CORONAVIRUS

This is an important message regarding coronavirus.

To protect yourself and others please do not attend the surgery if you have a fever or high temperature or a persistent new cough.

You should isolate yourself at home for 10 days and follow the latest guidance on line at

http://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or telephone 111

During the current pandemic appointments with a doctor will be telephone triaged initially as we try to limit the number of patients entering the surgery

FLU VACCINES 2020

We have now secured further supplies of vaccines for patients eligible for the seasonal flu vaccination.

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If you already have an appointment booked we would ask that you PLEASE:

Attend your appointment at the time allocated

Sanitise your hands on arrival

Have your arm ready for vaccination (sleeve rolled up)

Follow the distancing markers and maintain distancing

PLEASE DO NO ATTEND THE SURGERY IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS

(High temperature/continuous cough/a loss or change to sense of smell or taste

PLEASE SEE INFORMATION BELOW WITH REGARD TO THOSE AGED 50-65 YEARS

The flu vaccine is currently being offered free of charge to people in the following at risk groups:

People aged 65 years or over

All pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)

People with a serious medical condition such as:

Chronic (long term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis

Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic liver disease

Spleen problems ie sickle cell disease or if the patient has had their spleen removed

Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease

Diabetes

A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS or treatment (such as cancer treatment)

Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)

People living in long stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality

The vaccine is also being offered this year to:

Household contacts of those on the NHS shielded list

Health or social care workers employed through Direct Payment and/or Personal Health Budgets.

In November and December: The 50 to 64 year old age group (pending National decision subject to vaccine supply)

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GP+ Appointments

Suffolk GP+ is available for people who urgently need a doctor's appointment or are unable to see their GP during normal GP opening hours.

Appointments can be made via reception during our usual opening hours.

Please note: Patients cannot refer themselves to this service.

The service is staffed by local Suffolk GPs and Nurse Practitioners in Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall and Haverhill and is an NHS service delivered by Suffolk GP Federation.

You will be given a booked appointment and will be seen by a suitable local GP or nurse who will have access to your medical records (once your consent is given).