Welcome to Baddow Village Surgery
Practice Showdown
Tuesday 24 November 2020
The Practice will be closed from 12:00 noon on Tuesday 24 November 2020 until 8am on Wednesday 25 November. This is to enable staff training and team meetings.
If you require medical care during this time please call NHS111 who can give advice or arrange medical attention where this is necessaru.
Flu Vaccinations
Update on the Government announcement regarding flu vaccines being available for 50-64 year olds from 1 December
We have been trying to access flu vaccines for our at risk patients who are under 65 years of age since end of October - at which time we learnt that our next delivery had been taken into DHSC stock (Department of Health and Social Care).
We have placed an order for our at risk patients but the pharmaceutical company has advised we cannot order for the remaining 50-64 years olds yet.
The estimated delivery date for the 'at risk' vaccines is week commencing 4 December - this has NOT been confirmed
We do not know if and when we will get stock for our non at-risk patients.
We fully appreciate how frustrating this is and can assure you we have done our utmost to acquire more flu vaccines. We want our patients to be vaccinated - we are very frustrated that we are unable to offer this vaccination to our patients.
65 years and older by 31 March 2021 - very low stock remaining please book as soon as possible
Over 18 and under 65 by 31 March 2021 - Our delivery that was due on 9 November was cancelled. NHS England has advised that "a number of pending orders were cancelled in view of their (pharmaceutical company's) commitment to provide vaccines for the central DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) procured stock. Many providers are placing orders for DHSC centrally procured stock at the moment, but this stock is still in the manufacturing and quality control phase so the manufacturers cannot confirm orders until they know that the stock has passed quality control and can be released. They are aware that a lot of practices have run out of locally procured stock and are awaiting these deliveries, so they are acutely aware of the need to confirm orders and delivery dates as soon as they are able to."
- We are hopeful to receive Under 65 vaccines toward the end of November - now updated to beginning of December - these will only be available for eligible patients - please review eligibility at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
- As soon as we have a confirmed date for delivery we will be sending out invitations to eligible patients.
- Please see below regarding 50 - 64 year olds who have not been eligible in previous years
Due to PPE changing and cleaning between each patient this has meant a reduction in the number of appointments that we are able to offer so please cancel if you cannot attend an appointment.
50 - 64 Year Olds who have not been eligible in previous years
Information from NHS England
Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier
For more information about flu, visit: www.nhs.uk/flu
Coronavirus Update
05/11/2020
In response to the ongoing situation nationally, Baddow Village Surgery are following NHS England guidance to protect our most vulnerable patients whilst providing care for our whole population. It is vital that our patients continue to seek medical attention when needed and engage with routine care when invited. The measures set out below allow us to provide a safe environment to treat our patients, including our most vulnerable.
Attending the surgery: Talk before you Walk!
Baddow Village Surgery has been OPEN throughout the pandemic and continues to care for our patients. For the purposes of safety in communal areas, the surgery FRONT DOORS REMAIN LOCKED and access will only be permitted to those who have an appointment arranged by a clinician. Please use the intercom at the front entrance to gain access. We have limited space in our waiting areas.
IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE SURGERY WE ASK THAT YOU WEAR A FACE COVERING.
Please be aware that all staff will be wearing masks and clinicians will be wearing PPE when you are seen.
Prescription Collection
For those patients collecting prescriptions from dispensary or dropping off samples requested by a GP/Nurse, there is a bell on the dispensary window on the Longmead Avenue facing wall of the building. Please do not ring between 1-3pm, when it is essential for our dispensary to close for staff to prepare prescriptions.
Shielded Patient List
As of 5/11/2020 patients identified as being on the Shielded Patient List (also known as Extremely Vulnerable Group or High Risk Group) have been issued with new advice in light of the current lockdown measures. These patients will be written to directly by the government. This letter will explain current advice and serve as evidence that can be presented to employers, if required.
Baddow Village surgery is not responsible for issuing this letter. Please do not request medical certificates for the purpose of shielding as we will not issue these.
Patients on the shielded list will have priority for supermarket deliveries and prescription delivery services during the current lockdown phase, if required.
Approximately 400 patients from our almost 13'000 list size are currently identified on the Shielded Patient List.
For any updates regarding shielding status, please see the gov.uk website.
