Granta practices April update

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We continue to try to provide the best possible service to our patients whilst experiencing staff shortages and high demand. Please bear with us as day-to-day operations are disrupted. Listed below are some hints and tips to help you help yourself and in turn help us and the NHS:-

SELF-CARE: You can treat many minor illnesses such as colds and coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs at home. Make sure you are stocked up with healthcare essentials such as pain relief (e.g. Paracetamol), cough and sore throat remedies, upset stomach treatment, rehydration treatment, heartburn / indigestion treatments and a first aid kit.

USE YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST: They can offer you advice and guidance on your symptoms and on the best treatment for you – no appointment needed. Pharmacists are available on every high street and in supermarkets, with many being open in the evenings and at weekends.

COMMUNITY PHARMACIST CONSULTATION SERVICE (CPCS): This service enables patients to have a same day appointment with their community pharmacist for minor illness or an urgent supply of a regular medicine. Should you need to be escalated or referred to an alternative service, the pharmacist can arrange this. Please speak to our reception team to be referred into this service.

USE THE NHS UK SYMPTOM CHECKER www.nhs.uk:  This helpful tool can guide you through your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate health service for your needs.

RING NHS 111, OPTION 2: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis this First Response Service puts your mental health first. It provides 24-hour access, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to mental health care, advice, support and treatment.

MEDICATION: If you need to order medication, please do this online via SystmOnline or the Airmid app. Details of how to do this can be found on our website www.grantamedicalpractices.co.uk  If you do not have internet or mobile telephone access, you can send in your repeat medication slip or write in with your repeat request. Unfortunately, we cannot take prescription orders over the telephone.

Thank you for your continued understanding, patience and support. #bekind

Posted March 22 2022

Granta Medical Practices Update, March 2022

Are you up to date with all of your vaccinations? There are a number of vaccines available on the NHS, the more common of which are listed below. If you are unsure whether you are eligible or would like further information please do not hesitate to call us on 0300 234 5555 or visit www.NHS.UK

Shingles vaccine – who is eligible?

• Adults 70 to 79 years old

You only need to have the shingles vaccine once and you can have it at any time of year. Whilst it is a very effective vaccine, some people can develop shingles at a later stage, but the illness will be milder. It is also fine to have the shingles vaccine if you have already had shingles. It works well in people who have had shingles before, and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.

There is a new vaccine available for people who are immunosuppressed called Shingrix and this is available at all of our surgeries as a 2-dose course.

Pneumonia vaccine – who is eligible?

• Babies, as part of the national immunisation programme

• Adults aged 65 and over

• Children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition.

The pneumonia vaccine protects against serious pneumococcal infections and encourages your body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria.

If you have a long-term health condition you may only need a single one-off vaccination or a vaccination every 5 years, depending on your underlying problem.

Flu vaccine – who is eligible?

• Adults 50 years and over

• Have certain health conditions

• Are pregnant

• Are in a long-stay residential care

• Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

• Live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis).

• Frontline health or social care workers

If you are not eligible for a free NHS vaccine you can buy one from your local pharmacist. Granta Pharmacy in Sawston have stocks of flu vaccine – to book an appointment call 01223 727530.

Covid vaccine – who is eligible?

• People aged 16 and over

• Children aged 12 to 15

• Some children aged 5 to 11

Adults have 2 vaccinations plus a booster dose. People with a severely weakened immune system are offered 3 doses plus a booster. Please note that it is never too late to start your covid vaccine course.

Visit www.nhs.uk to find out where get covid vaccinations.

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Sandra East, Head of Patient Services

Granta Medical Practices, London Road, Sawston, CB22 3HU

Posted Feb 14 2022

Granta Medical Practices Update, February 2022

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Covid Vaccine Update

On 13th December 2021 the government announced that the deadline for every adult to have been offered a covid booster was being brought forward from 31st January 2022 to 31st December 2021.

Granta staff stepped forward to support the “Omicron Emergency Booster National Mission” to encourage everyone who is eligible to “get boosted now”.

Between 15th December and 3rd January an extra 7,000 Granta patients were vaccinated. Staff worked the 3 bank holidays, in addition to squeezing extra vaccine clinics into their normal working days, to ensure that as many patients as possible were vaccinated before the new deadline passed.

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New Hospital Helpline for Patients

The Covid-19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody. 

This can cause worry and uncertainty about when you will eventually receive an appointment, and unfortunately Granta has no direct access to the hospital appointment lists.  

If you have been referred by your GP / are waiting for:

·An outpatient appointment

·An appointment for hospital tests (e.g. scans)

·A date for an operation or other treatment

·A follow-up from your hospital team

and you have a query about what is happening, there is now a new dedicated Freephone Patient Help Line - 0800 048 5800.

May we respectfully ask that you only call Granta if your condition has genuinely deteriorated, when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken in regard to your hospital care.

Thank you for your continued understanding, patience and support.

Sandra East

Head of Patient Services

sandra.east@nhs.net

Posted Jan 31 2022

Great Shelford health news

Granta Medical Practices Update December 2021

NHS Hearing Aid Maintenance Centre

We clean, re-tube and supply batteries for NHS hearing aids

We do not provide hearing aids or hearing tests

GREAT SHELFORD

Great Shelford Free Church (Baptist)

Ashen Green, Great Shelford, CB22 5EY

THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

FROM 10.00 AM - 12 NOON

2022

This is a drop-off and wait service by appointment only.

To book an appointment please use our online service at www.cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk

or phone the office 01223 416141 or Text: 07852 699196.

Thursday       6th January                Thursday       7th July

                        3rd February                                     4th August

                        3rd March                                          1st September

                        7th April                                             6th October

                        5th May                                              3rd November

                        Not open in June                            1st December

Supported by NHS Audiology and Cambridgeshire County Council

Posted Nov 30 2021