If you have a chronic condition or are aged 65 years and over, please call now to book your flu vaccination. Please be aware that we are changing the way we run the clinics this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
Whilst we’ve received information that all 50-64 year olds may be eligible for a free flu vaccination as part of plans to protect more people against seasonal flu, these free vaccinations will be subject to delivery later in the year. This allows us to focus on those who are in an at risk group, such as pregnant women and people with long term health conditions. They will be given priority and offered the vaccine first.
If you are aged 50-64 and not in one of the at risk categories you will told in the coming months if you will be able to attend for vaccination. If the programme is extended this is likely to be November or December. Of course if you wish to access a vaccine prior to this date you can pay to have this at your local pharmacy as in previous years, otherwise please wait for more information.
Dear Patients
We have made the decision to restrict access to the surgery to patients by ensuring that they are assessed by a clinician first. This is for the safety of all patients and our staff. We politely request that anyone attending the surgery please wears their own mask / face covering / scarf.
All requests for face to face appointments with a GP will be assessed by telephone first. If you do have a face to face appointment booked then please do not come to the surgery if you, or anyone in your household, subsequently develop symptoms of a high temperature, loss of sense of smell and/or taste or a cough. Please phone and cancel the appointment in these circumstances.
Going forward we will be changing regular reviews to telephone consultations. We will also be exploring the use of video consultations and online consultations.
With regards to nurse appointments, at the moment we are continuing with childhood immunisations, dressings, existing blood test bookings and monitoring of patients on high risk medications (e.g. warfarin and methotrexate). However, if you do have a face to face appointment booked then please do not come to the surgery if you, or anyone in your household, subsequently develop symptoms of a high temperature, loss of sense of smell and/or taste or a cough. The nursing team will be looking at changing routine reviews for things like asthma, COPD, CHD and diabetes to phone call reviews. We will not be offering ear syringing procedures for the time being.
With regards to repeat prescriptions, please do not order medications early as this will cause supply issues and may cause harm to other patients. We will reject any early requests.
Finally, we ask that you are patient with all members of our team who are working under incredibly challenging conditions. The situation and associated guidance is changing rapidly so please bear with us. We appreciate that this is a time of great anxiety for everyone however, rudeness and abuse are not acceptable under any circumstances.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
The Partners at College Way Surgery
Due to the ongoing situation, the surgery will be closed between 1pm and 2pm every day for a staff meeting, until further notice.
On Monday 16th March the UK government announced a package of measures, advising those who are or may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group has been identified to the public as those who are:
This wider group, who broadly speaking comprise the criteria of adults eligible for an annual flu vaccine, will not be proactively contacted but have instead been asked to take steps to reduce their social interactions in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
The following group of diseases and conditions considered to be very high risk and should expect to receive a letter advising to stay at home at all times and avoid all face-to-face contact for at least twelve weeks from today, except from carers and healthcare workers who you must see as part of your medical care.
1. Solid organ transplant recipients
2. People with specific cancers
3. People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD
4. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell disease)
5. People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection All patients on the following medications have been centrally identified and will be contacted via the letter:
6. People who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
gov.uk - guidance on shielding and-protecting extremely vulnerable persons from covid 19
The GPs are reviewing this new guidance and politely request that if you have concerns about you or a family member’s being identified within one of these categories that you adopt the recommended measures and not contact the surgery to seek confirmation.
Thank you for your continued assistance at this time.
The NHS is well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases and has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. Check online at gov.uk and at nhs.uk for advice on your travel and contact history and the latest COVID-19 information before attending the practice.
Please note: All telephone calls to and from the surgery will be recorded with effect from 1st May 2019.
This is a new initiative across Somerset whereby patients can make appointments at extended times (up until 8pm at night Monday-Friday and on Saturday mornings) at other practices across the local area. Practices working together to deliver extended access to appointments are listed on the poster below.
Appointment types will vary, some being face to face and some on the 'phone and there will be a mixture of pre-bookable and same day appointments available across the week. They may be with a doctor but could also be with another healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or a nurse. We are keen to balance the importance of continuity of care with convenient access for patients whilst ensuring that the service is safe.
To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times, this will help us to signpost you to the most appropriate option for your particular problem. By contacting us we can fully explain the process, ensure that the booking is appropriate (as we hope to be able to meet your needs by offering an appointment with your usual GP) and cover all the relevant information (and consent) that we need to before we book an appointment for you. Further information is shown below.
How do I book an appointment?
If you need to access these appointments then please ring your usual surgery telephone number. The receptionist will be able to advise on appointment availability.
In the Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe area the following practices are currently involved in this scheme:
For more information on your local door-to-door Slinky dial-a-ride bus service and availability, please call 01823 331 266 (weekdays 9:30am - 3:30pm) or visit the Travel Somerset website.
The pharmacist is an excellent source of advice for many ailments such as: Lower Back Pain, Eczema, Heartburn and Indigestion, Fever in Children, Constipation, Headache, Coughs in Adults, Acne (spots), Sprains and Strains, Sore Throat, Ear Ache, Common Cold, Sinitus.
Did you know that we have a patient group that help us review the way we work?
Are you interested in finding out more about your GP Practice?
Would you like to help review the range, quality and access to services provided by us and the wider health community?
The 2015 Patient Survey report has now been added.
Patient Group Page
The short video below is all about Choosing the Right Service.
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It's fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
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The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
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