COVID information
You are now able to book your blood tests on line for Princess Alexandra Hospital. Please go to Option 4 on the side bar - Online Services.
ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN
COVID roadmap out of lockdown for patients
Please read so that you are aware of our plans for the foreseeable future
Astra-Zenica vaccination
The MHRA (The UK regulatory agency for managing drug safety and use) states this is a precautionary measure taken by some European authorities. It has not been confirmed that the reports of blood clot was caused by AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. The European Medicines Agency (The equivalent of the MHRA in Europe) states there is currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions; its safety committee is reviewing this issue.
Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon. More than 11 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccine have now been administered across the UK. Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population.
The safety of the public will always come first. The MHRA are keeping this issue under close review but available evidence does not confirm that the vaccine is the cause. As such, people should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.
The NHS COVID-19 Vaccination programme
Latest figures (14.4.2021) across West Essex are:
80+ years = 95.1% vaccinated
Health and social care workers = 86%
75 - 79 years = 95.6%
70 - 74 years = 94.1%
65 - 69 years = 91.6%
60 - 64 years = 90.1%
55 - 59 years = 87.7%
50 - 54 years = 85.1%
40 - 49 years = 33.5%
Clinically extremely vulnerable = 90.7%
Carers 76.2%
At risk 16 - 64 = 82.8%
Information for patients
All NHS services are under severe pressure at the moment, as we look after increasing numbers of patients who are sick with covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses.
We are also delivering the huge and vitally important covid-19 vaccination programme.
So that it can focus on these really important issues, you GP will understandably be prioritising urgent cases.
This means that when you contact your local practice, they will have an initial conversation with you to understand how urgent your health needs are.
If you have an issue that is not urgent, you may to wait longer than usual until your problem or concern can be dealt with.
Do please make sure that you continue to get in touch with us if you need to. This is particularly important if:
- your problem is urgent;
- you have long term condition that is getting worse
- you are worried about symptoms that might indicate cancer
Please also remember you can call NHS 111 for urgent concerns, and 999 for serious emergencies.
Your local pharmacist can also help with minor complaints
For adults with mental health problems including depression and anxiety, you can refer yourself directly to the local wellbeing service, via their website.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, call this freephone number: 0800 6444 101.
We have a childhood illnesses leaflet free to download here, full of advice and information for parents and carers of young children https://hertsvalleysccg.nhs.uk/application/files/1716/0941/0098/Help_your_Child_Stay_Well_This_Winter_FINAL.pdf
Herts Help has a range of support and information to help people though the lockdown here https://www.hertshelp.net/hertshelp.aspx
Thank you very much for helping us all manage under these very difficult circumstances.
We are OPEN, and very still busy!
We are fully aware of the many stories in the national press about GP surgeries not being open. We also understand that we all want things to go back to how they were before the pandemic, and that the initial support for the NHS, which was strong at the start of the pandemic, is wearing thin. Please know that we are doing the best that we can for our patients.
We cannot comment on what other surgeries are doing – but want to re-assure you that we are OPEN!
All GP appointment requests must still be first triaged over the phone, and if you cannot be safely managed over the phone or video consultation, we will arrange for a face to face appointment for you.
Workload 1..1.2021 - 31.3.2021
F2F Consultations 4710
Video Consultations 198
Telephone Consultations 4829
Home Visits 80
PHCT MDT Patients Discussed 271
Urgent Cancer Referrals 143
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (high temperature, a new continuous cough or a change/loss to your sense of smell or taste):
1. Please do not attend the surgery (contact the surgery by telephone if you require assistance - please note that during this time we are receiving a high number of calls but a member of the Front of House Team will answer your call as soon as possible).
2. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
3. Self-isolate and do not have visitors – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also self-isolate
d to
Our doors are open – However you still must follow social distancing rules when coming to see us, therefore please ensure that you do the following;
• We only have limited space for patients to wait socially distanced in our waiting room. Please follow the guidance of our staff. At busy times you may be asked to wait outside, where the clinician will still call you.
• Attend your appointment alone if possible and just before your appointment time to limit the wait you have at the practice
• Wear a face covering
• Follow social distancing on the way to and whilst visiting the practice
• Ensure you follow any advice as displayed on posters or advised by our staff
• Use hand sanitiser on entry to the practice – automatic machine available in the entrance
• Try to use the toilet and wash your hands before leaving home – limited toilet facilities available
• Please do not attend if you or any member of your household have any symptoms of Covid-19
We also want to assure you we are doing everything we can to protect our staff during this period. More specifically:
We have carried out a risk assessment our main actions are to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Some of the things we have put in place are listed above for changes to patients entering the practice and the service we offer. We have also risk assessed our staff members following latest guidance and advice.
We already had a triage system (patient first) which we are able to continue using to speak to patients before they attend to ensure they do not have symptoms before being seen for treatments and continued care
We will see patients when necessary after triage and we follow guidelines with appropriate PPE
We have adopted video consultations where needed to reduce face to face contact
We follow Government and NHS advice and guidance and keep our staff updated With this - specifically adherence to social distancing, frequent hand washing, hand sanitiser readily available and sneeze screens up in reception.
We ensure that there is regular cleaning of frequently used areas and all staff have refreshed their infection control training
We have wall mounted hand sanitising stations throughout the Practice to facilitate staff and patients with keeping hands sanitised
EXEMPTION FROM WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC
We have seen an increasing number of requests for GPs to write a letter to exempt patients from wearing a mask in public. Please see below the advice from the Local Medical Committee and note that it is not your GPs responsibility to provide exemption.
Exemption from wearing masks
The Government website clearly states that the public should not be asked to provide written evidence of their exemption from wearing a face covering and has now included templates for badges and cards that the public can download.
(Site updated 14/04/2021)