Welcome to Balsall Common & Meriden Group Practice
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS - Update 19.04.2021
If you have been requested to have a blood pressure check and do not have your own machine please make an appointment with a health care assistant at the practice, use the blood pressure monitor in the Balsll Common waiting room and pass the slip to reception or visit a local pharmacy (we have been informed by the pharmacy that there is no longer a charge for them to take your blood pressure).
COVID - 19 vaccination and blood clotting - Information about your vaccination
Please visit the website below for more information published by Public Health England
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976880/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2G7L7iOCG4156ZY3z-ThT6xCU5YIna1skqBbBIeAP01OMrA6T2Qm3TNcQ
Joanne Hope 8 4 2021
SOCIAL PRESCRIBER SERVICE FROM BALSALL COMMON AND MERIDEN SURGERIES
The practice offers a social prescribing service (please speak to reception or your GP/Nurse if you wish to be referred).
The following video (shortcut below)will provide you with more information explaining what this service is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9azfXNcqD8&feature=emb_logo
COVID VACCINATION UPDATE 05.04.2021
We have no information at this time regarding the issuing of COVID Vaccination Passports, the website will be updated as soon as directions from NHS England have been received.
We have a good supply of vaccines at the moment and can honour all the appointments we have booked so far and any 2nd vaccinations that are due and patient still needing the 1st vaccination in the appropriate patient cohorts 1-10. We have spare appointments and we have staff contacting patients to book these.
We are not routinely booking first vaccination appointments for Pfizer, these will only be booked under exceptional circumstances.
Should any patients contact us to ask about 2nd vaccinations or 1st vaccinations ( 46 years and above and patients of any age over 16 with a medical condition that requires a vaccination or a Carer or front line worker) they will be informed them that they will be contacted by the us so that an appointment can be arranged, these will not be made at reception.
NHS England have informed us that any patient 45 years to 18 years who do not have a medical condition that requires a vaccination not be invited to be vaccinated at the moment. Once this cohort of patients have been released by NHS England we will be contacting patients in order of age with the oldest first.
Major vaccination sites will only vaccinated patients that have appointments with them up to 29th March after that date these sites will not be vaccinating patients, this is to enable the stock of vaccines to be used by General Practice.
Joanne Hope / Practice Manager 05.04.2021
FIND MY NHS NUMBER
To find you NHS number go to the following web address:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/?fbclid=IwAR0-xS0C2pTwNtAnt5RyjWWxwDT5nn7qH8XHODrS4QPFYUwXqDVPH51_-34
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.
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