Noticeboard

FLU - UPDATE November 2020

We have secured extra stock of flu vaccine please contact us is you fall into one of the eligible groups. Please note those who fall under the 50-64 new group who don't have a chronic disease and this would be the first year of offer we have been advised by NHS England that we are not to vaccinate this group yet. We will announce further information relating to this age group as and when it is filtered from NHS England.

Thank you

Flu Update October 2020

Practices and pharmacies alike have faced an increased demand this flu season in uptake of the flu vaccination. Currently all available vaccines held and awaited delivery have been allocated to those who have booked an appointment. We are awaiting further guidance from NHS England regarding accessing further supplies but this guidance is likely not to be received until November.

Please be rest assured if you  have yet to get your vaccine this flu season, and fall into the NORMAL cohort of eligibility (*NOT 50-64 years without a chronic disease) we are working as best we can to ensure further stocks are procured from the government reserve as earliest as possible and we have raised our concerns with our local commissioning group who have escalated to NHS England.

*Please note that, if you are aged between 50 and 64 and not in a clinical at risk group, the earliest you MAY be offered a flu vaccination is November, providing there is sufficient vaccine.  No appointments will be offered for people in this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.  If you are aged 50 to 64 and are in a clinical ‘at risk’ group which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you should have received an invite and may be awaiting further contacting regarding more supplies of vaccine.

We share your frustrations as a team and will be in touch with all eligible groups as and when guidance is cascaded to us about potential stock that we can access.

Thank you for your patience - DR Mallard-Smith and Partners


Urgent Treatment Centre at Wycombe Hospital

The Urgent Treatment Centre at Wycombe Hospital, which is open 8am-8pm every day and measures are in place for patient safety.   To pre-book an appointment, call 111 or use 111 online, for injuries and illness concerns. Some walk-in patients will be accepted, but you are asked to call 111 to make sure you’re directed to the most appropriate place for your care.

Patient Group Survey 2020-21

The PPG have completed the annual patient survey. Please see link below for the annual report.

Coronavirus

Please DON'T book an appointment with us if you have symptoms of Coronavirus

    • you also DON’T need to ring 111 if you have symptoms – just isolate
    • but DO ring 111 if you feel you can’t cope with your symptoms at home, or your symptoms get worse or they don’t get better after 7 days
 

Appointments

    • the surgery doors will continue to be locked

    • you still can’t book an appointment using Patient Access – you must phone us

    • we will still screen all patients first by phone or other technology

    • anyone needing a face-to-face GP appointment will get one, but we are trying to use technology alternatives where possible

    • most nursing appointments are continuing face-to-face

    • we are regularly contacting our vulnerable patients who are at home

    • we are still doing chronic disease reviews (such as for diabetics) using remote technology

Keeping you safe if you visit the surgery

  • social distance measures are in place at the surgery, including a one-way system
  • appointments are spaced out so the waiting room doesn’t get crowded
  • all patients attending the surgery are given a mask to wear
  • clinical staff wear PPE throughout each consultation
  • we will soon have some 2-metre stickers if patients have to wait outside
  • high risk patients are seen first thing in the morning where possible, to minimise exposure to other patients
 
Everything we are doing has been the subject of a full risk assessment.  So please don't hold back in contacting us if you have any medical concerns.

Face covering exemptions 

With face coverings now mandatory in many public places, we understand practices have had patients contacting them seeking verification of exemptions from their GPs. There is no requirement for an individual to prove that they have a valid case for exemption if they cannot wear a face covering, therefore, GPs are not expected to provide verification of exemptions.

It is not a legal requirement in health care settings for people to wear a face covering. Government advice says you should wear a face covering in enclosed spaces if you can, including places such as primary care services. However, a patient should not be refused entry to a premises or access to care if they are unable to, or refuse to, wear a covering. This should be clearly communicated to all patients.

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This is a personal choice, and is not necessary in law, verbal communication of this is good enough. Template exemption cards are available for patients to print or download.

Please see below information for guidance relating to COVID 19 and children.

COVID and Children

COVID19 is unlikely to cause a serious illness in children, but please remember children can still become seriously unwell from other causes that are always around. Please do not let concerns over COVID19 stop you from contacting medical services. If you are not sure if your child needs to be seen please go to https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national for advice or contact 111 or your GP. For information about crying babies go to https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national If your child is severely unwell call 999 or go to Emergency Department.

Covid Advice for Parents with Children

Mental Health Support COVID

Mental Health Mates Bucks, a local peer support group for anyone affected by mental illness.

 

Due to the impact of the Coronavirus crisis, we have moved our group online and are now holding weekly Virtual Coffees on Wednesday evenings at 7pm held on the free online conference software Zoom.  I've attached a poster that it may be helpful for you to share among colleagues who may wish to refer patients or join themselves.

 

When safe to do so our volunteers intend to resume organisation of our Walk and Talks held in various locations near to High Wycombe and Marlow.  We are an informal group who know it's good to talk and we welcome individuals of all ages, situations and backgrounds, plus their families, friends, partners and well behaved dogs on leads too. 

 

To find out more about the Mental Health Mates movement you can visit the main website www.mentalhealthmates.co.uk.

 

For further details about our group or to refer someone to us please contact or pass on our email mhmbucks@gmail.com.

 

Thank you for your time reading this and for all you do. 

 

 

Lena Britnell & Charlotte Williams

Walk Co-Leaders

Mental Health Mates Bucks

 


 
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