Covid

We, Greystoke and Gas House Lane surgeries are in the process of inviting our younger patients in for their covid vaccination. These will be delivered by our colleagues at

Amble Health Centre, Percy Drive, Amble, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 0HD. There are a variety of dates and times – and obviously, we would encourage all parents to book in as soon as possible please.

Many thanks

5 to 11-year-olds who are in a clinical risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Parents and guardians should wait to be contacted.

Further info

nhs.uk/Covid-Vaccination

Suspected Coronavirus – Isolating at Home Guidance: Attachment 1 – Isolating at Home – Generic 30-07-21

Sunflower lanyards
The sunflower lanyard is a discreet way for adults and children with hidden disabilities to show that they need additional support or just a little bit more time. Furthermore, if you see someone with an ‘exempt’ card – this indicates that they have a hidden disability and have a reasonable excuse not to wear a face-covering.

Flu & Covid Booster Update

We are busy preparing for the flu vaccination season – sessions expected to start mid September and we’ll make contact with patients we have ordered a flu vaccine in for. It is expected that flu groups will be similar to last year and patients will be called in, in order of priority. More information to follow on this.

We, along with Gas House Lane surgery, are planning on delivering Covid Boosters from Morpeth NHS centre. Again, this is in the early stages and more information will follow, but please be assured, our aim will be to ensure patients are vaccinated just as soon as we can access booster vaccines.

We hope to be able to give the flu vaccine and the Covid Booster at the same time, but await confirmation from NHS England that this is the national policy.

Guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Updated 20 July 2021)

The Government highlights that those who are CEV may wish to take the following actions:

Consider the risks of close contact with others:

in crowded spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious
in enclosed indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air
when COVID-19 disease levels are high in the general community

Take steps to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. For example, they could:

meet outside if possible – the particles containing the virus that causes COVID-19 are quickly blown away which makes it less likely that they will be breathed in by another person
make sure the space is well ventilated if you meet inside; open windows and doors or take other action to let in plenty of fresh air – please see the COVID-19: ventilation of indoor spaces guidance for more information
consider whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated – you might want to wait until 14 days after everyone’s second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before being in close contact with others
wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face
consider continuing to practice social distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
asking friends and family to take a lateral flow test before visiting you
ask home visitors to wear face coverings

The following link may also be of interest:

https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/immune-system-diseases/immune-suppression#nav-12

Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)

(this is different to rapid lateral flow tests – which are only for people who do not have symptoms).

https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test (please click on this link to arrange test)

If you have any of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, use this service to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as possible:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changedIf you have symptoms, you and everyone you live with must immediately self-isolate. Do not leave home until you get your test results, except to post a test kit or for a PCR test appointment. You can also use this service if:
Getting a PCR test if you have no symptoms
You should not use this service if you’ve received a positive PCR test result in the last 90 days, unless you develop any new symptoms.
You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site.

you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive
you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council or someone from NHS Test and Trace
a GP or other health professional has asked you to get a test
you’re taking part in a government pilot project
you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result
you’ve received an unclear result and were told to get a second test
you need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms
you’re in the National Tactical Response Group We are extremely proud to announce that, as of the 15th June 2021, Well Up North has administered over 79,000 Covid vaccinations to our North Northumberland patients.We still have thousands of vaccinations to administer across our Primary Care Network and in order to meet this demand we will be upscaling our Berwick Hub to a ‘Mass Vaccination Site’. This means the Well Close Surgery Vaccination Centre will relocate to The Swan Centre (also in Berwick) from early July. We will also continue to deliver vaccinations across the Network area.Our 12 Practices continue to see patients face to face as we have done throughout the pandemic. To ensure patient safety and that of our practice teams, you may be required to have an initial telephone consultation first with any further arrangement, such as a face to face appointment, then being made if needed. You will be able to see your GP, Nurse or other Healthcare Professional face to face if there is a clinical need.
The widely known symptoms of Covid-19 are;
Covid cases are continuing to rise across Northumberland and within our area, with a significant proportion of cases being the ‘Delta’ Variant. It is vital that patients attend their vaccination appointment – the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of getting and of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19.
Over 74% of our patient population have now received both their first and second vaccine doses.
*COVID-19 UPDATE*
a high temperature

a new, continuous cough
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
There are, however, additional symptoms associated with the Delta Variant – Please familiarise yourself with them.

