Noticeboard

Musters Medical Practice will be closed on Thursday 25th November from 12.00 for staff training. Please call 111 for medical assistance or 999 in a medical emergency. We will re-open on Friday 26th November. We apologise for any inconvenience, thanks.

BOOSTER DOSE ELIGIBILITY

Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had 2 doses of a vaccine.

This includes:

people aged 50 and over
people who live and work in care homes
frontline health and social care workers
people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
carers aged 16 and over
people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

You will be offered a booster dose 6 months (182 days) after you had your 2nd dose.

You will be contacted to let you know when it’s your turn to have a booster dose.

Where to book your booster vaccination:

Across Rushcliffe GP practices and services are working together to provide a local booster vaccination programme. This includes local GP Practices, hospital hubs, vaccination centres, pharmacy-led sites and a vaccination bus where you can get your vaccination if you are eligible.

How to book your vaccination:

There are a number of ways for you to book your booster vaccination:

National Vaccination Program - You may have received an NHS letter from the National Covid teams, inviting you to book at a vaccine centre. Book or manage a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or you can call 119 to book an appointment, if you are eligible.

How you can help:

Make sure your contact details are up to date – mobile phone number / email
Have your NHS number available
Please don’t contact your GP practice, await your invite. You will be invited in priority order

Please Note: You will only be eligible for your booster vaccination 182 days (6 months) after your 2^nd dose.

Third doses for people who are immunosuppressed

People who were immunosuppressed at the time of their 1^st / 2^nd Covid-19 vaccination may require a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine – this is not a booster. It is a third dose to ensure that such people receive the same protection given by two doses for those with normal immune systems.

Letters are being sent from specialist teams at the hospitals to invite those eligible to receive their vaccine. People who are eligible can then walk into any of our vaccination sites with their eligibility letter to receive this third dose. Please note, you will still need to receive a booster dose six months from the date of your third primary course dose.

If a person believes they are eligible for this third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, but have not been contacted by the specialist team from the hospital they can contact their GP or hospital consultant to discuss eligibility and provision of an appropriate letter.

Covid-19 guidance following 19^th July 2021

Following the government’s announcement to reduce Covid-19 restrictions as of 19^th July 2021, it will still be mandatory to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing within Musters Medical Practice. This is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and our patients, some of which are extremely vulnerable.

This guidance will be subject to regular review, with the safety of staff and patients paramount to this decision.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your understanding during this time.

For advice on how to book a Covid-19 vaccination or request a test, please see: nhs.uk/covid-19

For current Covid-19 restrictions, please see: gov.uk/covid-19

Data Choices

Your Data Matters to the NHS

Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How your data is used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.

You have a choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. There are currently two types of data opt-outs:

Type 1 - which relates to medical records held at the GP Practice

If you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care, you can complete the Type 1 opt-out form and return it to the practice so that it can be recorded on your records. Type 1 Opt-Out Form

Type 2 - which relates to information held by NHS Digital

Type 2 have now been replaced by a national opt-out. Therefore, if you do not want NHS Digital to share confidential information that has been collected from across the health and care service for purposes other than your individual care, you can opt-out online at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or via the telephone service on: 0300 303 5678.

Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?

No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:

the NHS App which you can download from app stores
the NHS website

It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use this service.

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had 2 vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel abroad in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.

When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get proof of your vaccination status before you leave.

There is also a link for you to add to websites for a guide on how to use the app

How to Register - Notts NHS App

Rushcliffe PCN Covid Vaccination Team

GP practices and services across Rushcliffe are working together to provide a local Covid Vaccination and booster programme. Vaccination Clinics will be available at designated GP practices that Rushcliffe patients can access. A team has been developed to support this service for all GP practices across Rushcliffe.

Covid Vaccinations 1st & 2nd doses

If you haven’t received your 1st or 2nd dose Covid Vaccination you can contact the Rushcliffe PCN Covid Vaccination Team to book an appointment.

