Newsletter - April 2020
Published: 02 March 2020
Please note the Surgery will be closed on Friday 10th April and Monday 13th April for the Easter Weekend. Please plan ahead and ensure you have ordered enough medication by Tuesday 7th April.
Coronavirus COVID-19
The NHS in Cambridgeshire 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 while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
You should call NHS 111 if you have been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus.
Returning travelers
Call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if you’ve travelled to the UK from any of the infected areas. Please check with Public Health England for full directions and the up to date list of countries:
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
• Further information is also available on nhs.uk
Do not go to the GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
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. 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.
Dr Stevens
We are delighted to welcome Dr Faye Stevens to the practice as a permanent member of our team.
Cervical Screening
Around 2,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year, and around 690 women die from the disease, which is 2 deaths every day. It is estimated that if everyone attended screening regularly, 83% of cervical cancer cases could be prevented.
New research from Public Health England shows that nearly all women eligible for screening (90%) would be likely to take a test that could help prevent cancer - and of those who have attended screening, 9 in 10 (94%) would encourage others who are worried to attend their cervical screening. Despite this, screening is at a 20-year low, with 1 in 4 eligible women (those aged 25 to 64) in the UK not attending their test.
If you have been invited or are overdue your cervical screening test, please contact the surgery and book a routine appointment with one of our nurses.
Cambridgeshire Hearing Clinics
The next Hearing Aid Clinics at Willingham Surgery on Weds 15th April, Weds 20th May and Weds 17th June from 2:00pm-4:00pm. No appointment necessary, just pop along for your free NHS hearing aid batteries and for help and advice regarding hearing loss.
Carers Support Meetings Meetings held on the first Wednesday of every month. If you are a carer, please pop along and get some support from other people in the local community. Refreshments provided no need to pre-book and completely FREE! Please contact Sue Lawson at the surgery or email her at
[email protected] for more information.
A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If we are closed, please call 111.