Sore Throat
Runny Nose
HeadacheOur ability to achieve what we have has only been possible because of the cooperation and support from all of our wonderful patients. Please take this as a huge thank you from us for that and continue to follow Government and Public Health advice to stay safe.
Well Up North
You can request a free covid test if you think you might have symptoms by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/…/testing/get-tested-for-coronavirus/

How to access your COVID-19 vaccination statusWe recommend that you register with the app before booking international travel.*** Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine. We expect the letter to take up to 5 days to reach you.
You can access your COVID-19 vaccination status through the free NHS App from 17 May. You can access the app through mobile devices such as a smartphone or by tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will be shown within the NHS App.

Unpaid Carers

The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) has included unpaid carers on the vaccination priority list (UK wide) in group 6. Many carers will be in a group higher up the list due to age if they are over 65. You can find the list of groups here. As background, you may also be interested in reading our press release.

https://www.carersuk.org/…/coronavir…/covid-vaccine-faqs

(list of groups): https://www.gov.uk/…/why-you-have-to-wait-for-your…

(press release): https://www.carersuk.org/…/carers-uk-welcomes-new-jcvi…

Anyone living or working in the county can be a Northumberland Community Champion, this includes residents, workplace representatives and community and voluntary groups.

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Community-Champions.aspx

Free PPE for unpaid carers

Unpaid carers across the country who do not live with the people they care for can now benefit from free PPE through a new national scheme, the government has confirmed.

https://www.gov.uk/govern…/news/free-ppe-for-unpaid-carers

ALNWICK COVID VACCINE SITE

Here is Tony Brown from AMG/Northumberland CCG with a guide for patients going to Alnwick Cricket Club for the vaccine

Important notes

– only turn up if you have an appointment

– do not turn up more than five minutes before your allocated time

– not everyone has been invited so if you haven’t had a call yet please DO NOT call your practice – this will be a mammoth operation over the coming months

– the teams are taken from local practices meaning it will be harder to get through to them on vaccine days

– DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID SYMPTOMS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KsgOezgDT0&feature=youtu.be

Covid Vaccines – An Update from Well Up North Primary Care Network

Well Up North Primary Care Network are pleased to announce that we will begin offering Covid Vaccinations from next week!

All 12 practices within our network have been working exceptionally hard and within a very short timescale to book almost 3000 appointments for our first cohort of patients. Every appointment has been booked by telephone call with practice teams across the network and will continue through the Christmas and Bank Holiday period.

Please do not contact your practice about the vaccine. This helps to keep phone lines clear and allows practice teams to continue to provide care for patients who need it most. We are using the same members of the team who would usually answer your calls and we thank you for giving us the time we need to do this.

We will continue to contact patients when it is time for them to have their vaccine – There are national guidelines in place which prioritise the order in which we call patients for their vaccinations.

Please check NHS and government websites for the latest news

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Our hub sites will be manned on the most part by healthcare professionals from your practice.

As a result of this, there will likely be reduced or limited capacity for routine appointments if you contact your surgery. Many practices within the network area will be operating an “urgent only” system whilst their teams are vaccinating.

On Dec 23rd, we were made aware that there may be a delay with our vaccine delivery – originally scheduled for Monday 28th and now rescheduled for Tuesday 29th. As such, there may unfortunately be some patients whose appointments may need to be cancelled or rearranged due to delays with the vaccine delivery.

This is entirely beyond our control, vaccine deliveries are arranged nationally by NHS England.

We are working hard to get confirmation of our delivery times to ensure a little impact on patients and practice teams as possible – we will be working over the holiday period to ensure the sites are as ready as possible on the 29th

Vaccine Hub Site Locations;

Well Close Medical Group – Berwick-Upon-Tweed

Alnwick Cricket Club – Alnwick

Amble Health Centre – Amble

Do not arrive without an appointment and please don’t turn up more than five minutes early to your appointment – space is limited, its very cold, we don’t want our patients waiting unnecessarily and have a plan to move people through the vaccine sites in a systematic and safe way.

Thank you for reading, please pass to anyone you think may be interested, please don’t call the NHS for your vaccine – we WILL be in touch.

