Covid 19 - Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Q&A____________________________________
Important changes to routine & non-urgent blood test appointments
All GP practices are affected by the current national shortage of blood tubes and are taking urgent steps alongside our hospitals to prioritise their use for people with the greatest clinical need. This includes testing for serious conditions such as cancer.
We are following national guidance which has been issued in response to the shortage. As a result, we need to cancel and delay a number of patient appointments for blood tests deemed routine or non-urgent. If you have a routine blood test appointment, our navigation team will be in touch directly if we need to cancel your appointment. This will be by phone or text message.
Please be assured that appointments will be rescheduled once the situation has improved, and in line with national guidance. There are a few things you can do if you are affected by this change:
Keep checking our website for regular updates - we will be sharing the latest patient information here as soon as we receive it.
Check your phone for messages from us - we will also be using our patient text service to keep people informed.
Please don’t call or contact us with questions about routine blood tests - we are experiencing exceptional levels of demand at the moment, and your cooperation will help us to reach those without smartphone or internet access with this critical information.
Do get in touch if your condition worsens or changes so we can prioritise your blood test if necessary following clinical review
The changes are likely to be in place for at least four weeks. We will keep all our patients regularly updated as the national situation changes. We fully understand the frustration this is likely to cause, and apologise for the inconvenience.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the wider resources available locally to support you, including the emotional support line for those experiencing anxiety or distress. You can find more here: https://bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk/localresources/
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COVID RESTRICTIONS
Keeping Patients & Staff safe
In order to continue protecting our patients and staff, we are continuing to ask patients to wear face coverings within the practice
For anyone unable to wear a face covering or who may be exempt, please let our Navigation Team know so that suitable appointment arrangements can be made for you to receive the care you need
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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 be mindful of what hospitals and other services are doing.
We are still limiting the number of patients in the waiting areas 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 but we are not closed
- 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 covering whilst in the practice. Please discuss with our Navigation Team in advance if you cannot wear a mask
- The majority of consultations will continue to 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 ahead of a telephone or video appointment
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.
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/.
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
(Site updated 22/10/2021)