Newsletter - November 2020

Published: 05 October 2020

Staffing at the Surgery
You may come across many new faces and voices at the surgery as we welcome new members of reception staff into our team.  We said a fond farewell to our Office Manager, Sarah Thompson, after 33 years at Willingham Medical Practice.  Sarah has retired to spend time with her family, and we would like to publicly thank her for all the hard work and dedication she has put into the practice over her long career.  She has seen many new faces come and go, having started her career with the surgery back at the bungalow in Schole Road all those years ago, when everything was written on paper!  I’m sure our patients will miss her greatly as she has been a regular front figure at the surgery for such a long time, and will be greatly missed.

Surgery update
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, how you contact us will be different at the moment.  This is to limit face-to-face contact whenever possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Your GP practice is open and if you need to see your GP, please ring us on 01954 260230 or visit our website for details.  You can also call NHS 111.  Please do not come to the surgery unless you have an appointment.

A clinician will speak with you over the phone before booking your face to face appointment.  Appointments are also being delivered online and over the telephone.  If you are asked to come into the surgery for a face-to-face appointment, please remember to wear a face covering.  Measures are in place to keep you safe from infection during your visit to the surgery.

If your query is in relation to COVID-19 please visit NHS 111 online in the first instance. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Please be aware the GP will only try to call you once, and should you miss the call you will need to reschedule your appointment for a later date.  Updates regarding your appointment will be sent via SMS message or you will be contacted by a member of our reception team.  Please ensure we have your up to date contact details.

Facebook Page

Willingham Medical Practice is now on Facebook.  Please feel free to like and follow our page for important health updates as we move through the winter and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  We ask that any feedback or concerns are emailed to willinghammedicalpractice@nhs.net as we are unable to respond directly to all comments on our Facebook page and there is not the facility to message us using social media for your security, safety and confidentiality.

Flu programme
If you’re age 50-64 and don’t normally get a flu vaccine, you will be offered one if there is enough Vaccine AFTER vaccination of higher risk groups.  You may not be contacted until December.  Please do not contact the practice now, we will contact you when the vaccines are available on the NHS.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation

Thank you from Dr Suter
Dr Suter would like to thank her patients for all the gifts and cards she received for her retirement.  She was quite overwhelmed by all the appreciation and kindness, and is now enjoying the extra time she has with her family.

Carers Meeting
Due to the pandemic, the carers' meetings are still currently postponed until further notice.  They will be reinstated as soon as it is safe to do so.  In the meantime, we would like to continue to support carers in our local community in any way possible.  If you are a carer for someone and need advice and financial or emotional support, please contact Sue Lawson at susan.lawson7@nhs.net or 01954 260230.

A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment.  If we are closed please call 111