Voice Mail Scam
We've been made aware of a Voice Mail scam currently doing the rounds whereby you are asked to download a voice mail app to retrieve a message which if the user follows the instructions to install, a piece of malware programming could be installed to your device which could put your credentials at risk.
The incident we've been alerted to alleged to have been a "message from your doctor" which might seem reasonable if you were expected a call from us. Our advice would be to not open the link or download an app – we will never send you an unsolicited message asking you to install an app or download a file without having to install anything. If you are expecting a call or message from us and are in any doubt, please contact us to clarify.
Appointment News
Our Clinical Team area again affected by Covid which seriously affects our capacity for appointments. Please only request an 'on the day' appointment for a truly urgent problem or something that definitely cannot wait. If you're offered an alternative route, or an appointment at a later date, please accept this. If you have an existing appointment, we'll contact you if we must to rearrange. If we don't contact you, please assume your appointment is going ahead and do not contact the Practice to check as this impacts on our call queues. Thank you for your patience.
Contraceptive Services
Throughout the pandemic we have continued to offer support for patients whose individual needs were unable to be met at the central contraceptive services –Your Sexual Health Matters. We encourage patients to continue to use the centralised service which specialises in contraception and sexual health: They can offer online, telephone and face to face consultations. However, we are now able to provide the extended service of fitting coils and implants and patients can fulfil these contraceptive needs here at our GP practice."
Update on the Spring COVID-19 booster programme
We will soon begin our Spring Covid Booster campaign for eligible patients. If you are over 75 years of age or under with a weakened immune system you will be offered the booster. Clinics are currently being organised at Babington Hospital Vaccination Hub and patients will hear from us over the next few weeks. You should be offered a booster around 6 months (and not before 3 months) since your last dose of vaccine. If you missed your first booster, you should have this Spring booster as soon as possible.
If you have had confirmed COVID-19, you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your Spring booster.
LASTEST INFORMATION RE WEARING OF FACE MASKS
NHS England have today confirmed that despite yesterday's Government announcement that from today (27 January) face coverings will no longer be mandatory in public places, the UK Health Security Agency's Infection Prevention Control guidance remains in place in GP Surgeries.
This means that we will still require patients to wear face coverings (facemasks or face shields), to maintain social distance and use hand sanitiser to enter the practice building. As we are a higher risk environment, continuing these measures will help to ensure that we keep all our patients and staff safe.
Please help us by wearing a mask or face covering when you visit our practice. Thank you for your support.
Covid-19 Vaccination status
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:
It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use these services.
If you cannot access these online services, and you have had two vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you had your second dose more than five working days ago. It may take seven working days for the letter to arrive.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.
When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get proof of your vaccination status before you leave.
Your Covid-19 vaccination is very important. You may be worried about information shared in the media over recent days about the AstraZeneca vaccine so please read the following statement from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA):
“We are closely reviewing reports but the evidence available does not suggest the vaccine is the cause. “Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon. More than 11 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca have now been administered across the UK, and the number of blood clots reported after having the vaccine is not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population. “We are working closely with international counterparts in understanding the global safety experience of COVID-19 vaccines and on the rapid sharing of safety data and reports. People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do”
Please use the below useful web link to access an information leaflet for patients who have covid-19 who are well enough to stay at home. It includes useful information on what to keep an eye on, and what to do if things get worse: