A letter from the Practice Manager explaining recent changes and the situation at the Denmead surgery - 25 May 2021

A letter from the Practice Manager

COVID VACCINATIONS

Second Dose vaccinations: if you haven't heard after 8 weeks of your first, please contact us

Aged 25 or over?  call us to book if you've not yet had a text invite

We have a large number of patients whom we are unable to reach because their contact details appear to be out of date, so it is vital you keep us informed, please. We text, telephone and write but we don't have limitless resources to keep investigating and attempting to make contact, so we ask that you always tell us your mobile number and current address.

Travelling Abroad? GPs cannot provide evidence or letters showing your COVID19 vaccination status. Instead, please see the attached document for guidance.

How to obtain your vaccination status

The Government web site will have the most up to date information: www.gov.uk with the MHRA website also providing helpful details. 

The vaccine will greatly reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill though scientists do not yet know if you can still pass the virus on. It is therefore important that you still follow all the current Government advice such as social distancing, wearing a face mask and staying at home.

We are working down a strictly monitored priority order list that has been set out by NHS England. Along with local practices,  we are inviting patients as fast as we can with the vaccine deliveries that are being received across three hub sites. These sites are at Waterlooville, Emsworth and Hayling Island. We have no plans to vaccinate here at our Denmead premises.

Why aren't vaccines being given at the Denmead premises?

• the vaccines need specialist storage and preparation which we are unable to provide in our building
• sites must accommodate a huge throughput of patients which we are unable to do here whilst still remaining open for all routine matters for our other patients

Feedback

The vaccination programme has been underway since December 2020 and continues to receive great feedback from our patients, which in turn is putting a smile on the faces of all our staff and volunteers. Patients are impressed at how well organised the 3 hub sites are and how safe they felt when they attended. An example of the feedback is below, this one from Laura, the daughter of a Denmead resident. Many thanks to everyone for their continued support of the practice and staff during these difficult times.    

"I just wanted to send a message to you to thank the amazing volunteers and staff who are administering the COVID-19 vaccine at Emsworth Baptist Church.

I brought my frail 86 year old mother along late yesterday from her home in Denmead and I cannot praise and thank the staff and volunteers enough.

Marshals in high-viz to greet us in the car park and along the entrance route; dozens of people ensuring that we were reassured at every stage of this extremely well organised operation. Everyone was super-efficient and very kind - without being rushed (so important for older folk).

Please could you share my thanks with each and every member of the team and share this publicly if possible.

There is so much negativity out there about how we are dealing with this crisis and yesterday proved to me that this is very often unfounded."

Your Denmead Practice is open!

We encourage you to get in touch if you have any health concerns. We have a new way of working, so if you need to discuss your concerns with a doctor, please book an appointment via the NHS App, use the eConsult service below, or telephone the practice. We ask you not to Email us as this facility is used for the many messages and results from all the hospitals and clinicians. Receptionists do not receive these Emails so any requests for appointments will not be actioned.

Full details of our new way of working can be found in the attached document:

Making appointments and surgery access - 19 May 2021

You can also view this helpful NHS video on YouTube:

How to access your GP practice

Volunteer Buddy Service

This service for delivering medication will be stopping on 31st March 2021. Medication will continue to go to our Hambledon Surgery each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for collection by 10am. Please allow three working days from submitting your request until collecting your medication. Alternatively, you can collect from Denmead Health Centre, Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30 or 2.30 to 6pm.

We would like to say a huge thank you to the volunteers for all their help and kindness in giving up their time to deliver the medication to our patients.

Coronavirus, patient support and mental health

The links below will take you to documents which offer a range of useful information and contacts. These provide help and support in relation to COVID-19 and your broader health needs - including mental health and social health needs - during these times.

COVID-19 - Patient Support - 21 March 2021

Mental Health Resources List - 15 November 2020

Havant & Waterlooville Primary Care Network - Patient Social Support information - 1 January 2021

Henry Buddies - support for families with young children

Flu vaccinations 2021

Vaccination clinics will commence in September. Please ensure we have your correct contact details so you don't miss out on your invite.

Updates will be posted here later in the year.

Patient letter - Flu vaccinations - November-December 2020

Ear irrigation (ear syringing) is no longer available 

From March 2020 Ear irrigation (ear syringing) will no longer be available.  

Ear syringing is no longer considered to be the first line treatment for the clearing of ear wax and it is not a funded service within the NHS for General Practice.

For further information and advice, see the attached document:

Ear Wax information

Hayfever - we no longer routinely prescribe hayfever medicines  

In accordance with Government guidelines, we no longer routinely prescribe hayfever medicines. Learn more via this link:

https://www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/content_files/Prescribing/Local_Decisions/Over_The_Counter_Medicines/Hayfever%20leaflet.pdf

Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing 

Clinicians will generally no longer prescribe for medicines which can be obtained over the counter. See the leaflet at the following link for more information:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1a-over-the-counter-leaflet-print-ready.pdf

Face masks 

Unfortunately we do not have sufficient supplies to be able to issue face masks to patients attending the surgery for an appointment.

We have enough for the GPs and Nurses to wear, which will protect you from us; however, you will need to wear a face mask, bandana or scarf if you are asked to attend the surgery.

** The DISPENSARY opening hours have changed to 9-12.30pm  14.30 - 18.00  All prescription enquiries can only be dealt with during these times. We would ask that payments are made by CARD only

Welcome to The Denmead Practice Online 

There has been a Doctor's surgery in Denmead since 1932. Before the Second World War the Doctors lived in Hambledon and had a branch surgery in Denmead - in fact the branch surgery was one of the cottages next to the present Health Centre.

The first Denmead surgery was in Dr Horn's house, it then moved to Ashling Park Road prior to the current Health Centre, which was built on the old village pond in 1974.

Denmead surgery as it is now, is a semi-rural Dispensing Practice with the branch surgery at Hambledon. The practice operates from Health Authority premises and incorporates on-site community services.

The Practice covers an area of 80 square miles and has a list size of just over 9,600 patients. The workload is covered by a combination of male and female partners plus a supportive Practice team.

Our Primary Health Care Team offers comprehensive care for all our patients in Denmead and surroundings villages.

We try to maintain good continuity of care by offering a professional service by your own doctor. We have a range of in-house services and a network of Community staff who can be called upon by your doctor for specialist care.

As a Practice we participate in research studies from time to time through the Primary Care Research Network.