CORONAVIRUS  - we can beat this together

PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR OUR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Stay at home if you have either:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• Loss of/change in smell or taste - this means when you can't smell, food tastes bland and you may even lose interest in eating. 

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

Use the  ONLINE 111 coronavirus service 

Only CALL 111 if you cannot get help online as there is LONG WAIT

How long to stay at home

• if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for 10 days
• if you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll need to stay at home for 10 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms

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 10 days.

If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible

Read the advice about staying at home.

Suffolk Local Resilience Forum have also created an "easy to understand" guide for anyone who has been told to self-isolate. 

For patients with suspected coronavirus who have not been admitted to hospital and are self-isolating at home, please click HERE to read a patient safety leaflet with more guidance.

COVID VACCINATIONS & PATIENT INFORMATION

For up to date information regarding Covid-19 and the VACCINATION PROGRAMME  please visit the new Local Covid-19 Website HERE

Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine UPDATE

New guidance has been issued for the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. This follows further reviews by the independent regulator, the MHRA, and the Commission for Human Medicines, of a very small number of people in the UK who have developed a rare blood-clotting condition since having the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

The MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations have emphasised that the risk of this condition is extremely small and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. They have recommended that:

• Everyone who has had the AstraZeneca vaccine should still have a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, irrespective of age, unless they have had a blood clot or have an existing risk of thrombosis (blood clotting)
• People aged 40 and over or who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease should still be offered the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits in protecting them against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition.
• People aged 18-39 who do not have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where available. (This has been recommended as a precaution as people under 40 are at less risk from Covid-19 and not because they are considered to be at particular risk of developing the rare blood clot.)
• People under 40 can still choose to have the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine if this will mean they can be protected more quickly and they have been made aware of the guidance.

Please click HERE for more guidance that has produced by Public Health England and the NHS to answer any questions you may have

Covid-19 Information in other Languages

Suffolk County Council have produced a guide in different languages and formats explaining Tier 4 COVID-19 guidelines.  To access these, please click HERE

NHS England have also produced some videos in other spoken languages to help ensure patients are aware of the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. To view them please click HERE

Vaccination Certificates

The surgery is unable to offer you a certification of Covid vaccination, a vaccination passport or a letter to prove you have been vaccinated against Covid-19. You can however find details of all your vaccinations on the NHS App: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/

Proof of vaccination documents have not yet been developed and, as such, cannot be provided by your GP.

Track and Trace Service 

Before you consider getting tested, please click here for an update from the Department for Health & Social Care 

The NHS test and trace service ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents. 

It helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus. For more information on how to get tested click here

“To support the NHS Track and Trace programme, we will be recording the details of anyone who comes into the surgery. The NHS Track and Trace service may require us to provide them with your information in order to contact you about a cluster or outbreak of COVID19 and any contact you may have had with an infected person. We will only keep this for 21 days and then destroy it.”

Click on the UPDATE from Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health Suffolk for the latest Covid-19 testing in Suffolk  11 September 2020 

Please remember, it is practice policy to ask patients to wear a face covering when attending the surgery.

Please be aware that the practice does not provide exemption certificates or letters but if you feel you fall into this category, please click here where you will find current Government guidelines and resources to download an exemption card if you wish. 

For more information on your road to COVID-19 Recovery click HERE

IOM UK (Migrant Information Service)

IOM UK has designed a Migrant Information Service to provide extra support to migrants in the challenging context of the Covid-19 crisis.

The info service includes:

• a multilingual website www.covid19uk.iom.int
• a telephone service 0800 464 3380
• information to migrants living in the UK on 5 key topics: health, work, benefits, visas and immigration, housing and homelessness.

For more information on Social Distancing:

• visit https://gov.uk/guidance-on-social-distancing.

• Get an isolation note

  Use this service if you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.

You should not need a fit note (medical certificate/sick note)

This service is only for people who:

• have symptoms of coronavirus
• live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus

Just click the link below

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Our practice is part of the My Care Record approach which is supporting the work of health and care organisations across the East of England as they respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For example, we are working to make sure doctors, nurses and co-ordination staff at places you may receive advice or treatment can see important information from your GP record. This could include NHS 111 or treatment centres. This will make it easier and faster for them to deliver effective care. For more information, including the Privacy Notice, please visit the “My Care Record” section on our website here

Click here for Exercise guidelines for Vulnerable Patients

If you're stuck indoors, why not try this 20minute exercise program!

Click here to start

Due to the coronavirus pandemic patients that request an appointment will be triaged by a clinician via the telephone who will decide whether you need to be seen face to face. 

Welcome to the Barrack Lane & Stoke Park Medical Centre Online service called SystmOnline

*Please note that Stoke Park Surgery is a Branch Site and for urgent appointments it may be necessary for you to be seen at Barrack Lane.

The Practice offers Online Services for our patients including managing appointments, repeat prescriptions, and patient access to detailed coded information kept on their medical records. If you would like to know more about this service please read the "Online Services" section under Further Information.

If you have a SystmOnline User Name and Password, please login to one of the following Services

If you do not have a username and password, ring us to register

Please be aware that a privately operated vehicle number plate recognition scheme is now in force at Barrack Lane Medical Centre with a permitted maximum stay of 60 minutes. Should you run over the allotted hour please inform reception.

