CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS (INCLUDING BOOSTERS) ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO BE BOOKED THROUGH THE SURGERY.
If you need to book a booster vaccine then you can do so by calling 119 or by clicking on the link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/book-or-manage-a-booster-dose-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/
For 1st, 2nd and 3rd (immunocompromised patients) doses, you can attend any of the walk-in clinics running at the Barnstaple Leisure Centre. Up to date dates and times can be found via the link provided below.
Patients who are having a 3rd dose, you must take your text/letter with you as proof of eligibility.
Please Note: Booster vaccines are not currently available at Walk-In clinics
https://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-north-devon-leisure-centre/
FLU VACCINATIONS
If you have not already been invited for a flu jab and are eligible, please telephone our dedicated Flu Vaccination Booking Line on 01271 442739 to book into one of our surgery clinics throughout November and December. The line is open Monday to Friday 10am - 12pm. We are offering separate clinics for those aged 65 and over, eligible children under the age of 18, and for eligible adults under the age of 65.
If you are not sure if you're eligible, more information can be found by clicking on the link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDfPR)
The data in patient’s medical records at GP practices is used every day to support health and care planning and research in England, helping to find better treatments and improve patient outcomes for everyone. NHS Digital has developed a new way to collect this data, called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.
NHS Digital has engaged with the British Medical Association (BMA), Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and the National Data Guardian (NDG) to ensure relevant safeguards are in place for patients and GP practices.
NHS Digital will not collect patients' names or addresses. Any other data that could directly identify patients (such as NHS Number, date of birth, full postcode) is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.
Further information about the service can be found here.
As a patient, you have the right to opt out of your data being used in this way by completing and signing the Type 1 Data Opt Out Form and returning it to us. To download the opt out form, click here.
You can email your opt-out form to us but it must be signed.
NHS Digital are not setting a specific starting date for the collection of data.
If you have any further queries, please contact Sabrina Maines-Blatherwick or Kate Graddock at the surgery.
eConsult
Online consultations (eConsults) are a quick and simple alternative to visiting your GP practice.
To find out what eConsults are all about and how to do it, then watch the video below:
Note: eConsults are only available from Monday to Friday (08:00 - 18:00).
Here is a quick and simple guide on how to consult with your GP online:
1. Click the blue square below to get started or download the NHS app
2. Fill out the form (it is simple and only takes a few minutes)
You can use it to:
- Ask about an existing condition or new symptoms (it’s important to include as much information about your symptoms as possible)
- Get information about your condition and how to treat yourself
- Discuss a test result and request sick notes.
3. Get a quick response
Once you have submitted the form, we will normally let you know the next step by the end of the next working day. This might be advice on what to do next or we may decide you need a face-to-face appointment. If you want to consult online but don't have access to a device or the internet, a staff member will be happy to help you fill it out on your behalf over the phone.
Quick E-Consult Links:
Online Services
To access your online account to book appointments, request repeat prescriptions and access your medical record, click below:
North Devon Minor Injury Units
The Bideford and Ilfracombe Minor Injury Units are both currently closed.
The units were closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 to allow the highly skilled staff to be redeployed to the emergency department at the North Devon District Hospital; where extra space and staffing was needed to provide a COVID safe service.
As we head into the winter, the staff who moved from the MIUs are still needed to support the ED and maintain the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of patients therefore both units will remain closed until April 2022.
For more information, please click the link below:
https://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/2021/10/update-on-minor-injuries-services-in-northern-devon-2/
Coronavirus Information
What are the symptoms?
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough (You have started coughing repeatedly)
- A loss or change in your sense of taste or smell
What do I do if I have any of the symptoms?
- Get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) to check if you have COVID-19 as soon as possible
- Stay at home and do not have visitors (self-isolate) until you get your test result (only leave your home to have a test)
- Check if the people you live with need to self-isolate
- Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Testing for COVID-19 is not needed if you're staying at home.
Read the advice about staying at home here.
How long do I need to stay at home?
- If you have symptoms, stay at home for 10 days
- If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
- If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term health condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home with someone else, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
NHS 111
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do, only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, your condition gets worse or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
Additional Information:
NHS information about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Sick/fit notes for COVID-19 will be issued via NHS 111 and not via GP surgeries. Please do not ring us for a sick/fit note if you have to self-isolate for 7 or 14 days or have the virus:
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
Government information and advice about COVID-19:
Face Coverings
We encourage patients that are visiting the practice to continue to wear a face covering before entering the surgery as this will prevent any further spread of COVID-19 and keep our patients and staff safe. This also includes children if they are able to.
Wearing a face covering is an added precaution that may have some benefit in reducing the likelihood that a person with the infection passes it on. Evidence shows a face covering can help in reducing the spread of droplets; it stops them from leaving the mouth and nose area and reduces the size of area in which they spread.
