PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY FOR CORONAVIRUS NEWS

Please be aware that the Spring Booster campaign finished on 30 June 2023

The next likely booster will be Autumn 2023 and likely to be aligned to the annual flu campaign. We will aim to confirm this once details have been published

A lot of patients are either coming in or ringing us asking for a GP letter. You do not need this.

Everyone who is eligible will be contacted by NHSE - by SMS or email or letter - when they are able to make an appointment.

The government advice (click on the box above) has all the most up-to-date information. By contacting us it is adding to a busy workload and becoming frustrating for patients.

LONG COVID

The time it takes for someone to get better from COVID varies from person to person.
Long COVID means your symptoms carry on for over 4 weeks after your COVID infection and you might even have new health problems. If you have long COVID, you may experience lots of different symptoms that can change over time.

If you think you might have Long Covid please have a look at the NHS website for information and advice - including when to access medical help.

Click here or type https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/i-think-i-have-long-covid/ into your browers to access the website.

Government advice website : Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do

Link to NHS website to check if you have any covid symptoms

Update: 25.02.22 - Vaccination Data Resolution Service (VDRS) and Overseas Vaccines Validation Service

If a patient had their vaccinations in England but there is an error on their record, or they have an incomplete record, they should call 119 and ask to be referred to the VDRS.

Over 16s who have had one or more COVID-19 vaccinations abroad that are approved by the World Health Organisation can book an appointment at a vaccination site to show evidence of their vaccinations and request an update to their record.

Guidance on how individuals can access VDRS can be found via this link:

https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/vaccine-record-help/

The VDRS can also be contacted by calling 119, selecting option 1 (‘England’) and then option 4 (‘To report an issue with their vaccination record’).

The VDRS team will aim to contact the individual within 21 days.

The number they will call the individual from is 01869 817119 (this is not a number that individuals can call into).

They will make three attempts to contact the individual.

06.07.2021 - NHS COVID PASSPORT

If you need an NHS Covid Passport the details about how to obtain one are on the Government website : click here to access

You cannot get this from your GP so please do not ring your practice

All the information you need is on this website - including how to apply, when to apply and whether or not you need a paper version or a digital version.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have been given an appointment time for a doctor, nurse or phlebotomy appointment - please DO NOT ARRIVE EARLY (nor late) - we will only admit a limited number of patients into our waiting room to ensure we stay safe.

PLEASE NOTE: we will only be able to accept a limited number of patients in the surgery at a time - if you can, please find alternate ways to order your repeat medications and for your prescriptions to be sent to a local pharmacy so you do not have to come into the surgery for non-medical appointments.

SHIELDING

More specific than social distancing, shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable by minimising all interaction between those who are extremely vulnerable and others.

It is intended for use in situations where the extremely vulnerable person is living in their own home, with or without additional support.

For explanation of who should be shielding - how this works and how to get support use the Government website. This will have the most up-to-date information as and when it changes.

All patients at highest clinical risk who are shielding are asked to register to the Government Support website. This service provides access to food and medications whilst at home if needed.
To access this, patients must be flagged as highest clinical risk by the central process, their GP or a hospital specialist.
Please note, there may be a short delay between the flag being applied and support arriving.e
The list of shielded patients is constantly reviewed by NHSE/PHE and updated - that means some patients may receive letters at any time even thought they may not have been included on the list in March

INFECTION CONTROL FOR THE HOME

This document provides guidance on infection prevention and control measures for people with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who are experiencing mild symptoms that do not require hospitalisation, therefore are self-isolating / shielding at home.

The target audience for this is the general public in EU/EEA Member States and the United Kingdom.

Click here to read the document - this has been published by ECDC Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) group

FIT NOTES

If you are staying away from work because you are have symptoms of coronavirus and are following advice to self- isolate (including if you live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus and has to self-isolate), you can get an isolation note to send to your employer as proof you need to stay off work. Please do not contact your GP practice to ask for a fit note (sometimes referred to as a sick note)

Use the NHS111 online service if you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer. The isolation note provides the information that your employer requires as evidence of absence from work. This is available online from https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

NOT ABLE TO GO TO WORK

You should work from home unless it is impossible for you to do so.

If you are not advised to stay at home by NHS111 but you have chosen - or been told - not to attend your place of work you may not be able to get an isolation note :

Your employer should follow Government guidelines to provide you with advice on how they will pay you or how you should claim SSP/Universal Credit etc.

