Latest News Archives - Tavyside Health Centre

November 3, 2020

Flu Information

For patient’s aged 65 and over:

We have now received our final batch of flu vaccines for patients aged 65 and over. We will continue to call all those patients in this category, however, you are more than welcome to call and book an appointment at either Tavyside Health Centre or Lifton Branch Surgery.

For patients aged 18 to 65 who are ‘clinically at risk’

We are still waiting to receive more vaccines for patients who are eligible in this age cohort. Due to the national demand this year there has been a massive uptake, meaning we depleted our vaccines faster than we ever have before. We will of course inform patients when we receive more of these vaccines.

For patients aged two to 18:

We will contact you directly to invite your child in for their seasonal influenza vaccine. Children aged 2-3 years old we vaccinate or any child who is clinically at risk. For children in years reception and year one through to year seven are done via Virgin Care. If your child has yet to receive this vaccine or missed out, please contact 0300 247 0082

For those aged 50-65 and are NOT ‘clinically at risk’

We have received no further guidance for patients in this age category, therefore, will keep those who in this category informed as and when we know.

Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times.

Tavyside Health Centre

October 29, 2020

Latest News COVID

COVID-19 Update

A reminder that we are still only asking patient’s to come into the Practice should they have an appointment, are collecting medication, collecting sample pots or letters.

For anything routine, including booking appointments, please contact us via telephone or eConsult.

Thank you for your co-operation.

October 26, 2020

Latest News COVID

Free TALKWORKS for Challenging Times Workshop

TALKWORKS are the free NHS service for adults with low mood, stress and anxiety in Devon. We are running small, free, online workshops to teach some basic wellbeing techniques to help you manage stress especially given the current challenging times.

This two hour workshop will cover: managing worry and physical anxiety, setting goals/routines, and improving poor sleep habits. We will also give you more information on the services we provide and how we may be able to help you manage your own wellbeing. The first course is booked for Tuesday 3rd November 2020 at 17:30, it will be held online and has limited capacity so please call us on 0300 555 33 44 to register and book your place. Further dates will be released and available on our website (talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk).

October 16, 2020

Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?

Information about flu vaccine supplies

People who are most at risk from the complications of flu are recommended to get a flu vaccine every year. This winter it is especially important with flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) both in circulation. Research shows that if you get both at the same time you may be more seriously ill.

Who is eligible for a flu vaccine?

You can get a free flu vaccine if you are: aged 65 years old and over (including those aged 65 by 31 March 2021); have certain health conditions; are at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list) or live with someone who is; are pregnant; or receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick. Children aged 2 to 11 years old on the 31 August 2020 are also eligible for the flu vaccine

(with school aged children being offered it in school).

Some health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine at a GP surgery or pharmacy. This year the free flu vaccine will be offered to healthy 50 to 64 year olds later in the season. Visit www.nhs.uk/flujab for more information on why it is important to have the flu vaccine and check whether you are eligible.

Information about flu vaccine supplies

I am in one of the listed groups. Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine? Overall there is no shortage of flu vaccine with enough ordered to vaccinate 30 million people. However, it is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of vaccine so you may have to wait to receive your vaccination.

When the first deliveries arrive in September, vaccinations begin to be offered and these continue throughout the autumn. This season, early demand for flu vaccine has been higher than usual due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. This means that some GP practices and pharmacies will have to ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.

Can I go elsewhere if my GP practice or pharmacy has run out?

If you are eligible for the free flu vaccine, you may get it either from your GP practice or a pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccinations. This means that if one of them does not currently have stock in, you can try elsewhere. They should also be able to tell you when they expect their next deliveries.

Pregnant women can ask their maternity provider for the free flu vaccine and some of those visiting hospitals, either as in- or out-patients may also be offered the flu vaccine there.

Why are some people still being offered the vaccine and not others?

There are several types of flu vaccines available. You will be offered one that is recommended for you based on your age. This means some people will be offered a flu vaccine that is in stock while others, who need a different type of vaccine, may have to wait.

Wouldn’t it be better to have any type of flu vaccine rather than wait?

Providers of flu vaccination services are required to offer the vaccine that is most effective for you. It is better to wait to get the right vaccine so that you get the most benefit from it.

When do you need to have a flu vaccination for it to offer protection?

It is best to have the vaccine before flu starts to circulate, which is usually from December onwards. But if it is later in the year than this, it is still worth having.

The priority this season is to vaccinate those who are most at risk from flu first, including anyone aged 50 to 64 years old who has a health condition that makes them more at risk from flu. Other healthy 50 to 64 year olds will be offered the vaccine later on in the season (from November/December) when additional supply becomes available.

What should I do now?

If you can’t have your flu vaccine now, you will receive a letter notifying you when you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or pharmacy. Or you can stay in touch with them and book one at the next opportunity.

August 20, 2020

FLU INVITES

FLU 2020/2021 CAMPAIGN

Flu vaccine invitations are starting to go out today by text and letter.

