News & Announcements
Practice Closed for Training 10/9/24 afternoon from 12:30
Please don’t be late for your appointment – allow extra travel time
A number of patients have been showing anger at our reception staff because travelling to the practice has been longer than anticipated meaning they have arrived late and then can’t be seen.
Roadworks are a common sight in Aldershot and the surrounding areas for sometime and by the look of it will be so for a while yet. Please allow a lot more time to get to your appointment including time to travel and park up if coming by car as the car park is always very busy. Some buses are not stopping at their usual bus stops so allow extra time. The practice is not responsible for delays or notifying patients of where there are road works or changes in traffic light control, if you are unfortunately late for your appointment then you will be asked to re-book as we can’t accept an arrival once you are more than 5 minutes late to be fair to all our pre-booked patients.
That is the policy of the practice and most likely most other practices as we just don’t have gaps and spare time between appointments to allow for late arrivals much like any other travel timetables.
Please don’t be angry or aggressive at our reception staff when you are late and we can’t then see you, they are only doing their job upholding the practice policy. Please take extra time and allow for delays in getting to the Health Centre.
BANK HOLIDAY 26th AUGUST MESSAGE
NHS to roll out jabs against killer lung disease for first time
Eligible people in England will soon be able to get a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) via the NHS for the first time.
Health chiefs today detailed their plans to offer the new RSV jab to those aged 75 to 79 as well as pregnant women past 28 weeks, in a bid to protect young children, from September.
A recent analysis has suggested that offering the jab to these groups could prevent 5,000 hospital admissions a season, and up to 15,000 A&E attendances among infants.
The same estimates said the jab rollout could also free up 20,0000 GP appointments and prevent 200 babies being sent to intensive care this winter.
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds and while a mild ailment for most healthy people they can be dangerous to elderly and very young children.
It can lead to serious infections and breathing complications like pneumonia and as a result RSV is responsible for between 20 to 30 deaths in children each year in Britain
Similar to previous years, those in vulnerable groups and the staff that care for them will be eligible for those vaccines.
However, while people can get their flu and Covid jab on the same day any who are also eligible for the RSV vaccine will need to wait at least a day between injections to maximise its effectiveness.
People who are eligible for the RSV jab are expected to be invited via their GP or workplace in the case of healthcare staff.
Steve Russell, the NHS’s national director for vaccinations and screening said: ‘This year for the first time, we will also be offering the RSV vaccine to older people and pregnant women, to provide vital protection against this dangerous virus for those at greatest risk.’
‘These viruses leave thousands of people in hospital each year, and the vaccinations help us to keep more people well during the winter months when we expect the NHS to again be under significant pressure – so please come forward as soon as you are invited.’
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne added: ‘For the first time ever this year, we’re offering RSV vaccinations as well as Covid and flu doses, supporting the most vulnerable people and protecting our NHS this winter.’
It can lead to serious infections and breathing complications like pneumonia and as a result RSV is responsible for between 20 to 30 deaths in children each year in Britain
The NHS’s plans for the rollout comes as part of its winter vaccine plans, which also includes Covid and flue jabs.
Similar to previous years, those in vulnerable groups and the staff that care for them will be eligible for those vaccines.
However, while people can get their flu and Covid jab on the same day any who are also eligible for the RSV vaccine will need to wait at least a day between injections to maximise its effectiveness.
While preventing severe RSV infections, and therefore hospital admissions, is a benefit of itself, health chiefs also hope the jabs will reduce winter pressures on NHS services in general.
People who are eligible for the RSV jab are expected to be invited via their GP or workplace in the case of healthcare staff.
Steve Russell, the NHS’s national director for vaccinations and screening said: ‘This year for the first time, we will also be offering the RSV vaccine to older people and pregnant women, to provide vital protection against this dangerous virus for those at greatest risk.’
‘These viruses leave thousands of people in hospital each year, and the vaccinations help us to keep more people well during the winter months when we expect the NHS to again be under significant pressure – so please come forward as soon as you are invited.’
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne added: ‘For the first time ever this year, we’re offering RSV vaccinations as well as Covid and flu doses, supporting the most vulnerable people and protecting our NHS this winter.’
Helping to stop smoking
If you are a smoker, you might receive a text message from us about local services that can help you to quit. Quitting smoking is a normal thing to do and is one of the best things you can do for your health. It will improve your ability to recover after illness or injury and it can even make some medications work better, meaning you might be able to reduce the dosage. If you receive a message from us, please take action, follow the advice and make use of the free stop smoking services available to you. Take control of your health!
