Steyning MEDICAL PRACTICE - 01903 843400

*We are currently experiencing very high call volumes and you may have a longer wait than usual. Please bear with us - our staff are working very hard to answer your call. thank you for you patience at this challenging time.* 

Seasonal flu vaccinations

If you are 65 or over, pregnant, are on the NHS COVID-19 shielding list or have certain medical conditions, you are entitled to a free flu vaccination at Steyning Medical Practice. This year we have flu clinics running on:

26^th & 27^th September 2020: 9am-1.45pm.

Please book online using patient services or via the NHS app if you are eligible, or call our dedicated flu line on 01903 843427 (10am-4pm)

The COVID-19 pandemic means that our flu clinics will look different this year. In order to protect our staff and patients whilst enabling us to deliver this vitally important vaccination campaign, we are running the clinics over two whole weekends, all day. We will therefore have fewer patients attending for their vaccination at any one time, enabling for correct social distancing. There will be a strict one-way system in place and our staff will be wearing appropriate PPE. We will also be relying on you to play a part in helping us deliver this service as safely and efficiently as possible. 

Please note that, if you are aged between 50 and 64 and not in a clinical at risk group, the earliest you will be offered a flu vaccination is November, providing there is sufficient vaccine. No appointments will be offered for people in this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are aged 50 to 64 and are in a clinical ‘at risk’ group which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier. 

In light of the risk of flu and COVID-19 circulating together this winter, flu immunisation will be essential to protect vulnerable people and to support the resilience of the NHS.

If you do not usually take up the offer of flu vaccination we would strongly encourage you to consider attending this year, to help protect yourself, the public and the NHS. 

Please watch this short video from Dr Galloway below: 

Help us to help you:

Do not attend if you are experiencing covid-19 symptoms

• Wear a mask or face covering
• Only attend if you have a pre-booked appointment
• Attend your appointment alone or with a single carer / household
• Turn up for your appointment on time to reduce queues
• Observe social distancing whilst queuing
• Have an arm out ready for vaccination
• Leave promptly via the one-way system (unless asked to wait)

Please do not book if you are not eligible, this will use up a valuable appointment, we will not be able to administer the vaccination and you will be turned away.

Important information about coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please do not present at the medical practice if you have any of the following: a new cough, a high temperature (above 37.8 c), if you have been in contact with anyone with coronavirus or think that you might have Coronavirus.

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

See the latest information on symptoms of coronovirus infection from the NHS

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can give advice and tell you if you need to seek medical help.

Please use this service if:
- you think you might have coronavirus
- you've been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.

This is an evolving situation and the advice has changed based on emerging information. We will update our website as further guidance becomes available. Further information can be found on the Public Health England website.

Appointments

We are currently open between 8.00am and 6.30pm only.

Due to current concerns regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19), with effect from today we will be operating a full telephone triage system.

If you need to see a doctor, a nurse or arrange a blood test, please telephone the surgery and the receptionist will put your name on a list for one of the clinical team to call you back. We can also currently only offer telephone advice for online booking.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE HEALTH CENTRE unless you have been contacted first by one of the clinical team.

If you have a routine appointment that has already been booked, and you develop a fever or a new continuing cough, or feel that you have symptoms of Coronavirus infection, please do not come to the Health Centre, but telephone the Practice for advice.

Please note that our Upper Beeding Surgery branch site is currently closed to patients.

Attending your APPOINTMENT

If you are advised to attend for an appointment, please arrive at your allocated time and use the intercom at the front door to speak to a receptionist.  Once your clinician has put on the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they will come to collect you from the front of the building. You will be given a mask to wear.

Please bear in mind that you will need to wait for your appointment outside the Practice and you will not be able to use the waiting room, so please wear suitable clothing for the weather. We kindly ask that you attend the appointment alone. If you are bringing a child to an appointment, we ask that only one parent accompanies them. We apologise for any difficulties that this may cause, we are taking these measures to protect our staff and patients. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this challenging time.

NOTICE OF PRACTICE CLOSURES

We are occasionally closed for training events.  See dates and further details of upcoming closures for staff training.

NEW NHS APP

If you’re a patient at our practice you can now use the new NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.

If you already use SystmOnline, you can continue to use it. You can alternatively use the NHS App. View more information about the NHS App.

Our cqc report