COVID RESTRICTIONS - Keeping Patients and Staff safe
Our current policies regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing remain unchanged
The relaxing of general public restrictions from 19 July does not apply to Healthcare Settings
Further guidance is expected in the near future
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Covid-19 Vaccinations
We are very excited to report that we have now vaccinated approximately 10,000 patients at our SWIFT PCN Vaccination Site at Knowle West Healthy Living Centre, 2 Downton Road, BS4 1WH!
Our Vaccination Team are working tirelessly to invite all eligible patients for vaccination as soon as we possibly can. We are required to offer vaccines in strict order of priority and unfortunately we cannot make exceptions.
We know patients are keen to be vaccinated but please wait until we contact you which will either be by text, phone or letter. We will contact you as soon as we are able to offer you an appointment.
Our Navigation Team are unable to answer questions, offer vaccine advice or book vaccine appointments. We hope you will understand that the practice cannot handle a significant increase in call volumes due to vaccine queries which is why we have a separate Vaccination Team.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. No one will be left behind
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Did you have your first Covid vaccination with us?
If so, over the next few weeks, we will be inviting you for your 2nd vaccine when its due (this is likely to be between 11 - 12 weeks after your first). Please do not call the practice.
If you have a mobile phone, you may receive a text invitation from any of the 8 practices who are working together as SWIFT PCN (which is Armada Family Practice, Bedminster Family Practice, Crest Family Practice, Grange Road Surgery, Hartwood Healthcare, Hillview Family Practice, Lennard Surgery or The Merrywood Practice).
If you don't have a mobile phone, don't worry, we will contact you by phone or letter.
If you had arranged your 1st vaccine elsewhere (maybe at Ashton Gate or Bridgeview Medical Centre) they will invite you for your 2nd vaccination so please do not contact us as we are unable to provide your 2nd vaccination.
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BNSSG Clinical Delivery Group Statement in relation to AstraZeneca vaccines across our local area
- We are aware that some countries have temporarily suspended the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine
- The AstraZeneca vaccine has been rigorously tested by the UK medicines regulator (the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, MHRA), the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation for safety and efficacy
- The UK has administered 11 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and there has been no demonstrable difference in the number of blood clots since the vaccine was introduced
- The benefits of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any risks and people should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so
- All vaccines that are available have been approved because they pass the MHRA's tests on safety and efficacy, so people should be assured that whatever vaccine they are given will be highly effective and protect them from coronavirus
- Due to the nature of the vaccine supply combined with the evidence that all the available vaccines are safe and effective, it is not possible for individuals to choose which vaccine brand they receive
- Further information is available on the Healthier Together vaccination page, along with lots of other responses to common FAQs: https://bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk/covid-19-mass-vaccination/.
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Unpaid Carers
The vaccination programme is now vaccinating people with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers. Unpaid carers are defined as those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or main carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable. To be eligible, carers must deliver personal care to the individual at risk. This does not include for example, shopping or cleaning.
The vaccination programme includes unpaid carers who are defined as those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or main carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable. To be eligible, carers must deliver personal care to the individual at risk. This does not include for example, shopping or cleaning.
If you are already a carer with either your GP or the local authority or you are eligible for carers allowance you do not have to do anything. You will be invited for vaccination either by your GP or through the covid-19 Vaccination National Booking Service. Please wait until you are called directly.
Please do not be concerned if you are invited for vaccination more than once. For example, if you are registered as a carer with your GP and you receive carer’s allowance, you may receive 2 invitations. Please only book one appointment.
If you are not registered with any of these bodies or you do not receive carers allowance then you will also have the opportunity to be vaccinated. A national system is being developed which will enable you to self-identify as a carer and book a vaccination. Further information on this system will be available in the coming weeks but in the meantime it is very important that you do not contact your GP or local authority directly to request a vaccination. Carers looking for additional support should contact the relevant Carers Support Organisation. They can be contacted via info@carerssupportcentre.org.uk and 0117 965 2200 for Bristol and South Gloucestershire or carersupport@alliancehomes.org.uk 03000 120 120, option 3 for North Somerset.
