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Adur Health Partnership are now delivering both the covid booster and flu vaccines. We are working 7 days a week, vaccinating patients on Saturdays and Sundays (8-2pm) so as not to disrupt our weekday care. Each weekend we are giving between 1000 and 2000 vaccines but even at this speed it will take quite a time before we can offer the covid boosters to all 15,000 eligible patients. We would encourage you to consider using the national booking system to arrange a covid booster at other centres such as Brighton when you get the NHS text or letter.
The booster is the Pfizer vaccine (now known as Comirnaty) and can be given from 6 months after your second dose. We are also delivering 1st doses, second doses and for some groups of immunosuppressed patients an early 3rd dose. Please click on the link for national guidance on eligibility for boosters: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/
We will invite patients through an Adur Health Partnership text or phone call so please don’t call in until you’ve had our invite. We are over halfway through vaccinating our hundreds of care home residents and once this is complete we will start to plan for any bedbound patients who are unable to attend the Northbourne vaccination centre.
We would be very keen for anyone who hasn’t had their first or second doses to book in at this stage. Please contact the surgery and if you’d like, we’d be very happy to discuss any concerns which might have made you hold back.
Thanks for all your support at this difficult time.
Latest figures for Shoreham and Southwick
Well over 90% of patients over 65 have now been vaccinated and we are getting close to this figure for the 50+ age group too.
Are you over 50 years old?
If you are aged 50 and over and have not yet booked in for your appointment please do so asap. We still have a lot of appointments to offer for Saturday 10th April for first vaccination at Northbourne Medical Centre.
Second vaccination update
We are now in the process of carrying out second vaccinations. This week several teams have been out to our Care Homes and have started the second vaccinations for the residents.
Housebound patients will follow shortly.
Next clinics
We have lots of clinics coming up over the next few weeks:
Friday 2nd April – Fully booked
Saturday 10th April – Appointment available for first and second Astra Zeneca vaccination.
The next clinics following those dates will be: Friday 16th April, Sat 16th April and Sunday 17th April for second dose Pfizer vaccinations.
Will you have difficulty getting to your vaccination:
Sussex residents who have no means to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointment are now able to book a free return journey to help them attend.
To book free travel please book your vaccination appointment first and then call:
- 01444 275 008 for West Sussex residents
to speak to a travel coordinator. The booking service is available between 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.
Once you are through to a travel coordinator you will be asked the following questions:
- Do you have access to transport to attend your vaccine appointment?
- Do you have a family member, friend or carer who can help with transport? They do not have to be in your bubble as per government guidelines.
If both of these options are not available the travel coordinator will arrange transport for you, including any additional needs such as wheelchair-friendly vehicles.
All transport providers have signed up to a COVID-19 safety policy to ensure that all precautions are in place for a safe journey.
Reassurance about the use of Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine
We are aware that there are concerns being raised by members of the public following reports of blood clots in relation to the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and, most recently, the Irish authorities’ action to temporarily suspend this vaccine.
This briefing helps to provide key messages to be able to respond to any concerns and to encourage uptake of the vaccination.
Key messages:
- We are aware that there have been reports about the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, however the UK regulators are clear that the vaccine should continue to be used and people should attend their appointments.
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines and is responsible for the regulation of the vaccines being offered as part of this programme and they have reviewed all of the evidence.
- Their statement says that the available evidence does not suggest that blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) are caused by COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and people should go to their appointments as this is vital protection from COVID-19.
- This follows a detailed review of reported cases as well as data from hospital admissions and GP records.
- There is no evidence that blood clots in the veins are occurring more often in people who have received the vaccine than in people who have not, for either vaccine.
- The MHRA’s advice remains that the benefits of the vaccine against COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, continue to outweigh the risks of potential side effects.
- People should go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.
- Please continue to attend your appointment – this is really important protection for you and others
- Please work with us to book your appointment – this is really important protection for you.
Support during the Coronavirus disruption – Adur & Worthing Councils
Those people in the community who are feeling vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak are being given the opportunity to connect with a neighbourhood team that may be able to help.