To see what the current guidance to employers and employees is please visit this Government website

There is also government advice on that website for those who are self-employed

The government has provided advice on employment and financial support on their website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

SUPPORT

NEW Post COVID-19 Patient Information Pack - click here for a copy to print or download
Humber Long COVID Triage and Assessment Service has produced a new 22-page Post COVID-19 Patient Information Pack (attached) for people to download and print. It features exercises to help breathing, managing fatigue, dietary advice and details of local services.

LOCAL SUPPORT HELPLINES

The East Riding Social Prescribing teams have established a COVID response Hub which vulnerable people can access by telephoning 01482 393919 (operational between 9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9am-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays).

Email requests are also available and all emails should be sent to covid@eastriding.gov.uk for support with, for example, Food Hampers / Medicines/prescription Pickup/Drop Off etc

If you feel your issue is more about feeling lonely/isolated and needing to talk you can use the CallER service FREE to all East Riding residents – 01482 215929

SUPPORT - SAFEGUARDING (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)

If home is not a safe place for you because you are affected by Domestic Violence Abuse - you can call the national 24hr helpline on – 0808 2000 247 (for men the number is – 0808 8010327.

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

The NHS website has advice online for the public on spotting the signs for domestic abuse and domestic violence and where to go for help. The NHS also has a help page for those who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Additionally, the Home Office is promoting the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number - 0808 2000 247 - and associated online support available at nationaldahelpline.org.uk

You can also call the practice and talk to your GP - all requests for a GP appointment at the moment are first booked for a telephone call by the GP - we just need a number for the doctor to call you on.

We can put you in touch with the local DVAP team for help and support.

To look at more detail, please click here to go to the East Riding website listing many ways to access help and support or use one of the following :

Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership (DAP) is available to help and support at http://www.hulldap.co.uk/

Sexual assault referral centre (SARC) offers free support and practical help to anyone in Humberside who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse at https://www.casasuite.org/

Men who would like confidential advice to find the strength to stop domestic abuse can contact Strength to Change on 01482 613403, from 10am to 5pm, Mon-Thurs. Further information at

http://www.hullstrengthtochange.org/html/

A web chat for people seeking support due to domestic abuse during isolation has been launched at https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/ The live chat will be online 10-12pm on weekdays

If you are in fear of attack ring the police on 999

SUPPORT - SAFEGUARDING (CHILDREN)

If you have concerns about the safety of children - and you need to reach out for support please use any of the following numbers/websites

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’. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus. https://youngminds.org.uk

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

MENTAL WELFARE

The coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak is going to have an impact on everyone’s daily lives, as the government and the NHS take necessary steps to manage the outbreak, reduce transmission and treat those who need medical attention.

It may be difficult, but by following guidance on social distancing, or staying at home, you are helping to protect yourself, your family, the NHS and your community.

During this time, you may be bored, frustrated or lonely. You may also feel low, worried, anxious, or be concerned about your health or that of those close to you. Everyone reacts differently to events and changes in the way that we think, feel and behave vary between different people and over time. Many people including those without existing mental health needs may feel anxious about this impact including support with daily living, ongoing care arrangements with health providers, support with medication and changes in their daily routines.

Public Health England has produce some useful supporting guidance and information : click here to access

Try to focus on the things you can control, such as your behaviour, who you speak to and who you get information from. Every Mind Matters provides simple tips and advice to start taking better care of your mental health.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please see the NHS mental health and wellbeing advice website for self-assessment, audio guides and tools that you can use. If you are still struggling after several weeks and it is affecting your daily life, please contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN's WELFARE

This advice is to help adults with caring responsibilities look after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

How a child or young person reacts can vary according to their age, how they understand information and communicate, their previous experiences, and how they typically cope with stress.

Clicking this link will take you the help and support page from the Government website with lot's of suggestions and links to how you support children and their parents and carers - including ideas to plan time outside if you can do so safely or even using the Change4Life website for some ideas for indoor games and activities

Additional Information

Bowel Scope Screening - has been suspended during this coronavirus period and the attached gives some more detailed information in the form of FAQs. Please click here to open the document

Cervical Screening (HPV test) - we are still offering appointments to those who need a cervical smear test where the frequency is less than the normal 3-5 years interval.

For those who are on the normal recall (3-5 years) we would ask that you wait until after the current coronavirus period to book an appointment. A smear is not a diagnostic test - if you have unusual or troubling symptoms please ask to make a telephone appointment with the doctor.

Please click here to open the document