TO ALL OF OUR PATIENTS
Dear Patient
We are all excited to hear that there is real progress on a Covid vaccine and that this should improve the quality of life for all of us.
We know that you, like us, are struggling with the confines imposed upon us all due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Everyone is trying to make the best of the situation and, as a practice, we are committed to caring for you in the best possible way whilst keeping both you and our team safe.
To keep you as informed as possible, we will update these messages frequently as we become aware of more information from NHS England:
- Some hospitals have now received the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine. Nationally, supplies are very limited at the moment, so they will need to be strictly prioritised in line with national guidance.
- We do not know which hospitals have received these vaccines, but we do know that they are distributed across the country.
- We are waiting to hear if there is going to be a large vaccination site locally to us.
- The 2 other Covid vaccines that are in development and have not yet been licensed to be used on patients in the UK – but we are expecting them to be licensed very soon.
- The expectation is still that the vaccinations will not start for most people until 2021 and it will take some time to vaccinate everyone who is eligible. Work is underway to prepare for the roll-out and good progress is being made.
- The Covid Vaccination Programme is moving very fast at the moment. As soon as we have some information that will affect us and our patients, we will announce it here on our website.
Meanwhile, we all need to keep to the advice of hand-washing, face masks and social distancing but we all look forward to the time when we will return to life as normal.
Thank you for your patience
Drs Seiger and Poole
07.12.20
From 1st December if you are aged between 50-64 you will entiltied to a free flu vaccination. Please contact the surgery after 12 noon to make an appointment.
Phlebotomy Service - change of location November 2020
The phlebotomy service offered jointly for the 3 Ryde practices has moved location. It is no longer at Westridge as is now provided from Tower House Surgery, Rink Road, Ryde. Please still telephone your own surgery to make an appointment for this clinic.
2020 GP Patient survey results
https://gp-patient.co.uk/compare?practices=J84008
Covid-19 – The compulsory wearing of a face covering in shops/public transport
The introduction of the requirement for people to wear a face covering whilst in a shop or on public transport is intended to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
There are certain groups of people who are exempt from this requirement and they include:
- children under the age of 11,
- those with breathing difficulties or
- those who are travelling with someone who relies on lip reading.
These groups of people, their parents or guardians are able to indicate the reason, if required, as to why they are not wearing a face covering.
General practice is under considerable pressure as a direct result of the current challenges they are faced with delivering a service to patients at the same time as coping with the consequences of this virus.
There is no requirement for general practice to issue letters for patients who are unable to wear face coverings, as the Government have clearly defined the exemptions to this requirement.
General practice needs to focus all its time and effort managing those who need their help and not be diverted from this by unnecessary tasks.
You are able to print your own exemption cards if you so wish and these can be accessed via the following link: https://www.keepsafe.org.uk/card
Where you are unable to socially distance we would encourage you to consider wearing a face mask/covering, it isn’t a fix all, but it will significantly reduce the risk of catching the virus for millions of people.
Many thanks for your help and support in this matter.
Patients are required to wear a clean face covering whilst in the surgery.
• It is our expectation that patients arrive for a planned appointment with a clean suitable face covering.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.
• Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose.
• Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched.
• Face coverings do not replace social distancing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, and/or high temperature, and/or loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste – anosmia), you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this.
• Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly.
Wearing a fabric face covering
• A cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably.
• You should wash a face covering regularly. It can go in with other laundry, using your normal detergent.
• When wearing a face covering, take care to tuck away any loose ends.
Purchasing a face covering
• Many retailers are now selling face coverings.
• Please do not buy medical grade masks, these are for health care professionals only.
Making your own face covering
The Department for Health have published guidance on how to make your own face covering. Please see the link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
NHS Diabetes Advice - Helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic
Diabetes Advice Line - click here for more information
You can access NHS Diabetes Advice via Diabetes UK’s support line on 0345 123 2399 Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm.
Cervical Screening Scam
We have received reports of a possible scam. Some women are being contacted by text message, claiming to be from the call and recall service to advise they are overdue for screening. The message asks them to call a mobile number and provide personal details.
These messages are not from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.
If you receive one of these messages, please report it to the Action Fraud Line on 0300 123 2040 or via their online reporting tool: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime
Covid -19 and children - click on link below
Useful information and links
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and your information
The ICO recognises the unprecedented challenges the NHS and other health professionals are facing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The ICO also recognise that 'Public bodies may require additional collection and sharing of personal data to protect against serious threats to public health.'
The Government have also taken action in respect of this and on 20th March 2020 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care issued a Notice under Regulation 3(4) of The Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 requiring organisations such as GP Practices to use your information to help GP Practices and other healthcare organisations to respond to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to look after your healthcare needs during this difficult time, we may urgently need to share your personal information, including medical records, with clinical and non-clinical staff who belong to organisations that are permitted to use your information and need to use it to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. This could (amongst other measures) consist of either treating you or a member of your family and enable us and other healthcare organisations to monitor the disease, assess risk and manage the spread of the disease.
