Message to our patients – update on the COVID-19 booster programme
Across Sussex the NHS and its partners are working extremely hard to roll out the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme to our communities.
All adults are eligible from Monday 13 December, and you will be able to book via the National Booking System from Wednesday 15 December.
You can book your booster for 3 months from the date of second vaccine, and you can access the National Booking System to book the appointment from 2 months.
We are working at pace to increase the availability of appointments so that there are plenty of options for people on the National Booking System. Some local vaccination services may will also contact patients directly.
New appointments are being added every day across our vaccination services. We have been offering more than 80,000 appointments a week and in the last two weeks we have increased the number of available appointments by more than 10,000 a week. Further availability will come online from Wednesday 15 December.
We will be working with all of our sites to take further steps to increase what they can offer again, including opening later and on more days.
All of these appointments will be added to the National Booking System and so we encourage everyone who is aged 18 and over, is yet to have their booster and who is approaching 3 months from your second vaccine to use the National Booking System to arrange your appointment when you are able to do so.
In terms of any planned appointments with Bewbush Medical Centre, there are no changes at the current time and everyone should attend your planned appointments as normal. If we need to make any changes, we will contact you directly.
See more about the vaccination programme in Sussex, including the vaccination services: COVID-19 vaccinations - Sussex Health & Care Partnership (sussexhealthandcare.uk)
Important notice regarding changes to the appointment system
Due to the on-going situation with Coronavirus, we are taking measures in line with guidance shared by NHS England and Public Health authorities to minimise risks associated with the virus.In order to protect our patients and staff we are asking our patients support with this.
What does this mean for you?
Appointments:
We are asking all patients not to attend the practice without prior agreement from a member of our clinical team. From Monday 16th March 2020 we want to minimise the number of patients attending the Practice for face to face appointments.This means that all patients are required to contact the practice by telephone to request an appointment, providing details of their need.A member of the clinical team will then telephone you back to discuss your need and wherever possible this need will be met over the telephone.If the clinician deems that you require a face to face appointment, you will be asked some screening questions to determine whether there is a need for a coronavirus assessment. If this is the case you will be asked to self-isolate for 7 days.If there is no risk you will be offered a face to face appointment if appropriate.To ensure that you are dealt with speedily you can submit an eConsult consultation which will be dealt with within 24hrs; follow the link on the website.
Access to the Surgery
Access to the building will be restricted to the patients who have been invited for an appointment by a Clinician.Anyone who attempts to gain access to the surgery who has not been invited will be asked to leave the premises.Only the patient with the appointment will be allowed into the building.
For children, only one parent/guardian will be allowed to accompany the child.
Prescriptions
Paper requests for repeat prescriptions have temporarily been suspended, again to avoid the spread of the virus and you will not be able to collect your prescription from the surgery. We will electronically send the prescription to your nominated pharmacy.To order a repeat prescription, please request online. If not registered please to register for online services.Please remain courteous to our staff at all times; any incidents of verbal or physical abuse will result in removal from the practice list.This is a very challenging time for us all and we would appreciate your co-operation during this period of uncertainty.Our priority is the health and safety of all our patients and staff.Thank you.
When We Are Closed
NHS 111 is a telephone service for people in Sussex to find out where they can access medical help fast but are not in a life-threatening situation. The service is available for people who aren’t sure if they need to go to A&E, need more information about where to get NHS help or generally need reassurance and advice.
The easy to remember number - 111 - that is available across the country - has been introduced to help people get the right help, at the right time, especially at weekends and out of hours.
111 is free to call and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also contact NHS 111 via their webpage https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/
By calling NHS 111, you will reach a team of fully trained advisers, and experienced nurses and doctors who will assess your condition and direct you to the local service that can help you best, when you need it.
If you have had an injury or accident please go to the Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital unless you need to ring 999 for an ambulance.
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency
For more information:
http://www.crawleyccg.nhs.uk/your-health/out-of-hours-care/