HIGH IMPORTANCE - NATIONAL ISSUES WITH TESTING BLOOD SAMPLES
THERE IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE CHEMICALS USED BY LABORATORIES WHEN TESTING BLOOD SAMPLES.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED TO PAUSE ROUTINE TESTING OF BLOOD SAMPLES. WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN A NORMAL SERVICE WILL RESUME.
WE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT MANY PATIENTS TO CANCEL THEIR BLOOD TEST APPOINTMENTS. WE RECOGNISE THIS WILL CAUSE FRUSTRATION AND ANXIETY AND APOLOGISE FOR THIS BUT THIS SITUATION IS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE PRACTICE'S CONTROL. IF WE CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT, WE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO RE-BOOK AT A LATER DATE.
THE Department of Health IS LOOKING INTO THIS AND WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ONCE WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION.
PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE URGENT BLOOD TESTS WILL BE PRIORITISED BY THE CLINICAL TEAM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS TIME.
FLU SEASON 2020!!
It is that time of year again! Our flu clinics will once again be running over the autumn/winter period. We are sending out appointments shortly to all people who are eligible to have the vaccine. You are eligible if you:
are aged 65 years and over
-
have a chest complaint such as asthma or bronchitis
-
have diabetes
-
have a lowered immunity due to disease or cancer treatment
-
are pregnant
Anyone in these risk groups are more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to help protect them.
Please can we ask that all patients who are due a flu vaccine this year support their GP Practice, our Clinicians have updates each year and know how to deal with you if you have a reaction and anaphylactic emergency. The Surgery has control of infection audits each year to make sure that our premises are fit for purpose.
If you choose to go elsewhere for your flu vaccine then we may be left with fridges full of vaccines that have already been ordered and paid for; which is a large waste of money not only for us but the NHS as a whole.
Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at ristk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.
If you have received your flu appointment and it is not convenient, or if you have not received an appointment and you think you should have - please contact our reception team on (01205) 311133 - we are happy to help!
Greyfriars Surgery is still open and we encourage people to get in touch for any health concerns that cannot be dealt with at home by the individual, their family or friends, or the local pharmacy.
If you think you need to see a doctor, nurse, or other health professional, please call the surgery on (01205) 311133 to book an appointment to speak to a clinician.
Please only visit the surgery in person if you have an appointment.
Routine vaccinations and immunisations are important and are available at the surgery.
Make prescription requests online or by calling our dedicated prescription line on (01205) 319856 which is open between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
If you need to be seen face-to-face then you will be given an appointment to come to the surgery and this will be provided in a Covid-safe way.
These changes are happening to keep staff and patients safe.
We want to discourage people from queuing outside a GP surgery and waiting in the waiting area, to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
If you have any coronavirus symptoms, DO NOT come into the practice - self isolate and seek help via NHS 111 or 111.nhs.uk