Antibody Testing
Antibody testing is being rolled out in Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire in a safe and phased way. It has begun within our hospitals. We will keep you updated as to when this test is available to wider staff and patient groups. Meanwhile, please may we request that you do not ask your GP about availability. This will help us to help you with all other urgent calls.
Please also note that as this is a new disease we don’t yet know if having antibodies means you are immune.
GP Online Service
Have you tried out the new facility for online health advice via Patient Access. Patients can check symptoms and be signposted to web-based information about their condition. The Online Health Advice feature gives access to a wealth of medical information including articles and videos.
By filling in a simple health enquiry form, patients can read information on how to treat their symptoms and what to do next. The form will then come through to the surgery who will review the information provided and respond within 48 hours. If the information provided by the patient indicates an urgent need for medical attention, they will be directed appropriately.
How does it work?
- Sign into or register for Patient Access at www.patientaccess.com
- Search for your symptoms or condition and select the results that match
- Read through the relevant health information and guidance tailored to your results
- Once you’ve read the advice, if you still need help, submit the details through the online form and a relevant staff member at the surgery will review it
- They will then advise if you need to contact elsewhere (999, NHS 111 or your pharmacy) based on your symptoms.
Flu vaccinations – who is eligible? |
Flu vaccination is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children at risk of flu and its complications. Flu can be unpleasant, but if you're otherwise healthy, it'll usually clear up on its own within a week. But flu can be more severe in certain people, such as: - anyone aged 65 and over
- pregnant women
- children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
- children and adults with weakened immune systems
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Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to help protect them.
Eligible cohorts:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups – for example chronic (long term) respiratory, heart or liver disease, neurological diseases like Parkinson’s or motor neurone, or with a learning disability or diabetes
- children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2019
- children in primary schools (reception and school years 1 to 6)
- pregnant women
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- those with close contacts to people with compromised immune systems.
- frontline health or social care workers
Find out more on the NHS website. |
Please contact the surgery if you are eligible and have not yet received your flu vaccination for this year.
Over half our population is affected by the menopause, so let’s talk about it more!
Sarah Jackson is our practice lead nurse on this subject, if you would like further advice on this please contact our reception team to book an appointment with her. https://rockmymenopause.com/
Prescribing of over the counter medications is changing.
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community. The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need. Please help the NHS to use resources sensibly. Please find attached a leaflet with more information attached here and a link to an easy read leaflet here..
Change of location for patients booked into the Wednesday Community Midwife Clinic.
The location for the Wednesday Community Midwife clinic has changed from the University Health Centre to Whitley Villa Surgery, 1 Christchurch Road, RG2 7AB with effect from the 13th of August. Dates and times of appointments are unchanged.
Please note, this does not affect the Monday Community Midwife clinic which will still run from the University Health Centre.
Patient Alert – All Accu-Chek Insight Insulin Pumps - Risk Of Alarm Failure
GP Online Service
We are currently testing out this new facility for online health advice via Patient Access. Patients can check symptoms and be signposted to web-based information about their condition. The Online Health Advice feature gives access to a wealth of medical information including articles and videos.
By filling in a simple health enquiry form, patients can read information on how to treat their symptoms and what to do next. The form will then come through to the surgery who will review the information provided and respond within 48 hours. If the information provided by the patient indicates an urgent need for medical attention, they will be directed appropriately.
How does it work?
- Sign into or register for Patient Access at www.patientaccess.com
- Search for your symptoms or condition and select the results that match
- Read through the relevant health information and guidance tailored to your results
- Once you’ve read the advice, if you still need help, submit the details through the online form and a relevant staff member at the surgery will review it
- They will then advise if you need to contact elsewhere (999, NHS 111 or your pharmacy) based on your symptoms.