Email: ruccg.rushcliffe-boosterprogramme@nhs.net

Booster Eligibility Guidance

Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had 2 doses of a vaccine.

This includes:

· people aged 50 and over

· people who live and work in care homes

· frontline health and social care workers

· people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19

· carers aged 16 and over

· people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

You will be eligible for a booster dose 6 months (182 days) after you had your 2nd dose.

Please be assured that you will be contacted when it’s your turn to have a booster dose. We are encouraging patients to wait for their invites and not to contact the surgery.

How you can help:

· Please wait for your invitation and only contact your GP Practice to update your details; mobile number / email. You will be invited in priority order

· If you have any difficulties booking an appointment when you receive the vaccination invite link, please email; ruccg.rushcliffe-boosterprogramme@nhs.net and the vaccination team will be happy to help

Please Note: You will only be eligible for your booster vaccination 182 days (6 months) after your 2nd dose.

Where to book your Covid Vaccination or booster:

There are a number of ways to book a Covid Vaccination. GP practices and services across Rushcliffe are working together to provide a local covid vaccination and booster programme. Designated practices will hold regular clinics that all Rushcliffe patients can access. These clinics will be invitation only. So please wait to receive an invite before attending.

You can also access hospital hubs, vaccination centres, pharmacy-led sites and a vaccination bus where you can get your vaccination if you are eligible.

How to book your vaccination:

Rushcliffe PCN Vaccination Team will send you an invite on behalf of your GP practice for a booster vaccination. You will receive an invite via text message with a link to available clinics, appointment times and instructions on how to book at one of the clinics being run at the GP practices, that are working together in Rushcliffe.

If you would like to access the hospital hubs, vaccination centres etc then once you have received your invite you can book direct using the link below or call 119 Book or manage a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Covid Vaccine Third doses for People Who are Immunosuppressed

People who were immunosuppressed at the time of their 1st / 2nd Covid-19 vaccination may require a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine – this is not a booster. It is a third dose to ensure that such people receive the same protection given by two doses for those with normal immune systems. Letters are being sent from specialist teams at the hospitals to invite those eligible to receive their vaccine. People who are eligible can then walk into any of the vaccination sites with their eligibility letter to receive this third dose. Please note, you will still need to receive a booster dose six months from the date of your third primary course dose. If a person believes they are eligible for this third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, but have not been contacted by the specialist team from the hospital they can contact their GP or hospital consultant to discuss eligibility and provision of an appropriate letter.

Stay Alert - Control The Virus - Save Lives

As part of safeguarding patients and staff, patients are only permitted to enter the practice building if they are wearing a face mask. Although not a substitute for social distancing the use of face masks by both patients and staff will help to protect and manage the risk of further spread of the virus. The NHS is not able to provide masks for patients who are expected to obtain them themselves before coming to the building. Further guidance on staying safe outside your home and in the workplace can be found on the gov.uk website.

We have now reintroduced the option for patients to make face to face appointments to see a doctor. Some of these appointments can be booked up to two weeks in advance whilst others will only be made available to be booked on that day.

If you telephone the practice for an appointment a receptionist may ask you to consider whether your reason to see a doctor or nurse could be dealt with over the telephone or whether it needs a face to face appointment. If you feel the problem can be dealt with over the phone you will be offered a telephone consultation with either a doctor or nurse.

From 4th October 2021 we are also reintroducing the ability for patients to book face to face appointments online via the NHS app or the Patient Access app as well as through this website.

The facility to order prescriptions online remains unchanged.

Coronavirus: (Covid-19) - The following information is up to date as of September 2021

The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff.

If you or anyone you live with have symptoms such as a high temperature (greater that 37.8C) or a new continuous cough, you should ring 119 to arrange a test for Covid-19. You should stay at home for 14 days or until you hear that your test is negative.

Do not go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. If symptoms persist or worsen use the on-line 111 coronavirus service at 111.nhs.uk

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the hospital and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If you need a sick note for your employer as a result of having to self isolate because of coronavirus DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY but go to the 111 website to get your own fit note

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/