Due to how the clinics will be operating this year, you may find that you receive an invite, however your spouse, partner or other family member may not initially receive one. Please do not worry, they will be invited, however, they will be asked to attend at a different time. If you do get separate invites and you rely on each other to attend the Tavistock site, please contact us on receipt of your invite.

August 11, 2020

Latest News COVID

Phlebotomy Service

Derriford Hospital Phlebotomy are currently offering to help take some pressure off general practice.

*FOR URGENT HOSPITAL BLOODS*

Phlebotomy Derriford offers a no appointment drop in service.

Opening hours : Monday-Friday 08:00 – 16:50

Location : Main Outpatient department level 6, waiting room 2

Contact number: 01752 763035

FOR ALL ROUTINE BLOODS

Home Park phlebotomy facility: (Until the end of September)

Located in the Mayflower Stand this area has been set up to provide a service for patients to help reduce the foot fall at the hospital. GP patients requiring a blood test are asked to use this facility rather than Derriford.

No appointment required as its a drop in service. Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:30

Telephone 01752 278436.

Before attending, it is imperative that you contact us and ensure your bloods have been added to the hospital system or risk being turned away when reaching Home Park or Derriford.

August 3, 2020

Flu Campaign 2020/2021 and COVID-19

UPDATE*

*We are receiving a high number of calls in regards to this years upcoming flu campaign. This year, we will be contacting all patients in relation to their appointments. For more information please read the below.

At Tavyside Health Centre our staff and patients health is our top priority and we are committed to ensuring that everyone is protected and safe when visiting the Practice’s during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will experience some changes at our annual flu clinics this year whilst we maintain social distancing guidelines.

All eligible flu vaccine patients will be contacted soon with a designated date and time slot. We ask where possible that you keep to the time slot you are allocated, unless you are for any reason out of the area. Due to high volumes of patients who will wish to have the vaccine this year it will not be possible to change allocated time slots easily.

Patients will attend the Practice at their allocated date/time and enter the surgery following the signs. You will join a socially distanced waiting line and check in with reception who will assign you to a clinician. You will be provided with a ticket explaining which booth you need to attend to receive your vaccine.

We will be admitting a maximum of 10 patients at a time in 15 minute time slots, at the end of each 15 minute time slot, we will wash down all surfaces and allow the clinicians to wash their hands and change PPE.

Vaccine deliveries permitting, we anticipate commencing our flu campaign in September and you will hear from us by text, email or letter. If you are housebound or have reduced mobility, please contact the Practice as soon as possible and ask to speak with our Operations Lead who will add you to the home visit list.

Many thanks for your continued support during these difficult and unprecedented times.

July 21, 2020

Latest News COVID

Face Masks

We are aware that some patients might be understandably anxious about the Government’s recent announcements around the use of face masks in various public settings.

GPs are unfortunately not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters for patients who feel that they should be exempt from wearing a face mask, whether in regard to their use on public transport or in any other setting as required by legislation.

The Government guidance on exemptions suggests there is no requirement for evidence for exemption therefore it is sufficient for an individual to self-declare this.

In the case of face mask use on public transport, the responsibility for issuing exemptions lies with the transport provider not your GP. Similarly, practices are under no obligation to provide letters of support for anyone who does not fall under the list of exemptions but considers them to have another reason to be exempted.

Government advice on the use of face coverings on public transport can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/…/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guid…

Some people don’t have to wear a face covering including for health, age or equality reasons. Some staff may not wear a face covering if it is not required for their job.

– Devon LMC

July 20, 2020

Booking a GP appointment

Since the beginning of COVID-19, many healthcare settings have had to change the way in which they work and constantly adapt to the changes surrounding the pandemic. We quickly changed to an all telephone style system where all patients would call in on the day before 11am and ask to speak with a doctor, they would receive a call and if deemed necessary would be seen in the Practice. This was appropriate during lockdown but as people are returning to school and work we feel the time is right to move forward to a ‘new normal’ while continuing to provide timely care and protect our patients.

So what is going to change?

There are going to be small gradual changes as the situation evolves. We still encourage all patients who wish to to call before 11am and ask to speak with the on call doctor (duty). We will however be adding routine telephone/video consultations which will be available to book online or by calling the Practice. Some time slots will be after 17:30 and at the weekends up to a week in advance and we ask that these slots are kept for patients who are unable to accept a call during the day.

eConsult

We highly encourage all patients to complete an eConsult wherever possible. All you need is internet access and you DO NOT need to sign up to use this service. eConsult can be found on our website’s homepage www.tavyside.org.

eConsults are not only beneficial to patients but also very beneficial to the Practice. If you complete an eConsult before 16:30, you will get a response the same day, if submitted after 16:30, you will have a response by the end of the next working day. With eConsult, it gives the patient the ability to put all their symptoms down and allows the GP to respond with all the information in front of them, phone calls do not always have this luxury.

Routine face-to-face GP appointments will remain unavailable at present.

If you need a nursing appointment, please contact the Practice on 01822 613517

May 28, 2020