Isolating to COVID-19 is no longer required, however please tell the Reception team when you are booking an appointment if you have a positive COVID test or have COVID symptoms.  Testing for coronavirus is no longer needed.

 Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Patients without respiratory symptoms or who are Covid-19 negative no longer need to wear facemasks when coming in to the surgery, unless this is their personal preference.

In addition, our staff are now not required to wear facemasks, unless it is their personal preference.

Patients who do have any respiratory symptoms (coughs, wheezing, etc.) should continue to wear facemasks / face coverings, if tolerated, for the safety of our other patients, our staff and our community.

If you are Covid-19 positive please do not come into the building, unless specifically invited in by a clinician.

For our patients with a current diagnosis of asthma, carrying your reliever inhaler (usually blue, often Salbutamol) with you is very important. If you normally take an inhaled steroid (brown inhaler) please continue to use it regularly.

There is no evidence to restart this medication if you have not taken it in the last 12 months or more,  If you have any concerns please see https://www.asthma.org.uk/coronavirus#Advice

Pharmacies are working hard to ensure there are sufficient stocks of Salbutamol for those patients that need them for asthma right now.  If you have not previously had a diagnosis of asthma, or have not needed a reliever inhaler for several years then there is no reason to request one now, including potential Coronavirus infection.

All staff responsible for issuing prescriptions have been given this advice. 

Please do not contact the surgery for medication that is not currently necessary in order to ensure supplies are reserved for those that do need them.

Paracetamol is a very useful pain-reliever offering some comfort for a wide range of conditions including headaches, general aches and pains, and reducing fever.  It does not change the progression of COVID-19.

Some people have been purchasing unnecessarily large amounts from retailers and local pharmacies. Pharmacies are working hard to maintain the supply for paracetamol, so that people who need it on a daily basis can still access it. Please continue to use the service as stocks will be replenished.

At the surgery we will only be able to issue prescriptions for small amounts of paracetamol if there is an ongoing clinical need. We cannot prescribe on a “just in case” basis.

Please do not buy more than you need and avoid contacting the surgery for medication that is not clinically necessary in order for us to reserve supply for those that do need them.

Please be aware that the COVID vaccination boosters are now available in the NHSApp.

If you need any further information, please see this page: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

If you notice any issues with any of the COVID vaccinations in the NHSapp, please contact 0300 561 0017. for assistance and ask to speak to the Vaccination Resolution Service. 

We are unable to assist with COVID vaccinations given overseas.  There is a national NHS service that can assist with this, please see the link below for more information: Tell the NHS about COVID-19 vaccinations you've had outside England - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you no longer wish to receive any invitations from the national invitation for COVID vaccines, there is a new service to opt out of this.  Please see this link below for further information: Choose your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination invitation preference - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or alternatively, please call 119 for assistance.

People in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate their COVID-19 status.

If your child is aged 5 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass. For further information, please see this link: Digital COVID Pass. Please be aware that you cannot sign up for the NHSapp if you are under 16 years of age.

A full course is currently two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Janssen single-dose vaccine. Vaccine status will be available through the NHS COVID Pass service from: 

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores 
• the NHS website 
• 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 (or one dose of the Janssen single-dose vaccine) more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 5 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.