MESSAGE TO PATIENTS 18/2/2021

We are currently offering the Covid-19 vaccination to patients in cohort 6 (16-65 with underlying health conditions). You may be invited by SMS message or be called by a member of our patient services team.

If you are 70 years or over and have not yet been contacted by the surgery, please telephone us and ask to speak to Karen or Carl who will be happy to book you an appointment, alternatively use the online booking system on the GOV website.  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Derby Arena

We have been made aware that the large Derby Arena vaccination site is now accessible to those patients who have had an invitation letter from NHS England / NHS Digital. Previously patients were limited to booking appointments at Birmingham or Manchester.

Housebound

We have almost completed our housebound patient list. If you are housebound and have not yet been contacted, please let us know.

Vaccinations from the practice

To support the provision of housebound vaccinations, a small number of vaccinations will be offered from the practice in the coming weeks, these will be aimed at those patients who are not strictly housebound but are unable to travel outside of the village or fall into the clinically extremely vulnerable groups. 

Front line health workers or those who work in social care

Leicestershire hospitals are running a dedicated service, please email castledoningtonsurgery@nhs.net for more information. You will need to provide (to the hospital, not us) proof that you are eligible.

Measham Vaccination Site Details

The North West Leicestershire vaccination hub is located at Measham Leisure Centre, 22 High Street, Measham, DE12 7HR.

We fully understand that the location of the hub is not ideal for some of our patients, however the location is beyond our control. As soon as alternative provisions can be made, we will update you. 

Scams and Fake Emails

We have been made aware of patients receiving emails with fake links to book Covid vaccinations.  As far as we are aware invitations are only being sent out by letter or a call from us.  If you are asked for any information other than your name and date of birth, it is unlikely to be a genuine invite. Never provide bank or payment details.

Phone Lines

Our phone system was not designed to cope with the volume of calls we are currently experiencing. We are in the process of having a new phone system installed, which should be up and running in the next couple of weeks.  In the meantime please accept our apologies for any difficulties you experience getting through to us. 

Where possible we ask patients to be mindful of the other NHS services available such as  local pharmacies, 111 or self-care options for minor ailments. 

If you are calling regarding an admin query, it may be easier for you to send us an email to: castledoningtonsurgery@nhs.net

However, we CANNOT accept appointment or other clinical requests via email.

We would like to thank you all for your continued support and co-operation during these difficult times.

Your GP practice is open but you will notice some differences

Along with all GP practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, we are delivering the Covid vaccination programme.  This is the biggest immunisation programme in the history of the NHS in response to one of the most serious challenges to public health the world has faced.  This vital work will prevent thousands of people suffering serious illness or hospitalisation. We are proud to be involved in this essential work.

We also know that our patients continue to need our help with all the usual health care needs they have.  So, although we are very busy we remain open to provide the care you need.  It's important to:

• get medical help if you think you need it
• keep any appointments or procedures you have booked – unless you’re told not to go
• go to hospital if you’re advised to

However, during this busy time and with Covid still a significant threat to people’s health we ask for your ongoing co-operation and understanding to help us help you.   This means:

1. We may have to rearrange appointments or clinics, sometimes at short notice;
   
2. To prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) there have been changes to GP appointments. But it's still important to get help from us if you need it. You can contact your GP surgery by: 
   
   - visiting our website
   - using the NHS App (see below)
   - calling us
   - you can also order repeat prescriptions online
   
   
3. You will only be asked to visit the surgery if absolutely necessary. We will advise you about what to do. A phone or video call with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional may be booked for you. We will discuss the best option with you. 
4. Reception staff may ask you a few questions about your condition to make sure you get the right care you need. They will never make a clinical decision about whether you need to see a doctor but will be able to advise you about what the alternatives are if appropriate.
5. Your local pharmacist can provide advice and treatments for minor ailments and conditions and without the need to book an appointment.
6. Often you can use self-care to meet your health needs. The best place to get accurate health information is the NHS website. The NHS website, https://www.nhs.uk/ has information and advice on medical conditions and symptoms, common medicines and healthy lifestyle.
7. Go Digital! The NHS has a range of Apps that can help you look after yourself.  You can use online services and apps that may allow you to: Visit Health at Home,  https://www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/ to take control of your health and wellbeing with advice and information on self-care, conditions, treatments and medicines. You can use online services and apps that may allow you to:
   
   - order repeat prescriptions
   - see parts of your health record, including test results
   - book, check or cancel appointments
   
   
8. If you have an urgent care need you can also call NHS 111 which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
9. The NHS APP is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or table. 
   
