Category: Practice News

Second COVID19 Vaccinations

We are now starting to call patients for their 2nd dose COVID vaccinations.

If you had your Pfizer vaccine in mid-January, you should receive a text from our colleagues at Millbrook Surgery or a phone call from us to book your appointment for your second dose in the next day or two.

Clinics are Wednesday to Saturday this week at our GP practice hub at Wincanton Community Hospital. As before, please wear a mask, arrive on time for your appointment and you will need to be observed for 15 minutes after your vaccination. If you’ve had another vaccination (eg flu or shingles) within the last 14 days you should not have your COVID vaccination and do not attend the clinic if you have Covid symptoms.

If you have any difficulties booking your appointment, please contact us at the surgery.

The national programme asks patients to return to the site of their first dose for their second vaccination. All patients will be contacted for their second dose – timing will depend on the delivery of vaccines to us, and which vaccines we receive. Patients should be contacted around week 10-11 so please don’t panic if you’re reached week 9 and haven’t heard yet.

The practice team is working extremely hard to co-ordinate and deliver this programme across the 5 practices and with the clinic at a separate site. So far, we’ve delivered about 12,000 vaccinations which has been an amazing effort by all staff and volunteers.

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

Introducing Birthday Recalls for Chronic Disease Management

From 1 April 2021, we are changing when we invite patients for their annual review of certain medical conditions to your birthday month.

If you have a long term condition such as Diabetes or Asthma, you will receive an invitation to book your annual review with the practice during your birthday month either by text or letter asking you to contact the practice.  When you do, our Reception Team will identify the appointments you need to support your care.

A blood test appointment is required for certain conditions, and this will include a mini-health screen which will include your height, weight, pulse check, blood pressure, waist circumference and lifestyle information.  For diabetic patients you will also be offered a foot check as ensuring good circulation to your feet is essential to maintaining your good health.  his will provide us with general information about your health to monitor your care.

If appropriate to your condition, you will be offered an annual review discussion with a Practice Nurse or GP/Advanced Nurse Practitioner.  Due to COVID precautions this will be carried out by telephone or video call though may return to face to face consultations later in the year.  Covid-19 precautions remain in place in line with national guidance to maintain a safe place for patients to attend for face to face appointments and for staff to continue to provide safe care.

You may find that the period from your last review to your next review is more or less than 12 months as this enables us to transition to birthday month reviews over 2021/22.  If you have any concerns about your condition before or after your annual review, please contact us via AskMyGP or by telephone to request a consultation.

Covid-19 Plasma Donations requested

NHS Blood and Transplant are seeking plasma donations from patients who have had Covid-19 and are now recovering as part of a research project that could produce vital treatment to save more lives.

All volunteers are welcome, but they are particularly seeking male patients aged 18-65 as they are more likely to have high levels of antibodies against the Covid virus.

If interested, please contact the National Call Centre on 0300 123 2323, or visit Covid-19 Research.