AS AT 21ST JANUARY 2021
COVID VACCINE COHORTS - where are we up to and who is next?
Below is a breakdown of how we at Spencer St are working through the cohorts (as advised by NHS England)
- Cohort 1 - Residents in a care home for older adults, and their carers (Staff) - COMPLETE!!
- Cohort 2 - All those aged 80 years and over and frontline social workers - NEARLY THERE! Housebound being done next week.
- Cohort 3 - All those aged 75 years and over - CURRENT GROUP WE ARE NOW CONTACTING TO COME INTO CLINICS!!
- Cohort 4 – All those aged 70 years and over and those classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable – WILL BE CONTACTED ONCE COHORT 3 COMPLETE (AND WILL BE CONTACTED BY 15th FEBRUARY 2021)
Cohorts 5 – 9 will follow in due course – we wait to be advised by NHS England:
- Cohort 5 - All those aged 65 years and over
- Cohort 6 - All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions
- Cohort 7 - All those aged 60 years and over
- Cohort 8 - All those aged 55 years and over
- Cohort 9 - All those aged 50 years and over
Thank you to all our patients for working with us through this difficult time by allowing us to call you when its your turn.
Covid-19 Vaccination
The first phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has started.
When it is the right time, patients will receive an invitation to come forward. This letter will include all the information you need.
The Practice will then subsequently call you to arrange an appointment time.
Please note due to the vaccine short shelf-life we will only be able to offer vaccination during a very restricted timeframe - we are not able to be flexible on dates.
Please, don't call us - we will call you when it's your turn to be vaccinated.
Find out more about the roll out at:
NHS Covid Vaccine
To help get this vaccine out to our patients quickly, we have to work in groups of practices with one site being a nominated site for holding the vaccine clinics.
Some of our clinics will be held at Morton Surgery, Langrigg Road, Carlisle, CA2 6DT
Click on the link below to view the location. Bus Route 61.
Morton Surgery Location
Please give some thought about how you might be able to make your way to Morton Surgery in advance of our call to you.
Patient information leaflets are available to download here:
Covid-19 Vaccination - Guide for Adults
Covid-19 Vaccine - Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Thank you!
Why not access our Online Consultations service where you can get information, help and support from us. Responses will be within two working days.
CORONAVIRUS TESTING
If you have coronavirus symptoms, you need to book or order a test asap. Book a free drive-through or walk-through test at a site or order a home test kit at http://orlo.uk/sHHCF
SCHOOL LETTERS OF ABSENCE
Please note that it is not a GPs responsibility to issue school letters of absence for your children. Government guidance is that school attendance is mandatory unless your child is self-isolating, has symptoms of COVID-19 or is close to someone who has COVID-19.
Covid-19 absence advice for parents/carers
PATIENT ADVICE - FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENT
INFORMATION IN ADVANCE OF YOUR APPOINTMENT AT SPENCER ST SURGERY
Please wear a face covering at all times when in the surgery, and observe social distancing rules. Please attend alone unless you require a parent/carer to be present. Use hand sanitiser (at the door) before entering and upon leaving the building . Do not bring unnecessary bags, buggies etc with you to the appointment. If you are bringing a child to an appointment please supervise them and ensure they follow social distancing at all times. You may have your temperature checked upon entering the building.
PATIENT ADVICE - HOME VISIT
INFORMATION IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HOME VISIT
When your GP or Nurse arrives s/he will contact you by phone so you can open the door in readiness. Please wear a face covering and keep all windows and internal doors open. Please wait alone in your room to be seen – relatives/carers should wait in another room where possible. Please ensure you have washed your hands before the visit.
Coronavirus - Advice for Patients
The general clinical case definition for COVID-19 is:
New continuous cough OR fever OR loss of/change in smell or taste
Self-isolate and get a test if you develop a new continuous cough or fever or loss of/ change in smell or taste.
The individual's household should also self-isolate for 14 days as per the current guidelines and the individual should stay at home for 10 days, or longer if they still have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell or taste.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms. The person with symptoms only needs to self-isolate for 10 days from the day their symptoms start. If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
If you have moderate to severe symptoms, please visit https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 The 111 telephone link is extremely busy - patients are advised to go online first.
RED HUB:
During the current COVID-19 outbreak, patients experiencing covid-19 symptoms will be passed to a GP working in our to our local 'Red Hub'. The GP at the red hub will assess your symptoms and decide on the best options for your care. You may be invited to a face to face appointment at our red hub.
Click here www.northcumbriaccg.nhs.uk/redhubs to find out more about where to go, what it will look and feel like and what to do when you arrive. There is also a short film and animation to explain why it looks different for children.
Check online at gov.uk and at nhs.uk for advice and the latest COVID-19 information before attending the practice.
NHS researchers in the UK are working together to help find a vaccine against COVID-19.
Many possible COVID-19 vaccines are being tested in the UK. Different vaccines may work better for different groups of people. It's important we include people from all backgrounds and ages in our research. This gives researchers an understanding of how well each vaccine may work. All COVID-19 vaccines being researched in the NHS have gone through strict safety testing, and have been approved by a number of processes. We use the same high standards to COVID research as we do to all NHS research. We are still looking for volunteers for studies in the North East and North Cumbria to find a vaccine against COVID-19. To sign up and for more information visit www.nhs.uk/researchcontact
Appointments are available from 6.30pm weekdays and from 8.00am on weekends
Are you due a cervical smear? Appointments are also available to book at weekends - please call reception for more details!
Extended Access Leaflet for Patients
(Site updated 21/01/2021)