Whether you receive a text message or not, there’s free help available to support you to becoming smoke-free. Visit our Quitting Smoking pages for more information and contact details: www.frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/quitsmoking
Microsoft Outage – Back to Normal Monday 22/7/24
Systems are back to normal following the Microsoft outage of last Friday although there are a number of appointments and prescriptions that need to be cleared in addition to those requesting new ones so please do bear with us whilst we clear the backlog. Hopefully our increased staffing levels will allow for back to normal from tomorrow.
Thank you for your support
National Microsoft Outage Update Saturday 20/7/24
The national Microsoft outage is still affecting the practice after testing today (Sat 20/7). Please only call us on Monday if urgent care is needed and it cannot be dealt with by NHS111. Prescriptions still cannot be issued whilst systems are not functioning. We will issue a further update as soon as we can through posting news bulletins on our website so please do check. https://bit.ly/3LyAu26 for updates and our facebook page
Global IT outage Friday 19/7/24
The NHS, including GP practices across England, is experiencing an issue with GP appointment and patient record systems due to a global IT outage. This means we currently have no access to medical records, prescribing or any functionality required to do our normal business.
Please note that we remain open and are seeing patients with existing appointments and those needing emergency same day appointments. We have enacted our business continuity plan to ensure we continue to provide services for our patients.
If you need urgent help or advice, we urge patients to use NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk/) or call 111.
Our GP practice phone lines remain open should you require to contact us direct. Please bear with us during this difficult time and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Carers UK Survey
Carers UK have launched their State of Caring survey 2024, would you kindly share the link below with all carers you come into contact with. It takes about 10-15 mins to complete.
Measles update
A number of new cases have been nationally reported although in single figures so the potential will most likely to be to see more cases occurring. If you are not sure, please call for a telephone appointment and do not come to the surgery until you have spoken with the GP. We need to manage the risk of measles spreading and the more we control our processes the greater our risk reduction will be.
Measles
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.
Check if you or your child has measles
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.
Cold-like symptoms
The first symptoms of measles include:
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- a high temperature
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- red, sore, watery eyes
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Spots in the mouth
Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.
The measles rash
A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.
The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They’re not usually itchy.
The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
If you’re not sure it’s measles
It’s very unlikely to be measles if you’ve had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you’ve had measles before.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP telephone appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
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- you think you or your child may have measles
- your child is under 1 year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles
- you’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system
- you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual
- your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual
- you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
- you or your child feels very unwell, or you’re worried something is seriously wrong
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Measles can spread to others easily. Call your GP surgery before you go in. They may suggest talking over the phone.
You can also call 111 or get help from 111 online.
How to look after yourself or your child
Measles usually starts to get better in about a week.
After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
It can help to:
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- rest and drink plenty fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature
- give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure
- use cotton wool soaked in warm water to gently remove any crusts from your or your child’s eyes
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Important
Stay off nursery, school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears.
Also try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
How to avoid spreading or catching measles
Measles is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
You’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash.
There are things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading or catching measles.
Do
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wash your hands often with soap and warm water
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use tissues when you cough or sneeze
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throw used tissues in the bin
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Don’t
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do not share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes, or bedding
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Complications of measles
Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.
Problems that can be caused by measles include:
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- pneumonia
- meningitis
- blindness
- seizures (fits)
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These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.
Measles in pregnancy
If you get measles when you’re pregnant, it could harm your baby.
It can cause:
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- miscarriage or stillbirth
- premature birth (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
- your baby having a low birthweight
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It’s important to get medical advice if you’re pregnant and have been in close contact with someone who has measles.
Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You or your child has measles and:
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- have a seizure (fit)
- severe difficulty breathing – you’re gasping, choking or not able to get words out (babies may make grunting noises or their stomach may suck under their ribcage)
- are unable to stay awake – cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds
- suddenly become confused – your child may be very unsettled, behaving differently, or crying non-stop
- your child is limp, floppy or not responding normally – their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head and focus on your face
- a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- a stiff neck, or find light uncomfortable or painful
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Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Get vaccinated against measles
The MMR vaccine can prevent measles. It also protects you from mumps and rubella.
The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in the UK. 2 doses can give lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Ask at your GP surgery if you’re not sure you or your child have had the vaccine. They can give it for free on the NHS.
MEASLES
Please see the PDF information leaflet in the viewer below. To view the original accessible PDF in a new browser window, please click here.