Practice News
Digital drop-in Session at Somerford Grove Practice
Digital drop-in Session at Somerford Grove Practice
Flu Season Has Arrived
Its Flu Season! Someford Grove is holding a Saturday Flu Clinic on Saturday 5th October 2024. between 09:00 am - 15:30 pm. Eligible patients can book themselves from the invitation text message, or call the surgery to book an appointment.
Veteran Friendly Practice
We are an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice.
Veteran Friendly Practice Accreditation Certificate.pdf
This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment. If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Green Impact for Health
Measles
There is information on measles on the NHS website. This includes advice to parents and carers to check if their child has measles, including photos of the measles rash. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
UKHSA are working on getting images of measles on darker skin, but there are some in this guide https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap)
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.
NHS App waiting list information
From 30 January 2024, the NHS App will show patients an estimated waiting time for their hospital treatment at NHS acute trusts.
Download the Appp today NHS App and your NHS account - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NEW ADVANCED PHARMACY FIRST SCHEME
From 31st January 2024, people across Hackney can pop down to their local pharmacy for help with seven minor conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment.
Earlier this year 75% of people said they wanted to see pharmacies offering more healthcare services such as treating urinary tract infections or sore throats, and now they will be. Almost all pharmacies will offer the new service, giving advice and, if needed, NHS medicines, to treat seven common health conditions – and all without needing to get a GP appointment.
As experts in medicines and managing minor illnesses, pharmacists have been backed by Government and the NHS to provide a new NHS ‘Pharmacy First’ service. Many pharmacies across City and Hackney have signed up to support people in certain age groups seeking help for sore throats, earache in children, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and urinary tract infections in women.
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can now walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with the pharmacist. Under the new service pharmacists can provide advice and, if clinically necessary, will offer an NHS medicine to treat it (NHS prescription charge apply if you normally pay for medicines supplied on prescription). Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to your GP surgery or A&E as appropriate.
By thinking ‘Pharmacy First’, people will find it easier and quicker to get the help they need and bypass the 8am rush to book an appointment with their GP. The new service is part of a wider expansion of healthcare services that will empower pharmacists to use more of their skills and give people more choice about their healthcare. It is also hoped that the service will be expanded to include more conditions in the future. Find the new service at a pharmacy near you using the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/
Digital Advisor (help with setting up your online access account)
We now have Digital Advisors at the surgery. They can assist you in getting access to online services via the practice website and the NHS App.
The advisors are available in the practice on Monday mornings between 11:00 am - 13:00 pm in the small waiting area, to the left hand side of reception.
You can give your name to Reception staff, who will add you to the list of the next session, or you can just walk in on the day.
Opt Out - HIV Testing
From October 2023, everyone who has their blood tested as part of an NHS Health Check (ages 40 -74) will be tested for HIV.
It is important to get diagnosed early as treatment is life saving and free from the NHS.
Your results are confidential. If you do not want to be tested please let a member of staff know.
If you do not need a blood test as part of your NHS Health Check, but do not want to be tested for HIV, please let a member of staff know.
HELP US TO HELP YOU - BOOK NURSE APPOINTMENTS 24/7 WITHOUT WAITING FOR RECEPTION
You can now book a Nurse appointment using the 24hr automated telephone booking system
Simply call: 020 3818 7679
The system will use your date of birth and current mobile number to verify you as a registered patient.
Please make sure we have your correct telephone number on your records.