Welcome
Flu Vaccinations
We have been working jointly with our local Public Health Department, Kernow CCG and other GP Practices to set up a covid compliant flu delivery this year.
Who is being invited?
Some groups of patients are invited for the flu vaccination because they may be more susceptible to the effect of flu. These are usually people that have a long term illness or disease. This year also people living with someone who is on the NHS shielded patient list are included.
This year there are also plans for the flu vaccine to be given to people aged 50 to 64 years old at a later date and the government will provide more information on this later in the year.
There is some Government advice here
How and when will I be invited for a flu vaccination?
Invitations will be coming out via text and email next week; followed by letters for those whom we do not hold mobile numbers or email addresses.
Where will the vaccinations be given this year?
The majority of the flu vaccinations will be given via a drive through facility at the Eden Project, Bodelva, Par, PL24 2SG, there will be alternative arrangements for those who are too frail or vulnerable to travel. Please use the main entrance and follow the signs. The following dates will be for Fowey River Practice patients. It is imperative you book into the Fowey dates only, as you will be turned away if you book in for a date when we are not there.
Please book into one of the following sessions:
Saturday 10th October
Thursday 15th October
Saturday 17th October
Saturday 7th November.
These appointments can be booked via the internet and the invitation link you will receive will look like: https://vdt.app/cf/1333/*********
We kindly ask that if you, a family member or friend has access to the internet that you book in by using the link that was on the text/email. If you have problems booking online there is a request on the site to report problems which are usually resolved within a few days.
For those without internet access:
There will be a call centre run through Public Health which will be open weekdays from 8am - 1pm on 01872 309378. Please note this is only for those who do not have access to the internet.
How you can help:
- Wear a face covering
- Wear loose clothing to allow quick access to your arm
- Arrive on time
- Don't attend if unwell
What to do if you are unwell
Please DO NOT attend if you are unwell or you have a temperature, new persistent cough, flu like symptoms or new loss of sense of smell or taste.
You should book a covid test if you are having any of the above symptoms via the NHS website or by calling 119.
Computer System Change
Thank you for your patience with our recent computer change. We are now fully up and running with our new system. Online Services are coming gradually as we have to re-register everyone that had previously registered with the Waiting Room. If you have not received an email from us, please contact Paula Julian at the beginning of November via the contact details above.
Help at Hand Community Information App: 
The Help at Hand community info App provides you with easy access to the latest support services available in the Fowey area, by telephone and online.
This App is available via the App Store (iPhone, iPad) or Google Play (Android).
The App and most of the services listed on it are completely free of charge.
Please share with your friends, family and work colleagues. We aim to make sure all these support services are available to everyone.
Thank you and keep safe.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/help-at-hand-community-info/id1441107175
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=community.hand.help
https://hand.community/
Self Referrals to the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme
If you feel you are vulnerable at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and you would benefit from the NHS Volunteer Responders you can self-refer to the scheme rather than depending on us or other professionals to refer you.
The number to make a self-referral is: 0808 1963646.
The volunteers can help you with shopping, prescription deliveries, biological sample collection and transport to medical appointments.
Coronavirus Trial:
Join a COVID-19 clinical trial
The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if
- You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
- a continuous new or worsening cough
- a high temperature
- You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
- You are aged 65 and above
CORONAVIRUS:
Government guidance now dictates that anyone attending the surgery must wear a face covering. We would appreciate your help with this. Further guidance is available here.
Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public.
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days.
Please do NOT book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do.
Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have posted another one of our #ThankYouNHS series thanking staff across the NHS for protecting our communities and reducing the spread of the coronavirus.
A new GOV.UK WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Service has now been launched. The purpose of this product is to combat the spread of misinformation propagated through WhatsApp on an Official Government channel. To use the service, members of the public simply add +44 7860 064422 to their contacts and send a WhatsApp message saying “Hi”.
How we are dealing with Coronavirus
In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, we are temporarily changing the way in which the Practice operates. This is to protect our elderly and vulnerable patients by separating our routine general practice work from patients presenting with a possible infectious illness. All routine work is now being undertaken in Fowey Surgery.
As from 25th March our procedures will once again be changing.
Both of our sites (Par and Fowey) will be complete triage. This will mean that if you phone for an appointment then the receptionists will ask for some details Attached. The doctor will then call you back and offer you an appointment if necessary. You will be given a time to arrive at the surgery and we ask that you remain in your car. The doctor will call you and ask you to come into the surgery for your appointment. Please do not bring anyone else with you unless you absolutely have no choice (mobility issues, problems understanding, or if it is child will be acceptable.) We are taking this approach to prevent patients sitting in the waiting room.
Medication:
Your medication will be issued as normal. However, you will also no longer be able to come into the surgery to collect prescriptions. This is to prevent too many people in the waiting area. All prescriptions will need to be sent electronically to the chemist (for this we will need your consent - please call reception and tell them that you would like your prescriptions to go electronically and to which chemist).
Order prescriptions online (links below).
Please order your medication 7 days in advance, this will allow us time to process your prescription whilst ensuring you don’t run out. Prescription requests WILL NOT be taken by telephone. We are not able to process more than a months' worth of medication at a time. This is to prevent stock piling and creating a lack of available medication for the whole country.
Appointments:
Clearly this is a rapidly evolving situation and our service may have to change to reflect this but please be assured that the care of our patients will be met as far as we can.
Nurse Appointments:
Will no longer be pre-booked unless you require the following procedures:
INR, Dressing, Removal of Stitches/sutures, Childhood Immunisations and Cervical Screening that requires an early repeat in 3, 6 or 12 months.
There are many blood tests that we will book including drug/condition monitoring, however, routine bloods will be suspended. Patients requiring B12 injections will be booked on a case by case basis after telephone triage with the Clinician.
We will no longer be routinely offering ear wash outs, shingles or travel vaccinations.
Obviously this is a summary with many procedures not mentioned. If you are in doubt please speak to the Receptionist who will be able to advise you fully with the latest guidance.
Self Help:
We will endeavour to keep our website updated but there are ways you can help yourself:
Use eConsult (link above)
NHS England have produced a very simple 'Stay At Home' guidance document which is attached here.
We have currently suspended ALL online appointments due to additional information being required on booking because of Coronavirus.
(Site updated 09/11/2020)