list.

We are also booking in children Flu Vaccinations for those are are aged 2-3 and also if they are under 18 and in the At Risk category, please call us on 01454 412167 and press option 5 for the Flu Line to book in an appointment.

We can make a digital referral to an NHS Community Pharmacist for a consultation at a convenient pharmacy, where the patient will receive pharmacist advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses. Should the patient need to be escalated or referred to an alternative service, the pharmacist can arrange this. The service is helping to alleviate pressure on GP appointments and emergency departments, in addition to harnessing the skills and medicines knowledge of pharmacists.

NHS App and Online Appointments
The NHS App is now the preferred, simple and secure way to access many of our practice’s services on your smartphone or tablet. You do not need to contact our surgery to register for the NHS app. You just need to be able download the app and be able to follow instructions on how to video your face holding your driving licence photograph!
See here for more information https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app

With the NHS App patients can:

• Check their symptoms using the health A-Z from the NHS website.
• Find out what to do when they need help urgently, using NHS 111 online.
• Book and manage appointments at your GP practice.
• Order repeat prescriptions for collection at your practice or a pharmacy they have already nominated
• Securely view their GP medical record.
• Register to be an organ donor.
• Choose how the NHS uses their data.

SIGN UP TODAY!

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What is Social Prescribing?

Social prescribing is a national NHS England programme, and is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including people:

• with one or more long-term conditions
• who need support with their mental health
• who are lonely or isolated
• who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Southern Brooks, in partnership with DHI, has been commissioned to deliver support within GP Practices in South Gloucestershire. Our Social Prescribing Link Workers are based within the Practice, and GPs can refer patients directly to them. Patients are offered 4-6 one-to-one appointments with their Link Worker, who will help them to access relevant services, support, and community groups.

NHS England has produced a summary guide to Social Prescribing, which you can read HERE.

If you would like to be referred to a Social Prescribing Link Worker, please speak to your GP.

Social Prescribing During Covid

The Social Prescribing Service is continuing to run remotely throughout the COVID-19 social distancing measures.

The link workers continue to be able to access, sign post and refer into the necessary services to improve people’s wellbeing.

Social Prescribing was designed to reduce levels of social isolation, and despite current restrictions we are continuing to do so. Social distancing measures do not mean that we have to be disconnected and the link workers are working with people that are struggling through this period.

We have been helping people struggling with their children during school closure, helping with money and welfare issues, including helping to secure grants for those in financial hardship,  and have gained support for mental health and well-being from a variety of organisations and community groups.

Now that restrictions are lifting, and the weather is bright, our link workers are meeting people out in their communities for face to face conversations in open spaces where social distancing measures can be followed safely.

We are busy building a portfolio of ‘green’ activities and community groups that can be joined and enjoyed while adhering to government advice.

NHS Cervical Screening Programme has received reports of a possible scam.

Some women are being contacted by text message, claiming to be from the call and recall service to advise they are overdue for screening. The message asks them to call a mobile number and provide personal details.

These messages are not from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

The Action Fraud Line has been contacted.

All services should ensure that staff dealing with queries from general practices and the public:

• are aware of the situation
• handle any suspicious calls and concerns by:
• reporting them according to local organisational policies
• alerting the screening and immunisation team (SIT) and the screening quality assurance service (SQAS)

Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) – Updated 29/05/2020

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Please see our FAQs page here

How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)

Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.
It is particularly important for people who:

• are 70 or over
• have a long-term condition
• are pregnant
• have a weakened immune system

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
• only travel on public transport if you need to
• work from home, if you can
• avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
• avoid events with large groups of people
• use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

Don’t

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family

How coronavirus is spread

Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

Travel advice

There are some countries and areas where there’s a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.
If you’re planning to travel abroad and are concerned about coronavirus, see advice for travellers on GOV.UK.

Treatment for coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.

More information

• GOV.UK: coronavirus action plan
• GOV.UK: information on coronavirus and the situation in the UK
• NHS England: coronavirus for health professionals
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): coronavirus advice for pregnant women

Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority. To minimise the risk to patients, we are currently triaging all appointments before asking patients to come into the Health Centre. All prescription requests will be done electronically. You can request prescriptions via the NHS app or via patient access on your phone or website. Thank you for your understanding.

Here is a link for the self-certification form – https://public-online.hmrc.gov.uk/lc/content/xfaforms/profiles/forms.html?contentRoot=repository:///Applications/PersonalTax_iForms/1.0/SC2&template=SC2.xdp

Please find below a document with some useful links:

NEVER FORGET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT!

Sign up for free appointment reminders by text message.

Please check at reception that we have your correct mobile number.

We can now contact you by SMS and e-mail.

We will contact you about:

• Regular check ups
• Medication reviews and prescriptions
• Opening hours
• Test results arriving
• Vaccination reminders, etc

Check at reception that we have your correct mobile number and/or e-mail address.

New privacy regulation (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR) is coming into force on 25th May 2018.

Our Data Protection Officer is  Kelly-Anne Gast – 0117 4038452

At Streamside Surgery we make every effort to ensure the details we hold for you are correct and up-to-date. To find out more about how we store and use your data, please read our privacy policy.

https://www.streamsidesurgery.nhs.uk/information/data-protection-gdpr/