Patients and visitors coming to the surgery that wish to make use of the car park MUST now register their vehicle immediately on arrival. Failure to do so will result in a penalty notice over which the practice has no influence.

Are you a Carer?

A carer is anyone, including children and adults who look after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problems or an addiction, who cannot cope without their support.

IF YOU FEEL YOU MAY BE A CARER PLEASE LET US KNOW AS WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU. 

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Please click on the link below that we hope you will find useful.

A Guide to Care and Support 

Common Childhood Illnesses & Wellbeing in Suffolk

For advice on common childhood illnesses click here where you will find a guide for parents and carers of children from birth and beyond. There is also an App for Apple and Android Devices to download, available from the App Store and Google play

OneLife Suffolk is a new integrated healthy lifestyle service, providing the following services:

• health promotion and messaging
• children, young people’s and adult weight management
• specialist behaviour change
• support to increase physical activity, including walking for health
• tobacco use prevention, harm reduction and smoking cessation
• NHS Health Checks outreach

 For more details please Click here 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a medical condition that makes me extremely vulnerable to coronavirus?

You’re extremely vulnerable if you:

• have had a solid organ transplant
• have any cancer and are getting chemotherapy
• have lung cancer and are getting radical radiotherapy
• have cancer of the blood or bone marrow, at any stage of treatment - for example, leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• have any cancer for which you’re getting immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments
• have any cancer for which you’re getting a targeted treatment which can affect the immune system - for example, protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
• have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppression drugs
• have a severe respiratory condition - including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• have a rare disease or inborn error of metabolism that significantly increases your risk of infection - for example SCID or homozygous sickle cell
• are getting an immunosuppression therapy that’s sufficient to significantly increase your risk of infection
• are pregnant, and have a significant congenital or acquired heart disease

click here for guidance on protecting and shielding the extremely vulnerable

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients published 1st April 2020 for extremely vulnerable

What letter was sent to people classified as "extremely vulnerable" by the government?

Click here for the Standard Version

Click here for the Easy Read version

If someone needs help with daily living and is "extremely vulnerable" but has no one who can help, how do I access help?

If you need help with care but you are not sure who to contact, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirusextremely-vulnerable or call 0800 0288327 which is the government helpline

OK I see I am not in the "extremely vulnerable" group but did the government not say that some people are "vulnerable"?

On Monday 16th March 2020 the UK government announced a package of measures, advising those who are or may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

 This group has been identified to the public as those who are:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (i.e. anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds): 

• chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure • chronic kidney disease

• chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis • chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy

• diabetes • problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

• being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above) 

• those who are pregnant

But some of the conditions on the "vulnerable" list are the same as those on the "extremely vulnerable" list are they not?

Yes that is true but lets look at a couple of examples. In the case of respiratory conditions such COPD you have to have them severely to be classified as very vulnerable. Another example is pregnancy which would make you vulnerable, but you would have to be pregnant with significant heart disease to be classed as extremely vulnerable.

Why is this important? If you are vulnerable you need to follow strict social distancing measures. If you are extremely vulnerable you need to be shielded for 12 weeks

What is social distancing?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are to:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible
3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
4. Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.
5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

• are over 70
• have an underlying health condition
• are pregnant

FOR MORE DETAILED GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING CLICK HERE

What is shielding?

Shielding is a measure to protect extremely vulnerable people by minimising interaction between those who are extremely vulnerable and others. This means that those who are extremely vulnerable should not leave their homes, and within their homes should minimise all non-essential contact with other members of their household. This is to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) from coming into contact with the virus.

If you think you have a condition which makes you extremely vulnerable or have received a letter from NHS England you are strongly advised to shield yourself, to reduce the chance of getting coronavirus (COVID-19) and follow the face-to-face distancing measures below.

The measures are:

1. Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.
2. Do not leave your house.
3. Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services.
4. Do not go out for shopping, leisure or travel and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.
5. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.

We know that stopping these activities will be difficult. You should try to identify ways of staying in touch with others and participating in your normal activities remotely from your home. However, you must not participate in alternative activities if they involve any contact with other people.

click here for guidance on protecting and shielding the extremely vulnerable

I have not received a letter from the government to say I am extremely vulnerable to coronavirus but heard that some people would be added to the list by their GP because of complex or multiple medical problems. Why have I not been contacted by the practice?

If you have still not been contacted by the government about any guidance on this and you feel you need to be added to the list because of your medical problems, a doctor or nurse practitioner will be able to talk to you on the phone and make a decision. Guidance for practices from the government is updated regularly.

Background and FAQs for Clinicians published 3rd April 2020

Do I need a medical certificate if I am self isolating?

You should not need a fit note (medical certificate/sick note)

However get an isolation note online using the link below. Someone can do it for you if you have trouble with technology or don't have an email address.

• Use this service if you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.

This service is only for people who:

• have symptoms of coronavirus
• live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus

Just click the link below

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Can I have a medical certificate for 12 weeks if I have to be shielded?

Yes. Just contact the practice. HOWEVER most employers will just accept the government shielding letter that you will have received and will not require you to also submit a medical certificate.

Is there any guidance for employers and employees?

This is not an area we are expert in so have a look at this useful link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Advanced Care Planning

NHS England have produced an excellent template in April 2020 on how to think about and communicate our wishes in the event of being badly affected by COVID-19. To view it please click here

Need advice from your doctor? Click on our online consultation service below