Newsletter: September 2023

It’s beginning to look a lot like ‘flu season!

Please support the practice by having your vaccinations with us! We are holding our ‘flu clinics on the following dates:

• Saturday 23rd September
• Saturday 14th October

Eligible patients should have received a text with a link to book a ‘flu jab. If you have not, or we have not been in touch already, please call us on 01954 719469.

Influenza (‘flu) vaccines protect against the influenza viruses. ‘Flu vaccination is important because, whilst ‘flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even lifethreatening to others, particularly those  with certain health conditions. The best time to have your ‘flu vaccine is early autumn before ‘flu starts spreading. However, you can get your vaccine later if necessary.

Groups eligible for a free NHS ‘flu vaccine from 1st September 2023 are:

• Those aged 65 years and over.
• Those aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups including chronic respiratory disease, ischaemic heart disease and vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological  disease, diabetes and adrenal insufficiency, immunosuppression and those who are in close contact with an immunosuppressed person, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, pregnant women, and obesity (BMI  40+).
• Carers in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.
• Care home residents.
• Pregnant women.
• Children aged 2 or 3 years old on 31st August 2023.
• Primary school children will be vaccinated in school and only eligible to have through the surgery if they have an underlying health condition mentioned above.

Please note that the over 50’s with no underlying conditions are no longer eligible for a free NHS ‘flu vaccine. However, private ‘flu vaccinations are widely available through high street pharmacies.

Covid Boosters:

Once again Bourn Surgery are hoping to be able to offer some Covid Boosters to those eligible who wish to receive it alongside their Seasonal ‘Flu vaccine. This offer is subject to availability of the vaccine (there  has been a short-notice change to this offer nationally).

Online access:

There are various ways of accessing your medical record and online services. The NHS App is one of the preferred options as this links all of your NHS services in one place. You are able to access your medical  record and order your repeat prescriptions through the App.

We have had positive feedback regarding our new website, and the “Contact Us” option has proved popular for routine queries, particularly those relating to administrative issues such as asking for sick certificates.  Please remember that this option is not to be used for any urgent concerns regarding your health; please contact us by telephone if you have an urgent need to contact us.

This “Contact Us” function is powered by software called AccuRx, which is available to GP practices across the country. AccuRx now links directly to the NHS App, so the “Contact Us” service will be available  through the NHS App as well. When you use the App, you will receive any replies through the App, but we have been assured you will also receive a text message if you do not read the message on the App within a few hours. Turning on notifications within the NHS App will ensure you are made aware as soon as a message arrives.

Telephone access:

We appreciate that telephone access can be frustrating at times when the lines are busy. However this does remain the safest way to contact us if you have an urgent medical need, as you will be able to speak  directly to a member of the practice team to help you. We have a cloud-based telephony service which allows us to monitor call volumes as well as waiting times. Please remember that when there is a delay in answering you, this is because all available staff are currently dealing with other phone calls and they will be with you as soon as possible. We do know that you are waiting and our Reception team work hard to  ensure you are answered as quickly as possible.

Health kiosk - Know Your Numbers!

4th-10th September was Know Your Numbers! Week for 2023, which encourages adults to have a blood pressure check to identify those with unidentified high blood pressure. We have invested in a Health Kiosk for  our waiting room, which our patients are welcome to come and use without an appointment. This kiosk allows you to measure your blood pressure, as well as height and weight, with the results being linked  directly to your medical record. Please feel free to come and use it!

Published: Sep 21, 2023