Well Up North

Morpeth – Greystoke, Gas House Lane

Felton

Widdrington

Coquet

Rothbury

Alnwick

Belford

Wooler – Cheviot, Glandale

Berwick – Union Brae, Well Close

Northumberland CCG animation video – The CCG is pleased to showcase this short animation to highlight the amazing work being undertaken in primary care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The animation also contains key messages to patients on what they can expect when accessing primary care. Link to video: https://youtu.be/zOVwUBACF4Y

Shielding and local lockdowns information

Most of the country have not been asked to shield since 31 July 2020. If you are extremely clinically vulnerable and live or work in a LOCAL LOCKDOWN AREA you will need to take steps to shield. https://digital.nhs.uk/…/s…/shielding-and-statutory-sick-pay

Your Covid Recovery is a new NHS website designed to help people recover from the long-term effects of COVID-19 and support them to manage their recovery. It includes information from rehabilitation experts about how to manage ongoing symptoms and health needs at home, and signposts to sources of support. https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

New Guidance on Face Coverings and When to Wear: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Guidance re Increased Isolation Periods from 7 days to 10 days: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Covid-19 symptom self-management below – Patients can now be provided with expert information and advice on how COVID-19 impacts their specific palliative or long-term condition and how they should manage it during the pandemic. These conditions are listed below:

As you will be aware patients with symptoms of Coronavirus can now access testing. If you wish to do so please visit nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119. Please follow the link to access guidance as to how the tests work and what they mean.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work/for-patients-the-public-and-professional-users-a-guide-to-covid-19-tests-and-testing-kits

Please find attached letter which may be of use to our patients, focussing on health, well-being and practical help: Greystoke Wellbeing Information and Guidance Letter Covid 19

Sick children: There have been concerns raised that parents are not presenting ill children (other than COVID) to 111 service, A&E or primary care. The following information has been produced by the Royal college of Paediatrics and Child Health to assist parents https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/covid19_advice_for_parents_when_child_unwell_or_injured_poster.pdf

Mental wellbeing and keeping safe during the coronavirus outbreak: sources of advice and support : COVID-19 suicide prevention and mental health support March 2020

COVID 19 AND SAFEGUARDING

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.

Childline 0800 1111: Offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry.

MIND: Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’. www.mind.org.uk

YoungMinds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus.

https://youngminds.org.uk

ICON: Babies cry: You can cope. http://iconcope.org/

SafeLives: Specific resources for domestic abuse and COVID. http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domesticabuse-and-covid-19

IRISi interventions: irisi.org/iris/find-your-local-iris-site/

North East Regional Special Operations Unit Notification

Numerous phone call scams are circulating. Scammers use these calls to steal your money and other information from you. Please see link: Scam-phone-calls-

Patients at highest risk of COVID – Patient enquiries

NHS Digital has identified and has already written to a number of patients considered at highest risk of Covid.

Patients who think they should be considered ‘High Risk’ are invited to self-refer using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

NHS Digital is collating these registrations nationally and will inform all practices of those patients directly, by providing a list for practices to consider adding.

COVID-19 Northumberland Community Response: Please follow this link for local support: https://bit.ly/39fvDgs

NCC – Safeguarding adults info for self-isolating

Please follow link to access isolation note – patients to complete and download themselves – many thanks https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are 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 while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The Chief Medical Officer has announced that the country is moving into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus from Friday, 13th March 2020.

The new advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is as follows:

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

a high temperature
a new continuous coughDo not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

your condition gets worse
your symptoms do not get better after 7 daysOnly call 111 if you cannot get help online.Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
Stay At Home advice can be found here
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.
More information can be found on the NHS website here

LINKS – PATIENT INFO CORONAVIRUS

General NHS advice https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Pituitary/ adrenal insufficiency (including steroid sick day rules) https://www.endocrinology.org/news/item/14050/Coronavirus-advice-statement-for-patients-with-adrenal%2fpituitary-insufficiency

Underlying lung disease (British Lung Foundation) https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus

People with Asthma https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

People with Diabetes https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus%3famp.

Sick day rules T1 diabetes https://trend-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/A5_T1Illness_TREND_FINAL.pdf

Sick day rules T2 diabetes https://trend-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/A5_T2Illness_TREND.pdf

People affected by Stroke https://www.stroke.org.uk/news/coronavirus-information-people-affected-stroke

Pregnant women https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

Children/young people T1 diabetes https://jdrf.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-people-living-with-type-1-diabetes/

People with Heart/circulatory disease https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health