Important information about coronavirus (COVID-19)
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What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 vaccination third dose for immunosuppressed cohort
The government has identified a group of patients who should receive a third dose of vaccine as part of their initial vaccination programme. These are patients with severe immunosuppression around the time of their first or second COVID-19 vaccine doses. These patients are currently being identified by their GPs and hospital consultants and will be contacted shortly to come forward.
More information on the specific medical condition associated with immunosuppression can be found below:
COVID-19 vaccination booster programme
You will be aware that some people are becoming eligible for a COVID booster vaccination. This will be available to all those in cohorts 1–9 of the JCVI guidance which was used for the first phase of the vaccination programme and will be Pfizer unless a patient suffered a previous allergic reaction to the Pfizer jab:
- Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
- All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care work
- All those 75 years of age and over
- All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- All those 65 years of age and over
- Adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group
- All those 60 years of age and over
- All those 55 years of age and over
- All those 50 years of age and over
This will take place no earlier than six months after the second dose was received. All patients over 50 and at least six months post vaccination are being identified and contacted to come forward and there is no need to contact your GP. The NHS will be in touch when you are eligible.
Patients may be contacted by the National Booking Service and invited to book their booster vaccination at a vaccination site or alternatively they can wait to hear from their GP if they would prefer.
If feasible, patients may receive their flu and COVID booster vaccinations at the same time but if you are invited for one or the other please don’t wait – come forward to receive the vaccination that you have been offered to ensure maximum protection.
Some patients will be due a third dose as part of their initial vaccination programme particularly those who are immunocompromised. Hospitals and GP practices are working together to identify those patients that are eligible for a third dose. This will be at least eight weeks following their second dose and they will then be offered a booster six months after the third dose. The Pfizer vaccine is being used for all third doses unless there has been an allergic reaction to it previously. This group of patients is complicated to identify and they will be contacted as soon as possible.
Please do not contact the practice.
We will contact you when it is your turn to come forward.
COVID-19 vaccination third dose for immunosuppressed cohort
The government has identified a group of patients who should receive a third dose of vaccine as part of their initial vaccination programme. These are patients with severe immunosuppression around the time of their first or second COVID-19 vaccine doses. These patients are currently being identified by their GPs and hospital consultants and will be contacted shortly to come forward.
More information on the specific medical condition associated with immunosuppression can be found below:
Vaccinations for 12–15 year olds
You will have seen that as well as all adults, 12 year olds and older are now being offered the vaccination.
Healthy 12–15 year olds are being vaccinated through school immunisations team and this programme is subject to full consent protocol which is being managed by schools. Healthy 12 to 15 year olds will be offered one dose of the vaccination.
12 to 15 year olds with underlying health conditions have been offered vaccinations through their GP practice. This group of young people will be offered two doses of the vaccination.
16 and 17 year olds can now book through the national vaccination booking service or by visiting a drop in or walk in centre. This group will be offered one dose of the vaccination.
Are you recovering from COVID-19?
Support for your recovery from COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus can have a huge impact on our physical and mental health. People recover at different rates and experience different challenges during their recovery.
Your COVID Recovery from the NHS helps you to understand what has happened to you and what you might expect as part of your recovery.
The site features a wealth of information including:
Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and blood clotting
New guidance has been issued for the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
This follows further reviews by the independent regulator, the MHRA, and the Commission for Human Medicines, of a very small number of people in the UK who have developed a rare blood-clotting condition since having the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
The MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations have emphasised that the risk of this condition is extremely small and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. They have recommended that:
- Everyone who has had the AstraZeneca vaccine should still have a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, irrespective of age, unless they suffered any serious side effects after their first vaccination.
- People aged 30 and over or who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease should still be offered the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits in protecting them against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition.
- People aged 18–29 who do not have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where available. (This has been recommended as a precaution as people under 30 are at less risk from Covid-19 and not because they are considered to be at particular risk of developing the rare blood clot.)
- People under 30 can still choose to have the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine if this will mean they can be protected more quickly and they have been made aware of the guidance.
Whitby, Coast and Moors Primary Care Network will be starting to use a web-based solution to help us manage our appointment system for the COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
We will be sending text messages to invite patients to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine.
