FLU VACCINATIONS 20/21

Having a flu jab will not stop you from catching Covid-19, but it will help to prevent you catching flu which can cause serious illness itself. If our hospitals are busy treating patients with Covid-19, we want to try and stop them having to cope with a flu epidemic at the same time.

Over 65's

We have already vaccinated over 89% of local people in this age group. If you are still wishing to be vaccinated please call or send an e-Consult and we will make you an appointment straight away.

18-64 year olds in an "at risk" group

To find out if you are in an "at risk group" click more information about this year's flu vaccination programme.

This vaccine has been in short supply but we have managed to secure an extra supply, so contact us if you are still looking to be vaccinated.

50 - 64 year olds not in an "at risk group"

The Department of Health have just announced that, from 1st December, everyone in this age group will be entitled to a free flu vaccine. We are awaiting further details of vaccine deliveries but will be in touch shortly to let patients in this group know arrangements for vaccination clinics

2-3 year olds

Over 80% of our youngsters have been vaccinated but contact us if you are still looking for your child to have this vaccination.

COVID VACCINATIONS UPDATE

We are still in the planning stages for this. At the moment, it is looking like we might have one of our surgeries acting as a vaccination site but this is not likely to start until after Christmas. We will update you as soon as we have more information ourselves.

THANK YOU FOR WORKING TOGETHER WITH US TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

How can we help you?

Getting the care you need during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Appointments

We are operating a "total triage" system. That means you need to have a discussion with a clinician who will try and help you. If a face to face appointment is needed, they will arrange for this to happen at a time and place which keep you and us safe.

Use our e-consult system at the top of the page - you will get a response the same day - this is the option the doctors would prefer you to use if possible.

Call us and let us know what you need. A doctor or nurse will call you back and video consultations are available too. If you call and our lines are busy, you can send us an email on NEHFCCG.OHG@nhs.net and a Receptionist will call you back.

Face to face appointments are currently happening at Yateley Medical Centre and Hartley Corner Surgery. Patients with Coronavirus symptoms will be seen in our "Hot Zone" at Yateley Medical Centre, separate from other non-symptomatic patients. 

Please do not come into any off our sites without an appointment.

All patients who need to be seen face to face should arrive wearing a face covering, to help keep staff and other patients safe.

Prescriptions

To request a prescription:

• Post your request into our post boxes at any of our sites
• Email us on NEHFCCG.OHG@nhs.net
• Request via Online Access
• Download the NHS App
• Use the e-consult service
• call us (our least favourite option - only as a last resort please !)

Your prescription request, once prescribed, will be sent to your nominated pharmacy for you to collect. Please order in good time, and avoid "urgent prescriptions" whenever possible.

Self Care

If you think you might be able to help yourself, our e-consult system can point you in the right direction. Alternatively, the NHS website www.nhs.uk and the NHS App both have symptom checkers and sensible advice. A particularly good site for concerns about children is www.what0-18.nhs.uk

Routine Care

We are doing our best to provide as many of our services as possible for our patients and being as resourceful as we can in these unprecedented times. The list below is just an indication so e-consult, email or call us to discuss you needs further.

Baby Immunisations - a clinic has been running throughout the pandemic, combining mum and baby's 8 week check with baby's first vaccinations. Pre-school boosters are also taking place as normal.

Blood tests including warfarin monitoring - blood tests are available including those needed for hospital appointments. As a consequence, we are not doing some routine monitoring of patients with stable conditions, who may safely delay these checks under clinical guidance.

Cervical Screening - up and running again -  contact us for an appointment

Diabetes - Specialist Nurse advice available

Family Planning - contact us with your requirements, ideally using e-Consult

Mental Health Support - we recognise the addition strain that many are feeling under lockdown and telephone appointments are available with our Mental Health Practitioners, Tatenda Makombe and Sharon Burns. You can self-refer for free NHS CBT, counselling and therapy contact Talk Plus or for more information about Crisis Services, Learning Disabilities, Services for Older Adults or services for Children and Young People click here

Orthopaedic Practitioners - available for muscular-skeletal advice and guidance - their preference is to be contacted by e-Consult if possible

Respiratory, including Asthma and COPD - Specialist Nurse advice available

Other Concerns

We are aware that some of our patients are concerned about aspects of their health but do not want "to bother the doctors" at such a busy time.

If you have any of the following symptoms, then you should contact us straight away:

• Lumps, bumps or swelling
• Blood in your pee, poo or coughing up blood
• Unexplained pain
• Change in bowel habit
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight loss (unplanned)
• Cough lasting over 3 weeks, especially if you have ever smoked

We are your local GP practice; we’re working very hard and doing things differently but are still here.

If you need our help – contact us!

The NHS test and trace service – be aware of scams

Oakley Health Group has a factsheet for our patients explaining how to spot genuine contacts from the service - and how to avoid scams:

Beware of scams - the NHS Test and Trace service