Ramadan and the Covid-19 vaccine

Ramadan is due to start on the evening of Monday 12 April 2021 and we urge our Muslim patients not to delay having their Covid-19 vaccine – first or second dose – during the holy month.

The British Islamic Medical Association has reviewed the analysis of Islamic scholars and confirmed that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast. The vaccine does not contain pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products - this reflects the advice of the majority of Islamic scholars that it is permissible.​ If you are still unsure whether you should have a vaccine during Ramadan, please speak to your local Imam for guidance.

If you are taking prescribed medicines, you should continue taking them during Ramadan, but check with your GP if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that you take them need to be changed.

If you have diabetes and want to fast, please speak to your GP or diabetes nurse about the safest way to do this. Remember that there is an exemption for people with diabetes, especially if you’re on insulin or have any medical complications.

I have received a text message invite for my covid vaccine

https://support.accurx.com/en/articles/4794856-i-have-been-invited-to-book-my-covid-19-vaccination-through-accurx-thirdparty-nhs-uk-is-this-legitimate

Check your NHS number here

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

Covid-19 vaccines 

Unless you are aged 80 and over and have not been contacted about having your first vaccine, please DO NOT contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

The NHS is prioritising vaccinating people who experts have agreed will benefit the most. We will let you know when it is your turn. Please see here for advice. 

If you are aged 80 and over, and have not been contacted about a first vaccination please let us know. If you are aged 80 and over and housebound we have had to wait until we had the right vaccine, the right procedures and processes, so we have only recently started visiting homes - however there is no harm in ringing us to check we have you on our list.  

There is comprehensive information, guidance, and answers to questions at COVID-19 Vaccination programme | East London Health & Care Partnership (eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk) 

Getting the help you need 

The NHS in London is very busy as coronavirus infection rates continue to be high, but we’ll help you get urgent care when you need it.  

Most consultations are over the phone and via video. This is for everyone's safety. We will assess your situation and invite you into the practice if needed. 

We can arrange same-day appointments if you need urgent care but please don't visit without an appointment. Appointments will be held in the best way to keep you safe from Covid.   

You can also contact 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice - including if you have concerns about your Covid-19 symptoms. 

Please remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies.  

Please help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe by following the latest rules.   

isolating at home leaflet

Please do not contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine

The first phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has started. When it is the right time you will receive an invitation to come forward. For most people this will be a letter, either from your GP or the national NHS. This letter will include all the information you will need to book appointments, including your NHS number. Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you get this letter. Information on the vaccine is available on here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, how you contact us will be different at the moment. This is to limit face-to-face contact whenever possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Your GP practice is open and if you need to see your GP, please ring us on 01708 520830 or visit our website www.berwicksurgery.co.uk – our opening hours are 8am – 6:30pm

You can also call NHS 111. Please do not come to the surgery unless you have an appointment.

If you are waiting for a check-up, please be assured we will be in touch

Appointments are being delivered face-to-face, online and over the telephone.

If you are asked to come into the surgery for a face-to-face appointment, please remember to wear a face covering.

Measures are in place to keep you safe from infection during your visit to the surgery.

FLU VACCINATION PROGRAMME 20/21

As you maybe aware the flu vaccination programme will be extended this year to include those aged over 50.  However we, like all other flu providers only ordered enough flu for our usual group of patients (those over 65 and those with an underlying health condition)  We understand that additional vaccinations will be provided but later in the season.  Therefore please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.  If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

Welcome to Berwick Surgery

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.

Prescriptions

To reduce the footfall in the surgery you will be able to order your prescriptions online, should you need to bring your repeat prescription request to the surgery there is a box provided outside of the building. We appreciate your cooperation at this difficult time.

RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and requests for fit notes (Med3)

Sick note requests in relation to being off work. By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. For any period of illness less than 7 days you can self-certify.

In light of the emerging COVID-19 crisis it is likely a vast amount of people will be self-isolating in accordance with advice provided by the Government and Public Health. In these cases, your GP will not be able to issue you a sick note. We expect your employer to be sympathetic towards the circumstances.

If you remain unwell and unfit to work over seven days, the advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk and complete an online self-assessment.

General Practice is under a lot of pressure and needs to prioritise the healthcare needs of patients who are acutely unwell. We hope that you understand the current situation and apologise for any inconvenience.

Serving You

Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or book/change/cancel an appointment.

Partners in Care

Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active Patient Participation Group exists to represent your views on our service.

Access

The premises is accessible to patients using wheelchairs.

General Practice Transparency Notice for GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19)

https://digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/gpes-data-for-pandemic-planning-and-research/general-practice-transparency-notice?_cldee=aGF2ZXJpbmdjY2cuYmVyd2lja21hbmFnZXJAbmhzLm5ldA%3d%3d&recipientid=contact-b0b46fc4ffa1e811a9d2000d3a2bbda1-a5cf3442db444f9d93c8fc3e5c722afe&esid=a55cb788-9996-ea11-a812-002248007f84

General Data Protection Regulations: How information about you helps us to provide better care

Confidential information from your medical records is used by the NHS to improve the services offered in order that we can provide the best possible care for everyone.  This information along with your postcode and NHS number but not your name, are sent to a secure system where it can be linked with other health information.  This allows those planning NHS services or carrying out medical research to use information from different parts of the NHS in a way which does not identify you.

You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything.

If you have any concerns or wish to prevent this from happening, please speak to practice staff or ask at reception for a copy of the leaflet “How information about you helps us to provide better care”.

We are committed to complying to right of access requests under Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

However, the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at the current time. Understandably, our resources have been diverted to support our front-line colleagues who are working tremendously hard to provide care for our patients, and to those in need of our services.

The Information Commissioners Office has recognised the current situation in the NHS https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/icos-blog-on-its-information-rights-work/.

 We strive to be transparent and to work with an open culture. But at this time, whilst care of our patients and the safety of our staff takes precedent, it is likely that responses to some requests for information or records will be delayed. We apologise for this position in advance, and will endeavour to provide you with as much information as we can, as soon as we are able.

It may therefore take up to the statutory deadline of 3 months in certain cases to respond to Subject Access Requests.

 For Freedom of Information requests, the Practice will try and continue to process them as normal, but this will be dependent on the availability of staff.

 If you have a complaint linked to how we are dealing with requests, please contact the Practice as noted on our website

Subject Access Request (SAR)

Patients have the right to access their personal data, if you wish to make a written request this can be done through the surgery e-mail address.  

Berwick Surgery Mission Statement

Every patient matters to us.

Our Mission is to provide high quality patient care which is timely, considerate and responsive in improving the health, well-being and lives of those we care for. 

Corona Virus 

If you have recently returned from abroad or had close contact with someone who has and are experiencing flu like symptoms please.  DO NOT come to the practice. 

Please call the practice for advice