The message you receive will come from ‘accurx.thirdparty.nhs.uk’
We realise there are lots of scams out there at the moment and wanted to reassure you that if you receive a message from ‘accurx.thirdparty.nhs.uk’ inviting you to click on a link to book your appointment that it is a legitimate text message from your GP practice.
Once you click on the link in your text message you will be directed to our appointment system and be asked to choose an appointment time. You will also be asked for your date of birth. You will not be asked for any other personal information.
We understand that not everyone has a mobile phone or will be able to respond to a text message so we will continue to telephone those patients to invite them for their COVID-19 vaccination and book an appointment for them.
If you have any concerns please contact us.
You can watch a video with instructions for how to book a vaccination appointment:
COVID vaccine ‘passports’
From 17 May international travel will be permitted to a limited number of countries and in some cases proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required. The mechanism for proving your vaccine status is through the NHS app.
For those who cannot access the NHS app you can request written proof that you have received your COVID-19 vaccination by contacting the NHS on 119. Please do not contact your GP practice.
Planning to travel? The NHS app will be your COVID-19 vaccine ‘passport’.
A huge thank you to everyone involved with the COVID-19 vaccination programme
Local people most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 are now getting the protection they need. In the past three weeks over 2,500 people – those living in care homes, local residents aged 80 and over, and the frontline health and care staff needed to look after them – have received the first dose of a COVID vaccine. The NHS Local Vaccination Service, based at Whitby Pavilion/Spa, is run by the Whitby Coast and Moors Primary Care Network made up of all five GP practices in our area, supported by Scarborough Borough and North Yorkshire County Councils. As soon as more vaccine supplies arrive in Whitby we stand ready to call in the next groups of at-risk patients to receive their first doses.
But we couldn’t have achieved this so far – or continue to roll out the service to many more people over the coming weeks as well as providing the necessary second doses 12 weeks later – without amazing support from a host of other people.
So a huge THANK YOU from us to everyone who has helped – those local doctors and nurses coming out of retirement to help so practices can continue to run safely at the same time; the volunteers who braved the elements to steward people from the car park to the centre; the wonderful team at the Pavilion who’ve made us so welcome; the local traffic wardens who helped keep the drop-off area flowing safely; the local businesses who provided delicious food for staff; the carers and family members who did everything they could to help people (some over 100 years old) to get to the centre for their vaccine; and last but by no means least – to the patients whose grit and determination to be there was matched by their kindness and uncomplaining patience. To all of you – thank you!
We hope you will continue to support the Local Vaccination Service. You can also help the NHS and save lives by simply observing the lockdown rules to reduce unnecessary social contacts – stay home as much as you can; wash your hands regularly, cover your face and keep 2m apart where possible from people you do not live with.
Information about coronavirus COVID-19
We would like to ask all patients to:
Follow the current government advice on self-isolation and social distancing. Advice is being kept under constant review and you can find the latest guidance at: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Use NHS111 if the first instance if you have COVID-19 symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste – and would like medical advice. Please use NHS111 online if you have access to the internet: https://111.nhs.uk. Phone NHS111 if you do not have online access.
You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19. Call 119 or go to the NHS website to book: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing
Do not come to any GP practice unless you have been specifically advised to do so after a phone/video consultation with a clinician at the practice.
Symptoms
Coronavirus symptoms:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste
Protecting you and those around you
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
For those over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant, they are strongly advised against social contact and to significantly limit face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.
For those who remain well, are under 70 or do not have an underlying health condition, they are advised to limit their social contact where possible, including using less public transport, working at home and considering not going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and bars.
If you need medical help, the NHS is still here for you
If you need medical help from us, you can contact us online or by phone to be assessed.
If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111.
If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999
If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital.
You should continue to attend your appointments, unless you have been told not to attend.
GP services
As a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak, we are facing unprecedented demands on our services. In addition, we are also facing substantial staffing shortages due to those needing to self-isolate in line with current guidance.
We are working to minimise face-to-face contact with patients in order to:
– reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus;
– to protect our most vulnerable patients and staff; and
– enable clinicians to continue to care for those patients who need it most.
The vast majority of consultations will now be done via phone, e-consultations or video consultation. Clinicians will make a case-by-case decisions based on their experience to determine whether it is safe to manage each patient without physically seeing them or whether, in some circumstances, they need to see a patient in person.
