It is important for the public to continue to play their part when visiting The Reynard Surgery to help protect our staff and patients, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to infections.
As from Monday 19th July will be following Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines. All staff, patients and visitors to the practice will be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules when entering the surgery.
Face coverings will remain in place for staff, patients and visitors at the surgery so that the most vulnerable people can continue to be safe when they attend the practice.
SUFFOLK ON BOARD TRAVEL VOUCHERS
We recognise that there are a number of people who can't access the benefits of free travel on conventional bus services like other residents who qualify for and use a bus pass do.
This could either be for reasons of severe disability or the fact that due to their location, such services are unavailable to them.
The council therefore offers a benefit to those persons in the form of travel vouchers that can be used towards the use of community transport, taxis or private hire vehicles.
The value of the vouchers issued is £100 per annum.
NHS DIGITAL OPT OUT
The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs.
Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by clicking on "Your Health" in the NHS App, and selecting "Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning".
To set your data opt out choice - please use this link
THANK YOU FROM THE WEST SUFFOLK ALLIANCE
The video is a short 3 minute film which showcases some amazing work done by communities and volunteers and others in the pandemic, and says thank you from the West Suffolk Alliance. Please feel free to share it widely.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Have your say on our proposal to review having a physical base at the Mildenhall Hub and continue providing all services from our main site at RedLodge.
Reynard engagement 17th May-12th July 21 Announcement.pdf
MAY - MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
How have you been feeling lately? If you've been struggling with your mood, stress, anxiety or sleep - take the #EveryMindMatters mind plan quiz to get your personalised mental wellbeing action plan.
AN EASY WAY TO ACCESS YOUR NHS NUMBER
The NHS number is a unique 10-digit number e.g. 485 777 3456 and helps health care staff identify you correctly and match your details to your health records. You should usually be able to find the number on any letter or document received from the NHS, including prescriptions, test results and hospital letter or appointment letters.
Click this link to find out yours.
PRACTICE CLOSURE FOR STAFF TRAINING
From 12:30 to 18:30 on Tuesday 11 May 2021, this practice will be closed for important clinical education and training purposes.
Emergency cover will be provided, please telephone 111 to access these services:
- Telephone triage
- Face-to-face appointments at Drovers House in Bury St Edmunds or Unity Healthcare (Greenfields Way), Haverhill
Repeat prescription requests will not be dealt with during these times so please ensure sufficient notice is given to enable your practice to provide these for you prior to practice closure dates.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE:
(Updated 21.04.21)
We are currently contacting all patients who had their 1st vaccination at the end of January and early February to book in for their 2nd vaccination.
If you had your vaccination in JANUARY and have NOT been contacted by the surgery, please call on 01638 552211.
Thank you.
Second doses of vaccination:
The national policy is for the 2nd dose to be given at the same location as the 1st, in order to help flow of vaccine supplies.
We are following National advice regarding dates for the 2nd vaccinations, which means we are looking to deliver 2nd doses in the week beginning the 5th April.
However, we have NOT had confirmation of the delivery dates but as soon as we know we will be in contact to arrange appointments.
Thank you for your support & Stay Safe.
ROUTINE BREAST SCREENING
INFORMATION REGARDING SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS:
Please be aware that there is NO REQUIREMENT for women to postpone a routine breast screening appointment as a result of having a Covid-19 vaccination.
LATEST CARE HOME GUIDANCE
From Monday 8 March, residential care providers can facilitate single named visitors for all residents. One person can now be named as a regular visitor who must follow strict infection control measures, including testing.
For the first time since the start of the current lockdown, visits can take place indoors without screens. Providers will be able to decide how the new arrangements can work best for residents and staff.
Those with the greatest support needs can also benefit from an ‘essential care giver’ who – with the agreement of the care home - can visit more often to provide personal care with closer contact.
Both ‘single named visitors’ and ‘essential care givers’ are described in the guidance and summary document.
BUILDING WORK AT THE PRACTICE
Thank you.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE
Please remember that eligibility is now NOT based solely on age, but is also determined by underlying health conditions.
We will be inviting the patients in each cohort in turn, as per the government guidelines. Therefore you will be contacted when it is your turn.
If you do not have a mobile phone or unable to use the link provided in the text from the surgery, please do not worry. You will be contacted by the surgery and booked in over the phone.
All patients are asked to bring a completed and signed consent form to their appointment, as this helps our clinics to run efficiently. Consent forms are available for download from our website or can be collected from reception. If you're unable able to do either of these options, please let reception know.
Our Facebook page and website will be updated when we start to contact the next cohort.
Please DO NOT call the surgery regarding this, as reception phone lines are very busy.
Thank you for you continued support and patience.
PRACTICE UPDATE:
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.
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.
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.
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.