Please be assured that we will only share information and health data that is necessary to meet yours and public healthcare needs.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has also stated that these measures are temporary and will expire on 30th September 2020 unless a further extension is required. Any further extension will be will be provided in writing and we will communicate the same to you. Please also note that the data protection and electronic communication laws do not stop us from sending public health messages to you, either by phone, text or email as these messages are not direct marketing. It may also be necessary, where the latest technology allows us to do so, to use your information and health data to facilitate digital consultations and diagnoses and we will always do this with your security in mind.
If you are concerned about how your information is being used, please contact our DPO using the contact details provided on the Privacy Notice tab on the side.
Corona Virus Update - latest advice from the government
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
For patients concerned that they may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances. These can be accessed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
Prescribing of over the counter medicines
The Isle of Wight CCG has been actively implementing NHS England Guidance around reducing the prescribing of over the counter medicines
The NHS has been spending around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as paracetamol. By reducing the amount the NHS spends on over the counter medicines, we can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.
Patient Leaflet
Free STI testing kits
You won't know if you (or one of your partners) have an STI, because they often show no symptoms - yet can lead to serious health problems and are a leading cause of infertility. The good news is that it is free and easy to get you home STI test. Just click the link below:
https://www.freetest.me/
Your Data Matters to the NHS
In May 2018 the strict rules about how data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used. You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.
To find out more visit: nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 303 5678
Improving access to general practice: evening and weekend appointments now available
Patients who are registered at this practice can now book an appointment to see a GP or nurse on weekday evenings (after 6.30pm) or at the weekends (on Saturday and Sunday). Appointments will either take place at this practice or at another NHS setting nearby. Talk to the practice receptionist to find out more or book an appointment.
By March 2019 everyone in England will benefit from access to general practice appointments in the evenings and weekends at a time that is most convenient to them. This is part of a national drive to help improve access to general practice and get the best possible outcomes for patients. Further information is available at www.england.nhs.uk/gpaccess
Isle of Wight Advanced Access Information - please click for more information
CQC - we are pleased to announce that following a recent inspection in May 2018 that we have been awarded a 'Good' rating once again.
CHIE
The Care and Health Information Exchange (CHIE) CHIE is a secure system which shares health and social care information from GP surgeries (including our own practice), hospitals, community and mental health, social services and others. It helps professionals across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding areas provide safer and faster treatment for you and your family. We feel the many benefits include: • Help in ensuring that you only have to tell your story once • Reducing delays to your treatment – such as the need to reduce blood tests • Making sure the GPs, nurses and others involved in your care know about your medical history. To protect your privacy and confidentiality, only health and social care professionals who are involved in your care are allowed access to your record and can identify you from it. Your information is also used to improve future care for you, your family and for other patients. This helps plan NHS services and supports medical research. To keep your information safe it is moved to a separate database called ‘Care and Health Information Analytics’ (CHIA) and changed so that it cannot be used to identify you. People who analyse data on CHIA do not have access to CHIE, so cannot identify you.
You have the right to opt out of having your data on CHIE for your care or CHIA for health planning and research. If you want to do this, please speak to your practice or contact the CHIE team directly at info.chie@nhs.net or phoning 0300 123 1519. You can also visit www.CHIE.org.uk for further information
CHIE Leaflet
National Diabetes Audit:
helping to reduce diabetes and improve diabetes care
This GP practice is taking part in an important national project about people at risk of diabetes and diabetes care and treatment in the NHS. The project is called the National Diabetes Audit (NDA).
If you have diabetes, non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes, your GP practice will share information about your diabetes care and treatment with the NDA. The type of information, and how it is shared, is controlled by law and enforced by strict rules of confidentiality and security.
For further information about how your data is used, please see the NDA patient information leaflet.
Taking part in the NDA shows that this GP practice is committed to reducing diabetes and improving care for people with diabetes.
If you do not want your information to be used, please inform the receptionist, your GP or nurse. This will not affect your care.
More information is available, please click this link for a patient information leaflet
NDA Patient leaflet
Shingles vaccination who’s eligible?
Aged years 70?
Plus anyone in their 70s who was born after 1 September 1942 and has not yet had the vaccine.
Aged years 78 ?
Plus anyone aged 79 years old who has missed out on the vaccine.
Protect yourself from the pain of shingles – speak to your GP surgery about having your vaccine today! https://www.shinglesaware.co.uk/
If the answer is yes, you may be entitled to a Shingles vaccination. This vaccination is only needed once so if you had it previously, you will not need to have it again. Please contact the surgery to make an appointment with the nurse.
Shingles leaflet
Isle Find It - website directory of services.
http://www.islefindit.org.uk/