Patients will be asked to ring the surgery with any query they have. All patients will be telephone triaged by the clinician.
Routine referrals
GP practices have started to send routine referrals into secondary where they have been reopened. As you will appreciate secondary care have a backlog of patient referrals to deal with so there will be delays and possible long waiting times.
Prescriptions
Order your medication as normal. Do not stockpile medication or request medication earlier than usual.
Do not request a sick note for any illness lasting 7 days or less or for any periods of self-isolation/social distancing. All non-dispensing patients prescriptions will be dealt with by Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and sent directly to your chosen pharmacy.
Routine vaccinations
- It is important that you or your baby or child still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community.
- If the person needing vaccination has coronavirus symptoms or is self-isolating because someone in the household is displaying symptoms, please contact us for advice.
Cancer patients
- If you have a symptom that you are worried about, you must contact us.
- Your clinician will discuss with you the benefits of starting or continuing your cancer treatment against the increased risks of contracting coronavirus.
Heart attack patients
- If you think you or a family member are suffering with the symptoms of a heart attack you must dial 999 immediately.
- If you or a family member develop symptoms such as heavy or tight chest pain that may spread to your arms, neck or jaw, or make you breathless, sick, sweaty or light-headed and that doesn’t go away, this could be caused by a heart attack. Dial 999 immediately.
Stroke patients
- If you think you or a family member are suffering with the symptoms of a stroke you must dial 999 immediately.
- You can spot the symptoms of a stroke by using the FAST test:
- Face – is the face drooping / fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – is it slurred?
- Time to call 999 if you see any of the above signs
Pregnant women
- If you are pregnant it is important that you still attend your antenatal appointments and continue to seek advice from your midwife or maternity team.
- If you are worried about your health or the health of your unborn baby, please contact your midwife or maternity team.
Dispensing patients
You can collect direct from our dispensary window, please knock on the window near the patient drop off area at Whitby and the window around the back at Robin Hoods Bay.
Inaccurate information - COVID-19 Rescue Packs
Circulating regarding special ‘rescue packs’ for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions
We have been made aware of some inaccurate information circulating regarding special ‘rescue packs’ for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Please do not contact your GP practice for a rescue pack; you should continue to manage your condition in the usual way.
If you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19, go to the NHS 111 dedicated pages at https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 before doing anything else.
Mental health and wellbeing
NHS is here to support your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as your physical health.
- If you are concerned about the mental health of your child, please contact us or check online self-referral options for under 18 years olds at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
- If you are facing mental health issues contact your GP or key worker, if you have one, and continue to access your mental health services as usual. We are also still open for new referrals, via your GP or online.
- If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety, you can get further information, including how to self-refer to psychological therapies at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
- If you are facing a mental health crisis, use the NHS 111 online service: https://111.nhs.uk If you cannot get help online, call 111.
Learning disability and autism
- If you need medical help reasonable adjustments will be made so you get the right care and support.
- Your local community teams and crisis support lines are available if you are worried or anxious.
The Retreat’s Primary Care Mental Health Support Service
We know many people are experiencing increased problems with their well-being in the current circumstances. It can be hard to access mental health services or to know what support is available.
We are offering free mental health support sessions to patients of your GP practice. These sessions will be with a qualified psychotherapist who will listen and explore what might help you, either on the phone or online video meeting. Individual sessions will be 30 minutes, and we also have support groups of 1 hour.
If you would like to access this support please call 01904 412551
For further details please visit the website for more information on all services.
The Go-To site for children and young people
A new website has been launched, dedicated to helping children and young people in North Yorkshire find mental health support.
The Go-To – www.thegoto.org.uk – is designed to be a portal or ‘single point of information’ showcasing the mental health support services offered by different agencies in the county.
With the majority of young people currently not in school and many in isolation as a result of the restrictions imposed on movement to deal with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, health leaders believe online mental health support for young people has never been more important.
Diabetes UK Befriending Circle
The befriending circle provides people with phone and email based peer support, matching people with trained volunteers based on their experience of diabetes. Anyone interested in accessing this peer support can self-refer. Please click here for more information and how you can contact the service.