National Guidance for Suspected Coronavirus Cases
The government has put is place a policy of SELF ISOLATION for any patient with a new onset cough, and/or fever and/or loss of sense of taste/smell, that could be attributed to Covid-19 infection. Patients well enough to remain at home should self isolate for 10 days and ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS should self isolate for 14 days. If any other household member who is already self isolated develops symptoms, they should remain isolated for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms EVEN IF this means for longer than 14 days in total from when the first household member became symptomatic. Patients well enough to remain at home WHO LIVE ALONE should self-isolate for 10 days.
- If a patient is concerned that they are not well enough to remain at home with these symptoms then they should use the online NHS111 assessment tool, dial NHS111 or contact the surgery.
Testing for Covid-19 can be requested for anyone via the gov.uk website. If you do not have internet access then call 119.
- Track and Trace is now in operation. Any contact will be from the national team and their instructions should be followed. The practice are not involved in this process.
Medical certificates will not be issued for self-isolation or household isolation. Please utilise the NHS isolation note service available online. You can do this for yourself or another individual.
Your Appointment
Please do not attend the surgery to request an appointment or make any enquiry. Our front door is locked and you will not be permitted onto the premises.
Access to online appointments will be restricted to telephone appointments only.
Video consultations may be conducted if you or someone with you has internet access and a suitable mobile device and our clinical staff deem it necessary.
Face to Face GP/ANP appointments will only occur when deemed necessary by a GP/ANP who has assessed the patient via telephone first. Patients will be asked to inform our reception staff of the reason for their appointment request to assist us in assessing the urgency of the call back. Please be aware that GPs may telephone at any time on the day of your appointment or in advance of your expected appointment day, as we work to deal with the appointment demand.
Any patients with a fever or respiratory tract infection symptoms who are directed to us by NHS 111 will be telephoned by a GP. We will assess and decide upon the suitable management of each individual case.
All Long Term Condition Clinics (asthma, COPD, diabetes) are continuing. The practice will contact you when we can conduct your review. You may be contacted via text message, telephone or video. We are using an application called Accurx and you may receive a text message with a link to 'florey.accurx.com'. Some patients will still require a face to face appointment and it is essential that we minimise unnecessary attendances to the surgery to make it safe for these to take place.
We continue to provide other services including vaccinations, smears, contraception services and pessary fittings in line with national advice.
Hospital Services
Request for contact details
Other Surgery Services
Our home visit policy remains unchanged. Patients requesting a home visit will be contacted by a GP/ANP via telephone before a visit is confirmed.
Our dispensary policies remain unchanged. Telephone requests for medication are not routinely accepted. We encourage you to download the NHS app, use SystmOne online if you have password access or make a request in writing. We WILL NOT issue more than a months supply of any medications under any circumstances. Stockpiling of medication is unacceptable. Medication will not be issued when there is not a current clinical indication e.g. inhalers. GPs and our dispensary are working to ensure that repeat medications are up dated without any non-essential delay but please bear with us at this time of high demand.
Please do not ask us to deliver medication when we would not usually do so. We ask that our local communities, their families and friends, help those self-isolating or social distancing due to high risk at this time.
Safeguarding our Patients
At this time when we are socially distancing and confined to our homes, we know that there are vulnerable adults or children who may be at greater risk or struggling to cope. We remain vigilant in safeguarding our patients. You may find these resources below useful:
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/
MENCAP: The voice of learning disability, has an easy read guide for any individuals with learning disability on their website www.mencap.org.uk
We thank our patients for their understanding during this time of unprecedented challenge for the NHS, and our staff for their unwavering dedication and hard work in caring for our patients.
The Partners
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Patient Information on Coronavirus
The latest information on symptoms of coronovirus infection and areas where recent travel may have resulted in a high risk of exposure can be found on
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.
Everyone is being reminded to follow the public health advice on the NHS website to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.
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My Care Record
Our practice is now part of My Care Record - supporting the delivery of joined-up care.
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, additional measures are being put in place to help health and care providers to deliver effective care. This includes how the information from your care records is used. My Care Record is an approach to improving care by joining up health and care information.
Wherever possible, health and care professionals will be able to access care records from other services if it is needed to deliver care for individuals with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.
