COVID VACCINATIONS:
Please do not believe all you hear on the News! WE will Contact you to book your covid vaccination when we know what is actually happening locally. It is likely that Care homes and people of 80 years old and over will be vaccinated first.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRACTICE
We were voted best practice in Somerset following the National Patient Survey 2020, all credit to our whole Team of caring staff, and thank you to our patients for your kind and thoughtful comments and taking the time to answer the survey.
I’m sorry we cannot share any Christmas Exciting activities with you this month and our Social Prescribing Groups (Walking, Singing, Art etc) have come to a standstill with Covid this year. I just wanted to share a few things with you this month to help things run as smoothly as possible.
Dispensary collection times are Monday to Fri 10am – 12 noon, and 4pm – 6pm. This is a great help as it reduces regular interruptions to the Dispensary team and they are able to process medications and complete their orders safely. If you really are unable to pick up during these times you need to call and let Dispensary know so that they can make alternative arrangements.
We have a great team of volunteers delivering to house bound patients around Stogursey Shurton and Burton. Holford and Kilve and of course Nether Stowey – thank you.
Seasonal Flu Vaccinations : if you are aged over 65 years, or you are under 65 years old with a medical condition you are entitled for a free seasonal flu vaccination, if you feel you fall into this group please phone the Surgery on 732696 to check and book an appointment.
If you feel unwell and call the GP or NHS111 they may ask you is you have a blood pressure monitor at home, this is a really useful piece of medical equipment you can buy (approx. £30) and keep in your home to use, as well as a pulse oxygen monitor (pulse oximeter approx. £20). This is particularly helpful if you are concerned about leaving your home, and reducing your risk of picking up a virus.
There is a good website : www.germdefence.org which is evidence based and easy to understand information on reducing the spread of covid in your day to day choices and way of living.
If you are self-isolating or need extra support, contact:
- Somerset Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275to be put in touch with local groups who can help with fetching shopping, medication and other essentials supplies, as well as other mutual aid. The helpline is open 7 days a week between 8am and 6pm.
- Some other useful helplines are:
- The Somerset Mindline is open 24 hours a day for mental health and emotional wellbeing support – 01823 276 892.
- Samaritans 24 hour support line 116 123
- Papyrus If you are concerned about a young person who may have suicidal thoughts 0800 068 4141
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Offering support to males of any age 0800 58 58 58
Covid Vaccinations At the time of writing this, the plans for vaccinating communities have not been confirmed, however we will be expected to work with the Bridgwater Practices in the first instance and patients will be expected to travel to a vaccination centre in Bridgwater or Taunton. Patients are likely to be vaccinated in age groups of higher risk first. You will receive a letter from Central Government when the plans have been agreed and we will communicate with patients as soon as we are able to, and try to work with NHS to make sure our populations health needs are met throughout this campaign.
Helen Stacey Practice Manager
