Contents: Summary Care Records * Swine flu * Surgery closures for training * VACANCIES
Summary Care Records
All patients are being sent information about this from the government via the West Berkshire PCT. If you have any questions, please phone the national information line: 0845 603 8510, or visit the website at www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk, or, locally, phone PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) on 982 2329.
Please do not phone the surgery, as we have no further information.
Swine flu vaccination
CHILDREN
We are now able to offer swine flu vaccinations to all children who are over 6 months old and under 5 years as at 31.12.09.
Please phone the surgery to book an appointment - 08444 773 005.
Link to DOH leaflet giving information about swine flu vaccinations for under-5s:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@p...
All patients from 6 months of age who fall into the following seasonal flu at-risk groups are eligible to have a swine flu vaccination. These are:
* Chronic lung disease - those with COPD, severe asthma and cystic fibrosis
* Chronic heart disease
* Chronic kidney disease
* Chronic liver disease
* Chronic neurological disease - stroke, MS, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy
* Diabetes
* Immunosupporession - patients who have not been vaccinated already
* All pregnant women from 14 weeks
Please keep looking at this website or phone the practice on 08444 773 005 for the most up-to-date information.
Pregnant women:
Pregnant women who are more than 14 weeks and who wish to have the Celvapan vaccine instead of the Pandemrix vaccine may receive it at the Walk-in Centre in Reading. You need to collect a letter from the surgery first, then phone the Walk-in Centre on 902 8300 for an appointment. Remember to take ID plus the letter with you to the clinic.
Swine flu information:
The DoH has published a helpful leafet:
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pandemic-flu/Documents/SF%20vaccination%20leaflet_web.pdf
There is also information for pregnant women:
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Adviceforpregnantwomen.aspx
If you think you have swine flu:
Please do not come to the surgery but phone for a telephone consultation with your usual doctor.
Why have the swine flu vaccination?
Vaccinations for swine flu are well under way for at-risk patients, pregnant women and the under-5s. We are often asked: 'Should I, or should my child, have the swine flu vaccination? Here are some guidelines.
* Swine flu or H1N1 is a flu strain that can cause serious illness. In past pandemics, H1N1 has often caused more severe illness and death in later waves after early mild waves.
* Worldwide, 1% of people with swine flu have had to be hospitalised but only 0.03% have died. It remains a relatively mild flu. However, the number of deaths per week from swine flu is still increasing around the world, though not in an alarming way.
* In the UK, the second wave is now petering out. Overall, we have noticed higher numbers of complications for the immunocompromised, pregnant women, the very young and the very old. We may have a 3rd wave this winter but opinion is divided.
* Current data from around the world including over 30 million Europeans show that the jab is safe. Although it is a new vaccine it contains old constituents that we have been using for decades.
* There are trace amounts of a modified form of mercury in the vaccine that is not linked to brain disease or any other disorder. It is well within safe limits for mercury compounds (World Health Organisation and European Medicines Agency). In fact, many vaccines we have all had in the past have contained 10 times more of this modified mercury. The second vaccine (celvapan) contains no trace mercury and so pregnant women may choose it to avoid any theoretical risk to the developing baby (only available at Reading Walk-in Clinic).
* The vaccination should protect for many years from H1N1 even if the virus mutates slightly in future waves. This is particularly important in case we do experience more serious waves in the future.
Help prevent infection
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing, using a tissue if possible.
Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
Maintain good basic hygiene - for example, wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Clean hard surfaces such as door handles frequently, using a normal cleaning product.
Make sure your children follow this advice.
For more information on swine flu, go to the following websites:
NHS Direct: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NHS Choices: www.nhs.uk
Direct Gov: www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
Surgery closed for training
All from 1.00pm:
Wednesday 17th March 2010
Wednesday 21st April 2010
Tuesday 22nd June 2010
Wednesday 6th October 2010
Thursday 20th January 2011
VACANCIES If you are interested in working in this challenging and rewarding environment, please contact Fiona Nairn, Personnel Manager: Tel: 08444 773 005, or write to her at: Brookside Group Practice, Brookside Close, Earley, Reading RG6 7HG. |
