Coronavirus
Coronavirus vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccine: The NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated – please do not contact the Surgery before then
The vaccine may not be given at your GP Practice but at another local vaccination service
The first phase of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme has begun. However, initially the vaccination will be prioritised for those over 80, care home workers and residents, and frontline health and care staff. These vaccinations will be delivered through a limited number of Hospital and GP Hubs. See this leaflet explaining who was chosen for the first group and why.
If you are in a priority group, when it is the right time, you will receive an invitation to come forward for your vaccination. For most people this will be a letter (some might receive a call or a text), either from the practice or the national NHS. This letter will include all the information you will need to book appointments, including your NHS number.
This is going to be a long-term programme and it will likely take until at least Spring before all high-risk groups have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine.
Please help us and do not contact the practice or other NHS services to get an appointment for a COVID vaccination until you get this letter. Please also continue to follow the national guidance to control the virus and save lives.
Information on the vaccine is available on www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/what-we-do/covid-19/
Priority Cohort Sequence
1. Older people’s care homes residents and staff
2. People 80 years of age and over, and healthcare and social care workers
3. People 75 years of age and over
4. People 70 years of age and over
5. People 65 years of age and over
6. Adults under 65 years of age at high risk due to medical conditions
7. Adults under 65 years of age at moderate risk due to medical conditions
8. People 60 years of age and over
9. People 55 years of age and over
10. People 50 years of age and over
11. Key workers, and the rest of the population
People who are at high risk from Covid-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable) will be able to get a free four-month delivery of vitamin D starting in January.
This is a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) initiative and people should apply by 4 January 2021 via this site if they meet the following criteria:
1/ Have received a letter from the NHS or DHSC stating that they are at high risk from coronavirus; and
2/ Are aged 18 years or over; and
3/ Live in England.
For further information please visit this website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/get-vitamin-d-supplements/
Face coverings when using NHS services
All patients and visitors to NHS services must wear a face covering at all times. Click here for government guidance on how to make and wear a face mask.
Face mask exemption letters are not provided by the Practice. The latest Government guidance suggests there is no requirement for evidence for exemption. It should be sufficient for someone to declare that they are eligible for an exemption direct with the person questioning them (eg bus driver). Practices are therefore not required to provide letters of support for those who fall under the list of exemptions, or to those who do not fall under the list of exemptions. Template exemption cards and badges are available to download here
For the latest Covid-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk. If you think you may have Covid-19, please do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the NHS111 online service to find out what to do next. The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
- loss of taste or smell
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu and it does not necessarily mean you have the illness.
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can be accessed at: online coronavirus service
Use this service if:
- you think you might have coronavirus
- you've been in close contact with someone with coronavirus
Information for the public is available at nhs.uk.
Advice on self-isolation can be found here.
Get coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person. Latest advice for shielding patients here.
Get a shielding note here if you are a clinically extremely vulnerable person.
Testing is now available for all for further information click here: government test and trace service
Get an isolation note You do not need to get a note from your Doctor please go to https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ to download an isolation note. Use this service if you have to stay at home because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer. If you have to stay at home but feel well enough to work, ask your employer if you can work from home. If you can work from home, you will not need an isolation note. You can also use this service for someone else.
London Borough of Bexley is here to support you during the Coronavirus
pandemic.Whether you need someone to get shopping or other essentials,
or to give you information, guidance and advice, please call on
020 3045 5398. The helpline will be open from 8am to 6pm
Updated: 01/12/2020