Covid 19 Vaccinations

Please be advised that eligible patients can book appointments by logging onto the National Booking System Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

You can also see where walk-in vaccinations will be available by going onto the grab-a-jab website Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

NHSE will also be sending letters to all eligible people to remind them to book a vaccination appointment.

Information about the COVID19 vaccination programme can be found here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine/

Please do not contact the practice about these vaccinations.

Wellbeing Walks.

National emergency alert scheme


Advice for vulnerable people –

The national alert service will be tested on 23 April, and will see a loud siren like sound emitted from mobile phones.

For those for whom this could cause danger, there is the option to switch off the alert. This document provides more information. This has been shared with domestic abuse services.

New Health & Wellbeing Team

We are delighted to welcome two new Social Prescribers to the team at Caen Medical Centre.

Charlotte Buttery and Karen Mottram will be working alongside the multi disciplinary team at Caen supporting our patients.

For further information please go to our Health & Wellbeing Team page

Devon COVID-19 Vaccination Support Team

The Vaccine Support Team is here to support patients across Devon with obtaining their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Email: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net

Telephone: 01752 398836

Vaccination appointments can be booked online, alternatively patients can attend a walk-in vaccination site. For more information, please visit the NHS.UK website; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/

Patients can also call 119 if they have questions or need help with booking COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, NHS COVID Pass, and more.

Scarlet Fever/Strep A

The current guidance for parents and carers is to contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

  • your child is getting worse
  • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
  • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
  • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
  • your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Cases of invasive Group A Strep are rare, but parents should be aware of what to look out for. If you think your child is seriously unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. More info: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/05/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/

Parents know when their child is not themselves, so if you think your child is poorly and getting worse, trust your instincts and contact NHS 111 or your GP. Visit: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/05/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/

Group A Strep (GAS) is a common bacteria that causes a range of various infections, including scarlet fever. These infections are usually mild. For more information visit: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/05/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/

HANDi Paediatric App

Not sure what to do when your child is unwell?

Download the free HANDi Paediatric app, which is available right across Devon, and get expert advice on childhood illness when you need it.

Search for ‘HANDi app’ on Apple or Android, or click the link below for further information:

https://devonccg.nhs.uk/health-services/children-and-young-people/handi-app

Cervical Screening Awareness 20th-26th June

Some people find cervical screening a really difficult thought. Jo’s cervical cancer trust wants to help make the test easier, and this week will be talking about how we can make that happen.

Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 should have a cervical screening every 3 years. Those aged 50 to 64 will be invited to be screened every five years. If you’re offered a test, it’s important for your health that you go. Early detection of the types of HPV that can cause cancer can improve health outcomes.

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-screening-awareness-week

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

Autistic Pride Day -18th June

June 18th is Autistic Pride Day. Set up by Aspies for Freedom some years ago, the day aims to celebrate autistic people and share stories of positivity about those who are neurodiverse.

An autism diagnosis can mean big changes to your life. For some people who are diagnosed, it can give a real sense of relief. The National Autistic Society offers support to autistic people and their families.

http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/index.html

https://www.autism.org.uk

New Patient Triage Service

We are delighted to announce that along with all North Devon GP practices we are in the process or transferring our online patient triage service from eConsult, to Patient Triage.

This new Patient Triage service will provide the same service to contact your GP online, or another member of the team and will usually be actioned within 3 days (often sooner). The new service provides a much easier streamlined service for our patients, with less forms to fill in, however we do ask that you ensure you provide full information in the boxes you are presented with to enable us to understand your requirements.

Patient triage is a safe way to start a non urgent consultation with your GP, to contact the Admin team with an administration request, to request fit or sick notes and to send over photos where you have been asked to do so.

We ask that our patients please use the new Patient Triage service once it goes live, instead of eConsult, as this service is due to be switched off imminently.