Welcome to Balsall Common & Meriden Group Practice
COVID VACCINATION UPDATE 18.01.2021
Message to Housebound patients:
COVID Vaccinations will be delivered by our NHS Community Services (this is a different service to the District Nursing Service). Housebound patients will receive a telephone call to arrange a home visit appointment shortly. We have not been given a timeframe for when these calls will be made.
Patients Being Vaccinated:
We are presently finalising the vaccinations of our over 80 year old patients and moving to arranging appointments for patients aged 75-79 years olds.
We are also vaccinating NHS Frontline workers.
Joanne Hope / Practice Manager
COVID Vaccination - Information
Balsall Common are presently giving COVID vaccinations in line with NHS Guidelines, this will be by invitation only. The first group of patients to be invited are those 80 years old and over, nursing home residents and nursing home staff and frontline Primary Care staff. Once the 80+ patient group has been invited we will invite next group 79 and 78 years of age and so on unless the NHS Guidelines changes.
You do not need to contact the practice to make an appointment we will be contacting all patient to book appointments.
Housebound patients will be vaccinated at home by our Community Nursing Team, this team will contact housebound patients to make arrangements to visit.
Please find information leaflets below:
Covid-19_Guide_for_Adults_leaflet.pdf
PHE_11843_Covid-19_why_do_I_have_to_wait_leaflet_download.pdf
FACE COVERING - INFORMATION
Information regarding face covering can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES - this has been taken from the above website document
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
- you do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this
- you do not need show an exemption card
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.
Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and is not required by law.
If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download exemption card templates. You can then print these yourself or show them on a mobile device. Please note that the government is not able to provide physical exemption cards or badges.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of these templates in a more accessible format, please email publiccorrespondence@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please say what format you need the template in and what assistive technology you use.
For exemptions in different parts of the UK please refer to the specific guidance for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Flu appointments for patients over 50
Flu appointments are available for patient 50-64yrs not in at-risk groups. Please contact reception to book your appointment
Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)
We are now making appointments for smear tests please contact reception.
CHANGES TO HOW YOU ACCESS YOUR GP SERVICES
Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the way you access your GP practice has changed.
You must now telephone your GP practice – DO NOT attend in person.
Your GP practice will then arrange the best care for you depending on your need. This will likely be a phone call or video call.
If you do need to see a doctor face-to-face, then this will be arranged for you and it may be in a different location.
Alternatively, use the online NHS 111 service or call NHS 111.
We want to reassure you that your GP practice is still here to look after you and your family.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID-19)
Stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. This will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious. You should:
- plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home
- ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home
- stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible
- sleep alone, if that is possible
- wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water
- stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
You do not need to contact your GP Practice or call NHS111 to go into self-isolation.
You will need to self-isolate for 7 days. After 7 days:
· If you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to self-isolate;
· If you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal.
If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact online/call the NHS 111 service.
If you, or the person you are caring for, is struggling to breathe, has a fast pulse, their hands or lips are cold and/or blue, are drowsy, confused or difficult to wake, has tightness in their chest, or is unable to speak a short sentence, dial NHS 111 or 999 immediately.
If you need any other medical help, or advice, please contact your GP surgery between the hours of 8:30am and 6.30pm, and NHS 111 between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.30am for advice. In case of emergency, call 999.
BALSALL COMMON AND BERKSWELL COMMUNITY HELP
ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
Volunteers are ready to
• Collect and drop off shopping
• Collect and drop off medicine
• Be available for a chat
• Perform other tasks within reason
Contact us if you or your family need help during isolation at home and we will get someone to you
07515 570 887
bccommunityhelp@gmail.com
If you can help as a volunteer please also contact us
MERIDEN PATIENTS SELF ISOLATING - DO YOU NEED HELP
Please see document below giving full details of the support available from the Meriden Parish Council
Meriden Parish Council Helpline Sept 2020.docx
ONLINE APPOINTMENTS
In view of the Corona Virus situation online appointments have been suspended at present
New Patient Registrations - Proof of ID and Address
All patient registering at the practice now have to provide Proof of ID and Proof of Address before their registration is accepted by the Practice
More information is detailed in "How Do I" - "Register With the Practice"
Early Appointments now available at Balsall Common and Meriden Surgeries
We now have early morning appointments a
Balsall Common - Tuesday 7.00am to 8.00am
Meriden - Thursday 7.00am to 8.00am
Please ask at reception
If you are unable to attend your appointment please help the surgery reduce wasted appointments by cancelling your appointment
You can cancel your appointment by using the following methods;
Ø By telephoning Balsall Common Surgery 01676935000 or Meriden Surgery 01676 522706
Ø By secure email to solccg.bccancelappointments @nhs.net
Ø Face to Face at Reception
Ø In Writing
Ø Via our website www.balsallcommongrouppractice.co.uk using the on line services or practice message
Please give other patients the opportunity to use your appointment if you cannot attend
Sick Note Requests
If you require a sick note please make a telephone consultation appointment with your usual doctor to discuss this. If you have recently attended hospital (which is the reason for the sick note) to be issued the hospital should give you a sick note for the expected duration you will be away from work following the procedure, on this occasion you should contact the hospital for your sick note.
Clinical Questions or Enquiries via email
We are unable to respond to clinical questions / enquiries via email. Please make a telephone consultation with a doctor to discuss your question / enquiry.
Secretaries Answerphone - Prescription and Sick Note Enquiries or Requests
Prescription and Sick Note enquiries or requests should not be left of the secretaries answerphone. From 6 3 2018 any requests left on the secretaries answerphone will NOT be actioned. This is also detailed on the secretaries answerphone message
Text Messaging - Mobile Numbers
**We are now operating a text message reminder service; please ensure your mobile number is correct and up to date on your medical records. Please speak to Reception or email balsallcommon.practice@nhs.net with your name, date of birth and mobile number to add it to your records.**
Cancelling Your Appointments
To quickly cancel an appointment you can send an email to:
solccg.bccancelappointments@nhs.net or telephone your surgery
Email Your Prescription Requests
Presciption requests can now be sent to the practice using the following email address:
bcm.prescriptionrequest@nhs.net
If you have any queries or comments about the Website please contact the practice at:
balsallcommon.practice@nhs.net