We would like to update our patients on some exciting things that will be happening in the practice over the coming weeks and months.
We have updated our telephone system to give patients better, direct access to services in the practice. We did have some issues with this initially which were unfortunately beyond our control. Please be assured we did everything we possibly could to ensure you were inconvenienced as little as possible. We would like to give our sincere apologies if you felt this was a problem.
You will notice that we now have a new front entrance with automated doors. This is to ensure that all visitors to the practice can gain safe and easy access - Currently due to COVID-19 you will still need to use the intercom on arrival. Please be aware the door will swing outwards.
We are also looking forward to having some changes made to update our Reception and Dispensary areas. This should give all patients improved access to these areas. We are also adding a cycle rack. Those that cycle will have a safe and secure place to leave their cycles. These will be left at your own risk.
We will endeavour to ensure that these changes do not impede on the services the practice offers and welcome your feedback on the changes once they have been implemented
Stay Well - Stay Safe.
The Reynard Surgery.
OVER 80 COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
If you, a family member or friend are 80 yrs old or over and have not been contacted by The Reynard Surgery to book your Covid-19 vaccination please could you ask them to contact the practice on 01638 552211 so that we can book an appointment.
Stay Safe.
UPDATE TO SURGERY TELEPHONE SYSTEM
On Friday 22nd January, from 11am our telephone system is being updated. This may make it difficult for patients to get through to the surgery.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to make the updates as quickly as possible.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU'RE FEELING UNWELL
At the moment it can be hard to know what to do if you're unwell. It is still important to get medical help if you need it. Please read the document below for advice and guidance.
DO YOU WORK IN THE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SECTOR?
If you are registered with us and are currently practicing, patient facing or a health or social care worker - please email us FROM YOUR WORK EMAIL ADDRESS to reynard.surgery@nhs.net
Please give details of your job role so we can note this on your records.
This is to help plan future COVID vaccination clinics for patients that work in Health and Social care.
Please note, we do NOT know when we will have supplies of the vaccine - this is merely to allow us to plan ahead - Thank you
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR GP PRACTICE
The way you access you GP is changing to ensure you get the best possible care safely and quickly. We only want people to attend the practice when they need to, in order to keep you and our staff safe from Coronavirus. This video explains how you can contact your GP Practice and the different ways care will be delivered to keep you safe.
Your general practice is here for you. Help us help you. For more information visit our website.
CORONAVIRUS VACCINE
A coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech has been approved for use in the UK. The vaccine will be made available from next week (07/12).
The vaccine has met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
Please DO NOT contact the Surgery about the vaccine, as staff will not have all the answers to your questions yet.
VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS
Use this service to get free daily vitamin D supplements if you're at high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) from Coronavirus (COVID-19).
During autumn and winter, everyone is advised to take vitamin D to keep their bones and muscles healthy and to support their general health.
This is particularly important if you've been indoors over the spring and summer as you may not have been getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
SCHOOL PLACES 2021
You must still apply for a place, even if the school is linked to your child’s current nursery, infant or primary school.
You can apply for a place at a state primary school
online or by using your council’s application form. You can still apply through your local council even if you’re applying for schools in another council area.
FLU CLINICS
Please note that during lockdown our flu clinics are still going ahead as planned. Therefore, if you have an appointment booked please still attend.
PRACTICE UPDATE
From Thursday 5th November we will be entering another national lockdown period. With this in mind from 5th November the door to the practice will be admittance/queries via intercom only.
We will continue to carry out child immunisations, smears, contraceptive services and injections for cancer patients. It is important to us to ensure that we continue look after our staff and patients during this pandemic. If you have any medical concerns or feel unwell during this time it is essential that you contact the surgery. The doctors and nurses are continuing to triage and if necessary see patients during this time, they will be wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when seeing patients.
If you need to contact a GP, do not come to the surgery in person:
You can:
- Visit then surgery website reynardsurgery.co.uk or use e-consult on this site.
- Telephone the practice on 01638 552211 between 8am – 6.30pm Mon-Fri.
A phone or video call will be booked for you with a healthcare professional to suit your needs.
YOU WILL ONLY BE ASKED TO VISIT THE SURGERY IF DEEMED ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
The surgery telephone lines are very busy at the moment and you may have to wait longer than usual to speak to someone.
If you have a child that has a medical condition or is unwell it is important that they get the correct treatment when they need it. We are still continuing to provide the same safe care that we have always done. If your child needs urgent help, and it is out of hours or an emergency either call 111 or go to your nearest A&E department or call 999.
Medication can still be collected from the practice but you will need to give your details via the intercom and it will be brought to the door for you.
Please contact the reception team if you experience any of the following or feel the need to speak to your GP:
- Breathing problems
- Chest pains
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine/stools
- Lump in breast
- Unexplained weight loss
WHITE HOUSE CLOSURE
Please find information regarding the White House closure and relocation to the Mildenhall Hub below:
White House Closure Statement
White House Closure Q&A
PATIENT CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Patients are able to change their address and telephone number via an online form here. This is a quick and easy way to keep your records up to date and stop any letters from being sent to your old address. If you are unable to complete this form please contact the reception team on 01638 552211.
FLU VACCINATIONS WINTER 2020
Due to COVID-19 there is a national campaign to increase the uptake of vaccinations in the community. Our seasonal flu programme is going to be a bit different this year due to this.
For more information click here
STAY CLEAN, STAY SAFE
We are going through unprecedented times with COVID-19. However, there is no need to panic, by following government advice and our hygiene tips below, give your family the highest chances of staying safe. Please take a look at the newsletter here
ANTIBODY TESTING
In line with National guidance, antibody testing (to see if you have had Coronavirus) will be rolled out in Suffolk in a safe and phased way. It has begun with NHS hospital staff. We will keep you updated as to when this test is available to different 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. We will make an announcement as soon as we can.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES FROM SIGN HEALTH
The Deaf Health charity SignHealth is committed to making sure Coronavirus information is available in British Sign Language. The content on their website is updated daily and a new video is added. Please click the link to access their videos.
VIDEO CONSULTATIONS
The Reynard surgery is now offering video consultations. Due to COVID-19 we are asking patients to attend the surgery as little as possible and this is another tool we are now using to make this possible. To book a video consultation, download the app Airmid UK on your mobile. If you already have an online booking login use the same details on the Airmid UK app and it will show you all the available video consultations slots with our clinicians.
For more information and the links to download the app - visit our appointments page.
STAY AT HOME GUIDANCE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
Please read the latest guidance regarding staying at home and advice for all patients on Immunosuppressants, issued by Public Health England.
Stay at home guidance
Immunosuppressants
eConsult NOW LIVE
eConsult enables NHS based GP practices to offer online consultations to their patients. This allows patients to submit their symptoms or requests to their own GP electronically, and offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker.
The Reynard Surgery eConsult page is now live.
WE NEED YOU!!
JOIN OUR PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG)
We believe that the provision of good healthcare depends on cooperation between the provider (us!) and service user (our valued patients), and we are expanding our Patient Participation Group. Your opinion matters, and you can make a positive contribution to the services we provide. If you are interested in joining our PPG, please contact the Surgery and leave a message for Jade or Judith.
Even if you do not wish to join a formal group, we are always interested in hearing your opinions and ideas about how we can improve our service to you.
Speak to our reception staff today for more information.