Newsletter - May 2021

Published: 31 March 2021

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

Second Covid Vaccinations

If you have already received your first vaccination, you may be wondering when your second appointment will be.  Current guidance is that your second vaccine will be between 11-12 weeks since your first.

Please do not call us.  The surgery will contact you when it’s your turn, in the same way as we did for your first appointment.  It is vital your contact details are up to date on our system.

Staffing & waiting times
The period before Easter was especially challenging for the practice, and we are aware the waiting times to speak with a GP were very long.  We also had considerable wait times on the phone.

The practice is now caring for over 10,000 patients, and the spike in demand due to the pandemic and the vaccination programme had a considerable impact on the surgery in the early Spring.

In response to this, the surgery is increasing clinical and reception staff in order to manage patient care and reduce the waiting times to a more manageable level.

We ask that you remain patient as new members settle into the team.

Signs of domestic violence and abuse
Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.  There are different kinds of abuse, but it's always about having power and control over you.  Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.

Getting help and support for domestic violenceYou do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help.  If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

Find out how to recognise the signs of abuse and where to get help by visiting:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence

• women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support
• talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife
• men can call Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm) for non-judgemental information and support

Carers Meeting
Due to the pandemic, the carer’s 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.