Adur and Worthing Councils together with colleagues in the NHS and volunteers are currently establishing neighbourhood teams which will help vulnerable people who are isolated and in need of help with practical issues (see below)
If you have received a letter or text from the NHS or your Doctors Surgery titled “Important Advice”, as someone at risk of severe illness please also ensure you have registered with gov.uk to ensure that you receive additional support from the government and West Sussex County Council, this includes provision of a basic food package and household essentials will be supplied and delivered by major food service suppliers with established national delivery infrastructure.
Alongside this help for those who have received the letter we aim to support people living alone and self isolating without help from friends or family.
Community support might include help with food, help with money for example benefit claims, having someone to talk to, mental health support, safety advice, for example avoiding ‘scams’, and with accessing digital services
We aim to assess and support your needs as soon as possible and will deal with urgent requests first. Personal details will be safely shared with our community partners, which includes registered volunteers. Follow this link to register
https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-support/
If you cannot do so it is fine to ask a family member or friend from whom you are currently isolated to do it for you. This is the most efficient way of registering for help. If you cannot go online you can ring a hotline to register and someone will complete this form on your behalf on 01903 221222 which will be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. You should expect some delays if you choose this option.
Once you have filled in this form your needs will be assessed and if deemed appropriate passed to one of our Neighbourhood Teams who will arrange to contact you.
We anticipate that many of the issues that people might need help with might include:
- Help with food
- Financial guidance – help with your money, for example benefits claims
- Social isolation – Someone to talk to
- Mental health support
- Safety advice – scams
- Support with accessing digital technology
Register to volunteer
We also need volunteers to help with relief efforts. We need staff that you might not be using right now and can be re-tasked and also members of the community that can volunteer.
Tasks will be suited to people’s skills and what they are able to do.
https://adur-worthing-eforms.onmats.com/w/webpage/volunteer-to-help
Online Services – Sign up here to order your repeat prescriptions online
NHS APP
We recommend patient to download the NHS App. The NHS App gives you access to your medical records. You can verify your ID on the App. You will be able to order your repeat prescriptions and once we have face to face appointments again you will be able to book appointments through the app. Please see link below which will give you further information.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/
If you have problems signing up to this app you can register for Patient Access by following the instructions below:
During this uncertain time we are encouraging patients to use the online services for ordering their repeat prescriptions. If you are not already signed up for online services you can do so by completing the below online application form. Once completed please return to cwsccg.harbourviewhealthcare@nhs.net
Patient Access online application form
We understand that not everyone has access to a computer. We will not accept prescription request over the phone, but you can put your request into the pharmacist.
Sign up here for the Electronic Prescribing Service
We are also encouraging our patients to sign up for EPS. The GP’s will be able to sign your prescription and send it to the pharmacy electronically. You will not need to come into the surgery to collect a paper prescription. You do not need a computer for this service, you just need to inform us of your nominated pharmacy.
You can do this by either emailing us at cwsccg.harbourviewhealthcare@nhs.net Or call us after 11am on 01273 466052.
Appointments
We have taken the decision to reduce the amount of face to face appointments we have at both Surgeries. This is as an extra precaution to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. All patients will now have a telephone triage appointment initially with a Doctor. If they feel it necessary they will offer you an appointment for a face to face consultation. You may also be offered a video consultation if you have an appropriate smartphone, the receptionists will ask you this when you call for an appointment. We ask you to avoid coming to the surgery where ever possible unless you are unable to consult by phone (e.g. severe deafness).
We will still be running certain clinics, especially our nurses, we will still be able to change your dressings continue with baby immunisations for example. The Nurses will also be doing telephone consultations for their chronic disease patients.
If you already have an appointment booked our reception team will be contacting you to advise of the change of system. Please don’t call the surgery to check, we will be calling you if there is any change to your appointment.
If you require a prescription we urge you to get signed up for online access (if you have internet access). We also urge all patients to sign up for the Electronic Prescription Service. This will enable us to send your repeat prescription to the pharmacy electronically, therefore avoiding a visit to the surgery. You can do this by calling and letting us know which pharmacy you would like your prescription to go to, or you can sign up at the pharmacy.
You can also request your prescription by emailing us on cwsccg.harbourviewhealthcare@nhs.net
During this time we want to continue to provide the best care we can for all our patients and we hope you understand the precautions that we are taking at this time.