11 Oct 2021
STAFF SHORTAGES DUE TO SICKNESS
We regret to inform you that due to a combination of covid self isolation and other illness, we are presently running the practice at a much reduced staff capacity.
We are trying really hard to deliver to you a safe, responsive service, but please note that there will be some inevitable increases in waiting time for clinical appointments and enquiry responses.
We are not alone in this, you will see that the entire NHS is under significant strain as we have to comply with much more stringent health and safety regulations than other organisations, due to the vulnerable patients we see and treat.
Once again, we thank you for your understanding.
UPDATE 6/10/2021 14:33
EMISWEB seems to have been restored so we will now work through the backlog of queries.
Once again, thanks for your patience and understanding.
6/10/2021 09:30
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Staffordshire is experiencing major issues with the Clinical System EMISWEB which means we cannot access your electronic medical record.
Please do not contact us unless your problem is urgent.
Please defer contacting us until we report that the system is back online as we will be unable to deal with your enquiry without access to your medical record.
We apologise for the inconvenience, this is outside of our control as our clinical system is supplied and managed centrally and not by the practice.
Yet again, thank you for your patience.
Flu Vaccine Delay
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COVID BOOSTERS:
We are aware that the press have announced covid booster vaccines for everyone over 50, however at this moment in time we have no further information available regarding the specific details of this and have not been provided with any dates for vaccine delivery or administration.
Please do not call the surgery to enquire about this as our lines are still extremely busy.
Please be assured that we will be in contact with eligible patients as soon as we know what is happening.
Thank you.
The Stoke-on-Trent weight loss programme has re-started!
This is a 12 week programme which is either online or face to face.
Patients also receive FREE access to community exercise classes along with access to the gym/pool facilities while they are enrolled onto the programme.
To take part you must be 18 or over, have a BMI of over 28 and be a resident of Stoke-on-Trent.
You can self refer by calling the Lifestyle Service Hub on 0800 085 0928 or via their email - lifestyle.services@stoke.gov.uk.
More details can be found here.
There is a useful piece on the BBC news website about the blood tube shortage here.
It quite nicely summarises the difficulties that everyone is experiencing. Please have a read of it, and of course, the shortage is outside of our control but we will have to manage this according to clinical priority.
We thank you for your understanding at this time.
Healthy Teen Minds Crisis Tools
A scoping report commissioned by Health Education England identified children and young people’s (CYP) mental health as an area where training can help develop confidence, knowledge, and skills.
Unsure about how you can best help a young person going through a mental health crisis?
Health Education England are delighted to announce with colleagues at Healthy Teen Minds the launch of Mental Health Crisis ‘bitesize’ online resources at https://crisistools.org.uk/register/
The Crisis Tools learning sits on a new publicly open website at www.crisistools.org.uk and presented in video and text format. The four Crisis Tools learning content covers:
- What we need you to know? Outlines key challenges and strategies that individuals need to know before they begin their interaction with a young person in crisis at https://crisistools.org.uk/training/what-you-need-to-know/
- How to start the conversation Features practical tips to help set up for success and build trust when supporting a young person in-person, over the phone or online at https://crisistools.org.uk/training/how-to-start-the-conversation/
- So you want to talk about risk? Explores the risk conversation from a young person’s perspective, including how to get the conversation back on track when things go wrong and practical approaches at https://crisistools.org.uk/training/so-you-want-to-talk-about-risk/
- How to wrap things up. Covers key tips and strategies to help end a conversation in a collaborative way that feels safe for everyone at https://crisistools.org.uk/training/how-to-wrap-things-up/
Who is the resource for?
- Individuals working in other health and care settings such as primary care, urgent and emergency care
- Mental health staff who may encounter young people in a crisis, this will include a multi-disciplinary staff group incl. non-clinical roles
- Students and learners who will work and are working with young people
- Families and carers
Leading up to World Mental Health Day on 7 October 2021, you can also join the Healthy Teen Minds online Crisis Tools celebration event.
Important News - blood tube national shortages.
We have today (13/8/2021) been informed by the Clinical Commissioning Group that there is an urgent national shortage of blood test tubes.
This means some blood tests will NOT BE AVAILABLE based on clinical factors for (hopefully) a short period of time.
Routine testing of vitamin D levels, pre-diabetes blood tests, lipid analysis and allergy tests are now suspended until the supply of blood tubes is restored.
We thank you for your understanding. This is, of course, outside of our control.
Further information is available at https://staffsstokecovid.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/B0888_Optimisation-of-resources-for-pathology-laboratory-work-in-relation-to-supply-disruption-to-Becton-Dickinson_Aug21-1.pdf
How to I get the NHS App to show my vaccine passport?
BT have created a beginners guide to installing and using the NHS app and how to show your vaccine passport. This can help you or help you teach someone you know who is not confident about using a smartphone or apps.
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
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.
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.
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.