Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine – update

New guidance has been issued for the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

This follows further reviews by the independent regulator, the MHRA, and the Commission for Human Medicines, of a very small number of people in the UK who have developed a rare blood-clotting condition since having the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

The MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations have emphasised that the risk of this condition is extremely small and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. They have recommended that:

• Everyone who has had the AstraZeneca vaccine should still have a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, irrespective of age, unless they have had a blood clot or have an existing risk of thrombosis (blood clotting)
• People aged 30 and over or who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease should still be offered the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits in protecting them against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition.
• People aged 18-29 who do not have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where available. (This has been recommended as a precaution as people under 30 are at less risk from Covid-19 and not because they are considered to be at particular risk of developing the rare blood clot.)
• People under 30 can still choose to have the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine if this will mean they can be protected more quickly and they have been made aware of the guidance.

Please see the leaflet below that has been produced by Public Health England and the NHS to answer any questions you may have

Leaflet on COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting

National Covid-19 vaccination Update

 Go online: http://www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119. 

NHS COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME UPDATE

 We know that everyone is eager to find out when they will get their Covid vaccination and that this is an anxious time. The NHS is working very hard to invite people who are eligible to have their vaccination, as quickly as possible. If you are aged over 40 you can now book your vaccination through the National Booking Service (NBS), online, or by calling 119 – booking slots for first doses are being regularly reviewed and opened up in line with current vaccine supply.

Please support us by ensuring your contact details are up to date, so we can contact you quickly when it is time to have your vaccination.  We are contacting eligible people by phone, letter or text message – if you have already booked an appointment at a large vaccination centre, please tell us so we can update our records.

As soon as you are invited – please confirm your appointment date and time.  You must attend all booked appointments to ensure that precious vaccines are not wasted and we can invite everyone as quickly as possible. Vaccinations are being delivered in specific vaccination locations in the community, so you may need to travel a short distance to your appointment – please speak to family and friends to support you with transport. You can also call the Coronavirus helpline who may be able to help with transport difficulties on: 0300 7906275.

You can get your COVID vaccination if:

• You are aged 40 or over
• you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
• you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• you have a learning disability
• you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus

If you are aged 18-39, you will be contacted by the NHS when it is your turn and invited to book an appointment

Important information

 Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.

• The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.

• The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.

• The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

• The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

 Link to website: NHS England » Docs and cops warn on COVID-19 cons

Online Patient Triage System, Click The Box Below
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Patient User Guide

Learn my way

See below the link to a free resource for helping people use online services. https://www.learnmyway.com/

Learn My Way has free courses to help people learn digital skills to stay safe and connected. There is a course available for registering and using GP services online and also for using the NHS website. It doesn’t just help with digital health services as there are other courses about learning to use the internet for shopping, banking, accessing public services as well as other things

Coronavirus - Advice for Patients

Patient Update Form

DISPENSARY WILL BE CLOSED

BETWEEN 13.00 – 14.00

Mon – Fri

Until further notice

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Chronic Pain

Do you suffer with Chronic Pain? The link below is a film which aims to help you to seek alternatives to prescription opioids to help deal with your condition.

https://youtu.be/l17SjDth4pU

Evening and Weekend Access 

This is a new initiative across Somerset whereby patients can make appointments at extended times (up until 8pm at night Monday-Friday and on Saturday mornings) at other practices across the local area. Practices working together to deliver extended access to appointments are listed on the poster below.

Appointment types will vary, some being face to face and some on the 'phone and there will be a mixture of pre-bookable and same day appointments available across the week. They may be with a doctor but could also be with another healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or a nurse. We are keen to balance the importance of continuity of care with convenient access for patients whilst ensuring that the service is safe.

To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times, this will help us to signpost you to the most appropriate option for your particular problem. By contacting us we can fully explain the process, ensure that the booking is appropriate (as we hope to be able to meet your needs by offering an appointment with your usual GP) and cover all the relevant information (and consent) that we need to before we book an appointment for you. For further information please click on the link below.

Improved Access

PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP

WE NEED THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF OUR REGISTERED PATIENTS

Would you like to have a say about the services provided by North Curry Health Centre and the local NHS Service?

We are seeking to increase the members of the Patient Reference Group within the registered patient list which we can contact on an ongoing basis. This would enable the Health Centre to survey the views and opinions of its patients and have a collated collective opinion available when representing its Patient List.

By providing your e-mail details we can add them to a contact list that will mean we can contact you via email every now and again to seek your views and opinions.

Sign Up Form

Maternity Self Referral form

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/maternity/maternity-pregnancy-and-birth/maternity-self-referral/

Opening Hours

Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more

Repeat Prescriptions

Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page and complete the online form. Find out more

ONLINE SERVICES

Please be aware that there has been a Emis update which has affected the Online services - this may affect your ability to order medication online as well as booking appointments.  You will need to complete the form below and bring it to the surgery yourself along with two forms of ID - one of which must be photographic and the other with proof of address.

We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused you.  This is a security measure implemented by EMIS and not North Curry health centre.

Online Prescription Registration Form

NHS APP

Functionality and how to download the NHS App can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/

Like To Register?

New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more

Facilities For The Disabled

Our patient facilities are located within ground floor level, with wide door access and toilet facilities for patients with wheelchairs or walking aides. We also have a wheelchair available for any patient who has difficulty in walking and ramp access into the building.

Emergency Dental Care for NHS Patients