July 19th Opening
How do I show my vaccine status when going abroad?
There are several ways to show your vaccine status when you are traveling abroad. Please visit gov.uk for more information.
The NHS needs data about the patients it treats in order to plan and deliver its services and to ensure that care and treatment provided is safe and effective. The General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection will help the NHS to improve health and care services for everyone by collecting patient data that can be used to do this. For example patient data can help the NHS to:
- monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of care
- plan how to deliver better health and care services
- prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- identify new treatments and medicines through health research
GP practices already share patient data for these purposes, but this new data collection will be more efficient and effective.
NHS Digital will not share your name or where you live. Any other data that could directly identify you, for example your NHS number, General Practice Local Patient Number, full postcode and date of birth, is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.
COVID-19 Vaccine Status Requests
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:
- The NHS App which you can download from app stores
- The NHS website nhs.uk
- 119 - by requesting a paper letter
You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified.
If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose more than five working days ago. It may take up to seven working days for the letter to arrive.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.
When you're planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel.
The NHS App
CAHMS Survey
Have you ever used the CAHMS service? They would like your opinions before their contract is renewed. Please follow this link to take their survey now, thank you.
Online Consultations
If you have a routine (non-urgent) problem you can leave a message for our GP's using Online Consult. Once you have left your message this will be viewed and appropriate action will be taken for example giving you a GP or nurse appointment.
One Health & Care
Patients in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire will now have an Integrated Care Record. This will allow health professionals from all different sectors to securely and confidentially view your medical history to help them make the best decisions for your care.
Carers' Information and Support Programme
Are you a carer for someone living with dementia?
Would you like to access information and support to help you within your caring role?
The Alzheimer's Society Carers Information & Support Programme (CrISP 2) has been designed specifically for carers, family members and friends of people living with a moderate to advanced stage of dementia.
The programme consists of 3 essential sessions, each lasting 2 hours and covering the following topics:
• Understanding how dementia progresses
• Living with change as dementia progresses
• Living well as dementia progresses, including occupation and activities
Programmes are currently being delivered via zoom.
For more information or to book a place please contact Stephanie Morley on 07522 597 760 or e-mail: stokedementiaconnect@alzheimers.org.uk
Organ Donation
As you may know on the 20th of May this year the law regarding organ donation changed to an "opt-out" system. This means that everyone will be considered an organ donor unless they specifically opt-out. To register your decision or find more info please visit https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ or call 0300 123 23 23.
Holidays
As lockdown eases and tourism begins to reopen around the UK, many patients will be wondering what they need to do to stay safe. The BMA have produced a simple guidance poster to help patients mitigate risks and stay safe on their holiday.
Social Prescribing
Social Prescribing Leaflet
Please see the above leaflet for information on the new social prescribing scheme. If you think it's something that could help you please speak to one of our GP's who can make a referral for you.
Heat Healthwatch
The Heat Healthwatch system has been back in operation since 1 June 2020 (and will run until 15 September 2020). In addition to the usual Heatwave Plan, there are some additional leaflets and posters for use in relation to COVID also available on this webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england
For patients concerned that they may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances. These can be accessed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19.
Community Blood Test Clinics During The COVID Outbreak
Community Blood Test Clinic Information
Please see the above leaflet for information on when you can attend for a blood test at the community clinics. PLEASE NOTE that all blood tests are now APPOINTMENT ONLY as all walk-in services are currently closed to aid with social distancing.
Cervical Screening
Bowel Screening
Easy Guide Bowel Cancer Screening
Reducing Risk Bowel Cancer Booklet
Fit Notes (Self Certifications)
Self-Certification is a way to prove that you were ill or injured and need to take time off work to recover. Not all employers ask their employees to self-certify on their return - a fit note is usually enough to prove you were unwell.
https://www.uppinghamsurgery.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SC2-Form.pdf
New service for patients
The NHS has introduced a new service for people who are more at risk of an unplanned hospital admission in an emergency situation and who would benefit from more tailored, active support from their GP surgery. We believe personal care planning could help improve your health and wellbeing, as well as help to reduce the risk of unplanned hospital admissions
For more information about this service please speak to your registered Doctor.