    
   
   Thank you very much for your continued support and please continue to follow the public health advice and stay safe during this pandemic. 

 Your GP Practice Team

School children and shielding letter requests

We are unable to provide letters for children confirming they should be exempt from attending school. Please see our attached letter to parents/carers and teachers. 

School children and shielding letter requests

Blood Tests

We have a VERY LIMITED capacity for blood tests to be performed at the practice.

To be seen quicker, we are asking all patients to use the online SwiftQueue system to book appointments for blood tests at alternative locations such as Royal Derby Hospital in the first instance.

Click Here to Book Your Blood Test

Mental Health & Wellbeing Workbook

The attached document is a collection of resources and websites for patients/carers and their families.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Workbook

Hearing Aid Batteries

We are unable to provide hearing aid batteries via reception.

The Hearing Aid Service is now able to send them out directly to you.

Please call 0116 258 6230 or email hearingservices@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Coronavirus testing for patients

If you have symptoms - GET A TEST

To book an appointment visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

or telephone 119

In need of some help?

NHS Volunteer Responders: you can submit a live referral for an individual that needs support or an NHS service that requires volunteers providing they meet the referring criteria at https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHSreferral or on 0808 196 3382.

(1) Volunteers can provide: Check in and chat support – short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation (note, this is not mental health advice);

(2) Community support – collection of shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home;

(3) Patient Transport – transport to take patients home who are medically fit for discharge.

Health at Home – is a webpage that gives them an overview of NHS services that are available, such as how to order repeat prescriptions online and get them delivered (https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHSreferral).

Mental Health Support - website containing various helpline information including Samaritans, Turning Point, Childline, Night line (for university students), etc.

https://www.startaconversation.co.uk/get-help-now

Public Health England have provided some guidance on looking after mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Local councils are working with voluntary sector organisations and local communities to support residents in the response to COVID-19. You can signpost them to https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council, where they can locate their council and associated website where they can find all this information

The government has provided advice on employment and financial support on their website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Help beat COVID...

Platform Randomised trial of INterventions against COVID-19 In older peoPLE (PRINCIPLE)

The PRINCIPLE Trial needs the help of every GP, general practice, primary and social care professional in the country.

PRINCIPLE is the National NIHR Urgent Public Health Prioritised trial evaluating possible treatments for COVID-19 in primary care, and endorsed by the CMOs of all four nations. The trial aims to find out whether early treatment in the community speeds recovery and reduces the need for hospital admission for those with COVID-like-Illness.

PRINCIPLE will enrol patients with symptoms of COVID-19 for less than 15 days, (with or without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test), and:

• Aged 50 or over with underlying health conditions.
• Aged 65 and over, with or without underlying health conditions.

Every GP practice across the country can now contribute by identifying and signposting patients to the study. Please direct potential participants aged 50 and over with symptoms of COVID to self-screen via the website (https://www.phctrials.ox.ac.uk/principle-trial). The study team can also help people navigate participation by telephone if this is preferred: They should call 0800 138 0880 for telephone support.

We urgently need more of those who are still contracting the disease to be given the opportunity to participate in the trial. Fortunately, this innovative study is now available to every eligible person throughout the UK, as patients can now also be recruited centrally.

Every patient included in the study will be a massive contribution to our discipline’s flagship PRINCIPLE Trial, and will be one step closer to generating sorely needed evidence to find treatments for COVID-19 and underpin the best possible care we can give to our patients.