Contaminated droplets can also be picked up from surfaces by touch and subsequently from touching the face. It is important people avoid touching their face covering when wearing it where possible to avoid hand to mask transmission of the virus. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing. Regular hand washing remains an important action and do not enter the building if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
Face Covering Exemptions:
Some patients may not be able to manage wearing a face covering due to a disability or certain medical conditions. The Clinicians are not able to provide a letter or certificate to exempt patients from wearing a face covering.
For guidance on how to get exemption documents and how make to make your own face covering, click the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Menopause - Balance App
Menopause is inevitable, how you handle it isn't.
The new balance app is there to offer support with the menopause, it is inclusive and accessible to all women, trans and non-binary people:
https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
Disability hate crime has a profound effect on people’s lives.
Independent Advisor Julie Adnams Hatch has first-hand experience of a hate crime and shared her story with us:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1448603391198998538
The Fern Centre, North Devon's Cancer and Wellbeing Centre
The Fern Centre is based at the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple. They offer support for patients with cancer as well as their loved ones by providing a dedicated space for therapies, care and advice in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
It is run by specialist staff and trained volunteers.
It is entirely funded by charitable contributions raised by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust charity Over and Above.
For more information and to see the full list of services and support they can offer, please visit their website:
www.overandabove.org.uk/fern-centre/
Intercom Trust
Intercom Trust are an LGBT+ charity based across the South West that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ people (as well as their friends and families). They are able to provide help and support to anyone that is struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity and they recognise the difficulties that many isolated or vulnerable LGBT+ people face accessing services, especially during these challenging times.
If you are aware of anyone that may benefit from the support of Intercom Trust or you would like to refer someone directly to their service, please follow this link: https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/help/referral
Their helpline is also open from 09:00 - 16:00 (Monday to Friday) and can be reached on 0800 612 3010.
Lung Cancer
More information can also be found in this leaflet by clicking here.
Inhaler Users
Fremington Medical Centre is absolutely committed to doing what we can to help the environment and to be part of the solution to the climate emergency we are facing.
Approximately 73 million inhalers are used in the UK every year.
Landfill disposal of inhalers is harmful to the environment both in material waste and in greenhouse gas emissions as the residual gas from canisters is released into the atmosphere.
If every inhaler user in the UK returned all of their inhalers for one year this could save 512,330 tonnes of CO2eq, this is the same as a VW Golf car being driven around the world 88,606 times.
The only environmentally safe way to dispose of inhalers is through thermal treatment, such as incineration. This won't happen if people just pop their inhalers in the bin at home.
Instead, can we encourage all of our patients, wherever possible to please return their used inhalers to pharmacies so that they can be destroyed safely.
Samaratins
Cancer Care Car Service
Have you or somebody you know been diagnosed with cancer and are struggling to get to hospital appointments for essential treatment?
Go North Devon have a team of friendly drivers who are on hand to get you to your vital chemotherapy and oncology appointments at NDDH and other hospitals in the North Devon area.
For more information please call them on 01271 328866, they would love to help!
AccEPT Clinic
The AccEPT Clinic is an NHS funded psychological therapies service in Exeter offering Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for adults who have had depression in the past and are looking for ways to stay well. MBCT is a nationally recommended treatment for recurrent depression, and we are a centre of excellence in the UK, running for 12 years now. We are the main local provider of MBCT serving the Mid, East and North of Devon, as well as being a centre for high-quality research and training in MBCT in the UK. The Service is free to all patients in the NEW Devon catchment area and patients can either be referred by their GP or you can direct patients to refer themselves. We run groups regularly throughout the year so referrals are always open. In usual times we run face to face groups in Exeter, East, Mid and North Devon but currently our courses are online via Zoom.
For further information, visit the website:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/mooddisorders/acceptclinic/
Breastfeeding
Fremington Medical Centre is proud to be breast feeding friendly.
People have the right to breastfeed anywhere, but we want new parents to feel relaxed, welcomed and supported if they choose to feed their baby whilst with us.
If you would like some privacy whilst you feed then please let one of our team know who will do their best to provide you with a private area.
Breastfeeding can have its challenges, as can lots of aspects of being a new parent. If you want to find out more about what support is available, please ask our reception team or the clinician you have an appointment with on the day.
Talkworks
Talkworks are running regular, free, one-off workshops called "TALKWORKS for challenging times".
This workshop has been developed as a result of the current COVID-19 situation (although is not specifically about Covid) and covers strategies for wellbeing. It is a 2 hour workshop which covers things like worry, managing routines and sleep. It may also be a useful space for people to reflect and consider whether the service can support them in other ways, and has been a useful opportunity for many people to go on and book a one-to-one assessment with one of our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
For more information visit:
https://www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk/nhs-mental-health-support/sleep-and-wellbeing-workshops
Physiotherapy