We will be prioritising vaccination based on risk and therefore those with underlying health conditions or on the shielded patient list (clinically extremely vulnerable) will be vaccinated as a priority. Please do not be concerned if you are not contacted immediately for vaccination or have to wait a short while to book an appointment. We remain committed to vaccinating everyone who is eligible, as soon as possible.
We are Still Here For You
During this Covid-19 pandemic, the safety of our patients and staff is paramount. We are following national and local guidance around how we can best offer healthcare and safely resume services. We also have to link in to what other hospitals and services are doing.
We are still limited in relation to the number of people we can have in the practice at any one time to ensure a safe environment for our patients and staff. For these reasons;
- Patients with appointments gain entry to the practice via the buzzer and intercom to the right of the doors into the practice. Our doors remain closed at this time
- Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes ahead of your appointment time as we may have to ask you to wait outside
- All patients are asked to wear a face mask whilst in the practice. Please discuss with our Navigation Team in advance if you cannot wear a mask
- The majority of consultations will be by telephone or video, initially at least. Rest assured that if a clinician needs to see you face to face, arrangements will be made. You may also be asked to send in photographs where this is likely to help a clinician
Don’t let worries about Covid-19 stop you seeking medical help when you need it. If you or a loved one has signs of a serious condition or illness like a stroke or severe chest pain get help straight away by going to A&E or calling 999 https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/when-to-go-to-ae/
Thank you for your support. Stay safe.
What's New for August 2020?
Care Navigation
Like many other practices we are, from Monday 3rd August 2020, introducing Care Navigation alongside a new appointment system, which will help us to make the best use of the resources available and ensure that patients;
- receive the most appropriate care
- from the most appropriate health care professional
- at the most appropriate time
Our Navigation Team are not medically trained but, at the request of our GPs, they will ask some questions to enable them to navigate patients to the most appropriate source of help
Please help them to help you by providing a brief description of your concern and answering any questions they may ask. Information provided is dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
For information about appointments please see our Appointments page
Helping You To Better Health
Here at Bedminster Family Practice we offer a full general practice service and run specialist clinics for diabetes, COPD, coronary heart disease and asthma sufferers and for minor surgery.
We aim to treat all our patients promptly, courteously and in complete confidence. We believe it is important that you know who you are speaking to and so our practice staff wear name badges and also identify themselves on the telephone.
Your Health and Local Services
The Bristol service finder app can help you find your nearest, most appropriate health service using GPS mapping, wherever you are in England. Click this link to find out more
HEALTH AT HOME PUBLIC CAMPAIGN
The general public have been asked to stay at home as much as possible. If people need an NHS service, they should try to do it online from home first (unless it is a serious or life-threatening emergency, they feel very unwell, or to attend ongoing treatment and have been told to do so). The Health at Home campaign signposts the public to useful information about how to contact their GP, order repeat prescriptions, manage their wellbeing & existing conditions – without leaving their home.
Important update:
Urine samples left at reception desk
Please note that urine samples can no longer be accepted by our receptionists unless the sample has been requested by a doctor or nurse. Safe testing and interpretation can only be provided if a doctor or nurse recommends a test. If you believe you need any form of medical test please arrange a nurse or doctor appointment to allow for a proper assessment and management plan.
Login to Patient Access Online Services for booking appointments and ordering prescriptions
Special educational needs and disability (SEND)
A child or young person has special educational needs and disabilities if they have a learning difficulty and/or a disability that means they need special health and education support, shortened to SEND. Further information can be found by visiting https://www.bristol.gov.uk/web/bristol-local-offer/about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9awWjd66-rQ&list=PLCnBBaWxNNLXqxJoWGxes6i4fS3V4PF6i
(Site updated 20/07/2021)