For example, we are working to make sure doctors, nurses and co-ordination staff at places you may receive advice or treatment can see important information from your GP record. This will include health and care professionals at neighbouring GP practices, NHS 111 and regional centres for the treatment of critically ill patients including the NHS Nightingale Hospital in London. This will make it easier and faster for them to deliver effective care for you if it is needed. Please see the My Care Record website for more information including the Privacy Notice to support this work.
Information for patients explaining how your data is being processed to support vital Coronavirus (COVID19) planning and research is detailed in the Further Information section on the right hand side of this screen - GDPR Privacy Notices/COVID Updates.
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Unwell Child
Please click on the link below to open a document giving advice for parents when your child is unwell or injured
COVID-19 advice for parents when your child is unwell or injured
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Support for Carers of Patients with Dementia
We understand this is a worrying time for everyone, and there may be particular concerns for people who support someone living with dementia. The NHS in your area has been working with Essex County Council and other local organisations, including community and voluntary groups, to identify and reach out to people like you – people living with dementia and people who care for them.
By making welfare calls to you, we can find out more about your needs and help people to avoid reaching the point of crisis. The initial contact will come from the Alzheimer’s Society through their Dementia Support Workers (who are professionally trained).
They will ask how you are doing and discuss possible worries you have, for example:
- The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and how you can reduce the risk to you and others
- Getting access to food and medicine
- Seeking advice and help from your GP or pharmacy
- What happens if you or the person you support becomes unwell
- Making contact and staying in touch with family and friends
- Activities that you can do with your loved ones to take your minds off things
These calls will help the Dementia Support Workers to offer appropriate support or give you contact details of other organisations who can help you with your particular needs. We want you to know that the NHS and our partners are here for you and will help you get the support you need.
If you need more information or are worried about being contacted, especially in light of possible telephone scams, we are happy to clarify any doubts that you may have. You can contact us on meccg.dementiacovidcarersupport@nhs.net
If you or someone you care for is worried about novel coronavirus and needs advice or support, please call the Dementia Connect support line on 01245 260911 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm).
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Guidance for Med3 (sick notes) for Absence from Work
- Personally affected so isolating for seven days
Patients can and should self-certify for the first seven days as normal if they are unfit to work.
They do not need to contact their GP.
- Personally affected and remaining unwell for over seven days
If they remain unwell and unfit to work after seven days the current advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk where there is an online self-assessment tool; the patient may be invited to call 111 and given further advice and a MED3 certificate emailed to them.
They do not need to contact their GP.
- Household contact affected so isolating for fourteen days as per government advice
- At risk group so following government advice
GPs are not the gatekeeper of the statutory sick pay system.
Employers are responsible for putting in place arrangements for home/remote working where this is possible.
Where it is not, the employee may self-certify and return to work following the relevant absence which their employer may authorise as per government advice. Where they do become unwell during or after this time, point 1 and 2 applies.
They do not need to contact their GP.
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Engage Newsletter - Summer 2020
Click here to read the latest edition of Engage, Mid Essex CCG's (Clinical Commissioning Group) newsletter for patients.
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Requesting your Medication
Help to Reduce the Number of Patients Needing to Attend the Surgery
Please register for online access where you are able to. You can register without attending the Surgery via the NHS app (link below).
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/
Where you are unable to use online services you can drop a request into the box on the wall by the entrance to the surgery. This box is emptied at least twice during the working day. As well as details of the requested medication please ensure your name, date of birth and your nominated pharmacy are included in the information.
Please ensure you nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect your medication so that your prescription is sent electronically to them reducing the need for patients to attend the Surgery.
Please update your contact information - mobile number and email and indicate you give consent for text messages and emails.
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Closed to New Patients
Our Practice list is currently temporarily closed to new patients.
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Have you changed your mobile number or email or moved home?
Please keep your contact information up to date so we can get in touch when we need to.
You can update your information via SystmOnline or complete the change of details form
Do you have an email address?
Register your email to help us contact you easily and reduce our costs. You can do this via SystmOnline, at the surgery or by clicking the 'Your Contact Details' box above.
Equality and Diversity
This practice believes in fairness and equality, and above all, values diversity. All staff have ongoing equality and diversity training and our equality and diversity policies are reviewed annually.
We have updated our forms to collect information on sexual orientation, gender identity (including Non Binary and trans status). If you would like to update your details, please complete the Change of Details Form form and return it to reception or email to baddow.surgery@nhs.net
