Taking the next step – July 19th
The government have announced their plans to move out of lockdown, indicating that this is likely to be from 19 July. Until that time we wanted to remind you that the hands, face, space, fresh air mandatory requirements and guidance still apply.
The number of people who have received their first, and in many cases, second vaccination locally is fantastic but it doesn’t completely remove the risk of Covid and the virus continues to circulate in our communities. If you haven’t had your vaccinations yet you can find out more about the walk in opportunities in your local area HERE and we encourage you to share this information with friends and family.
Please remember that at this time, all infection prevention and control and the guidance regarding the use of face masks/coverings, which has been put in place for health care settings remains unchanged. This is for your safety, the safety of loved ones receiving care and for the safety of our staff. If visiting a healthcare setting, such as your GP practice, or when going to receive your Covid vaccination, you will still be required to practice good hand hygiene, wear your mask and give appropriate space to staff and other people in the area.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“As we move from regulations to guidance and get back to our everyday lives, see our loved ones and return to work, it is vital people practise good sense and take personal responsibility for their own health and those around them”
We have made such positive strides over the past few months, to keep moving forward, we must still remain mindful that we need to help protect each other.
After the 19th July, for the safety or yourself and others, we continue to recommend you:
· Meet others in well-ventilated areas where possible, such as outdoors or indoors with windows open.
· Wear a face covering where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet in enclosed and crowded spaces.
· Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
· Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze.
· Stay at home if unwell, to reduce the risk of passing on other illnesses onto friends, family, colleagues, and others in your community.
· Consider the individual risks of others, such as clinical vulnerabilities and vaccination status.
To keep up to date and fully informed with the changing guidance continue to visit GOV.UK and NHS.UK for trusted information.
Annual Flu vaccinations
The annual flu season is only a few months away and we know that flu can be a worry to some of our patients.
Following the success of last year’s drive-thru flu clinics and the current COVID-19 vaccination programme, Surrey Heath GP practices are working on a plan to effectively deliver this year’s seasonal flu vaccine.
For those eligible to receive the seasonal flu vaccine (in line with national eligibility criteria) we will be in touch later this year to book your appointment.
More information will be provided soon to enable all those eligible to receive their flu vaccination. To find out if you are eligible for the free flu vaccination click here.
AstraZeneca Vaccines
The Government has confirmed that no Covishield vaccines have been administered in the UK and that all AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria. The NHS COVID Pass is the digital version of individuals’ proof of COVID-19 vaccine status, which has been available for international travel since May. The European Medicines Agency has authorised this vaccine and the Government is confident that travel will not be affected. The EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate is currently for EU citizens only, or third country nationals legally staying or resident in the EU.
Information for patients about how to get an online or paper version of the NHS COVID Pass is on the NHS website.
COVID VACCINATION PROOF / COVID 'passport' requests
We are unable to offer you certification of your Covid-19 vaccination, a vaccination passport or a letter to prove you have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
These documents have not yet been developed and as such cannot be provided by your GP. As soon as we have further information on when and how these will be available, we will share it with you.
In the meantime, please do not contact us to request evidence as we do not have the capacity to support these requests.
If you wish to have proof of vaccine status you will need to download the NHS UK app on a smartphone (link below) or desktop PC. If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can also access your information, once registered, via web browser.
https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, YOU CAN USE THE FREE INTERNET/ WI-FI ACCESS AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL LIBRARY TO DOWNLOAD / PRINT THE INFORMATION NEEDED
Surrey Heath Borough Council working helping local GP practices with COVID-19 vaccine bookings
Surrey Heath Borough Council are working with local GP practices to answer questions and help book COVID-19 vaccinations following an invitation.
Please be assured that everyone who needs the vaccine will be offered it. The NHS will be in touch with you when it is your turn to be vaccinated.
Please don’t call us before you are invited.
In the meantime, you can get information about the COVID-19 vaccination online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or click here FAQs to read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
To watch a video about the Lakeside COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at Frimley Green please click here.
If you have received an invitation and have a question or need help with your booking please call 01276 707100 (Mon – Thurs 8:30am -5pm and Friday 8:30am -4:30pm).
Second doses – when will I be contacted?
If you are aged over 50 and fall into a high-risk group you may be able to get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after eight weeks rather than 12 weeks. Second dose appointments will be brought forward for those in high-risk groups who have yet to receive their second jab.
If you fall into a high-risk category and received your first dose through a GP service we will be contacting you directly to offer earlier appointments for your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Please wait to be contacted if you think you're in this group. Unless you have been invited before, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccination, we will contact you when it is the right time.
If, you do not have your second dose appointment confirmed by your 11th week, then please contact your GP surgery to let them know.
Vaccination Site Visits for people with LD/Autism
From experience we know that needles and unfamiliar surroundings/ people can exacerbate anxiety and therefore behaviours. There are a lot of national resources that have been developed at pace that will support you to make this experience the best it can be for people with learning difficulties and/ or autism. These resocures below will help alleviate some of the fears and misconceptions about the vaccine
1. YouTube video re: Vaccination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Wh23PDnfE&feature=youtu.be
2. Rights, consent and least restrictive approaches to the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out on Vimeo
3. Delivering COVID-19 vaccine to adults with learning disability/autism: Advisory-paper-covid-vaccine-for-adults-with-learning-disability-241120-FINAL.pdf (learningdisabilityengland.org.uk)
4. Restraint network - Useful_resources_covid_19_vaccinations.pdf (mcusercontent.com)
FAQs on COVID vaccine
https://www.frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/living-here/covid-19-vaccination/covid-19-vaccination-faqs
20/01/2021
COVID clinic transport options
The SHBC team have confirmed that they are able to offer transport Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5:00pm, and on Saturdays if required. Transport can be arranged by calling 01932 425050 and will be provided free of charge.
The COVID-19 recovery service has been launched, The recovery services hosts information from rehabilitation experts about how to manage ongoing symptoms and health needs at home, and on returning to work. It also signposts other useful places to get support and contains a helpful section for family, friends and carers of those who are recovering.
For general information on the Coronavirus, please click the link below.
For patients concerned that they may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances. These can be accessed at:
The GP cannot advise patients further on self isolation beyond what the government has already advised. If you have any questions or concerns about self isolating, use the NHS 111 Online service.
Mental health help and alternatives to A&E during the outbreak:
Mental health help
21/09/2020 Practice update and statement about the COVID pandemic here