Spring Booster Update: We have no further booster clinic's here at the surgery until the Autumn time now. We had 1105 patients who were eligible for a spring booster, from that number 873 patients have took up the offer of a vaccine. If you still need a vaccine you can seek advice from 119 or visit NHS.UK and search book a covid vaccine.

We are experiencing some delay with the delivery of the covid booster vaccinations however we received our flu vaccines for all eligible cohorts. As such we altered our original plan of concentrating on offering combined vaccinations. We will be offering joint covid booster and flu vaccinations as soon as we have confirmation of the arrival of covid vaccinations and we will update our website / FB as soon as this is confirmed. This will most likely be middle of October.

At the meanwhile we have flu clinics available throughout weekdays both mornings and afternoons. We are also planning to hold weekend clinics over the next few weeks. As soon as we have available dates we will update our website /FB.

In the first round we will be sending invitations to eligible patients by text message with a link to book their slots. The text message will be coming from "GPSurgery". You can also book your flu appointment by calling us on 01798 342 248 or via SystmOnline / Airmid App. If you prefer to book by telephone please call after 10:00 am.

As always, we appreciate your understanding with regards to the pressure this vaccine programme will put on ordinary GP services.

(14.09.2022)

We are delighted to now be offering Covid-19 boosters at Petworth Surgery.

We are following national guidelines to prioritise the boosters in an effort to get ahead of the new Omicron variant. This means that for short period we may only be able to deal with urgent care needs.

Our clinics currently run Monday to Friday offering a variation of morning and afternoon appointments here at Petworth Surgery.

We will be in touch with all patients when it is their turn to be invited to a clinic

You will be invited via text message or phone call. Once you have booked an appointment please attend it. We also be able to offer some walk-in appointments.

You may also be invited for your Covid Booster by the National Booking System to attend another clinic. If you decide to go elsewhere, please be aware that the vaccination recording systems are different and there may be some delay in your information reaching us for your medical records. Therefore, you may be invited twice if you are still in our system as due your Booster vaccine. Please decline our invitation if you have already had your Booster or have an appointment already booked.

Please note:

• We are currently only able to offer the Pfizer vaccine. Unless you had an anaphylactic reaction (tight throat/breathing AND itchy swollen skin) then you can have the Pfizer vaccine.
• If you have Covid symptoms please wait to have the vaccine until you have recovered from the symptoms to avoid confusing vaccine side effects with the illness.
• If you are Covid positive you need to wait at least 4 weeks from when you tested positive before having the vaccine.

(29.12.2021)

Finding yourself recovering from COVID and /or supporting your family member, relative or friend, following their COVID illness can be challenging. We hope the information within the NHS's COVID recovery website will give you reassurance and support during recovery. 

If you have any symptoms the advice is to self isolate and stay at home.  For advice, visit 111.nhs.uk or call for a telephone consulation on 01798342248 

This will also ensure the safety of the practice team and also patients who may be undergoing treatment that reduces their immunity.

Stay alert stay safe. 

The latest Government advice on social distancing can be found here: latest staying alert info at .gov.uk

It is likely that in the coming weeks our service will be under huge pressure due to workload and our own staff self isolation measures. It is important to us that if you feel you might have a significant illness or need help with managing a chronic significant condition that you book an appointment with us in the usual manner. Please use the NHS website for advice on how to manage minor problems and when to seek advice.

Please consider (if possible) buying a thermometer and blood pressure machine for use at home. If you have asthma a peak flow meter and if you usually suffer from breathing difficulties a pulse oximeter. Also consider practicing how to take a pulse and count a relatives breathing rate in breaths per minute. This information would be extremely helpful in a phone consulation with a nurse or doctor.

We are delighted to share with you all that we have secured agreements so that we will be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccine at our surgery.

We take our responsibility to ensure you receive this vital protection extremely seriously and we are very pleased we can take this positive step forward.

We expect that subject to deliveries of the vaccine we will be able to start vaccinating our patients in the next two weeks.

Once we have confirmed delivery dates, we will plan our clinics and start to contact our patients in the first priority group – those who are over 80 - to begin with.

We appreciate all of the support that there has been for the surgery and our team from our patients as we have sought to make these arrangements for our patients.

We would also like to thank our partners at the CCG and in the community, including Andrew Griffiths MP, for their support and we look forward to continuing to work with you all as we roll out this vaccination programme. We would also like to extend a special thanks to our Practice Manager, Hafiza Bhabha, who has worked tirelessly on this for months.

As we work to plan for vaccination clinics, we kindly ask that you do not call the surgery to enquire about vaccination appointments. We will call you as soon as an appointment is available.

(14.01.2021)

Vitamin D Supplements

Information for patients

Why is Vitamin D important?

Vitamin D is a hormone made in our bodies in the presence of sunlight. It is also found in small amounts in foods. Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health, and supports a healthy immune system.

Do I need to take Vitamin D supplements?

During winter, and ideally all year round, children from one year old and adults in the UK should take a daily supplement containing at least 400 international units (IU) of Vitamin D. This is equivalent to 10 micrograms (μg).

This is because there is not enough sunlight in the UK during winter (October to March) for the body to make its own Vitamin D. Whilst Vitamin D is in some foods, it is difficult for most people to get enough from food alone.

Many people do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight, even during the summer, because they have little or no sunshine exposure, or a reduced ability to make Vitamin D.

You should take a daily supplement containing at least 400 IU (10 micrograms) of Vitamin D all year round, if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You are shielding due to Covid-19
• You wear clothes that cover up most of the skin when outdoors
• You are housebound, work indoors during the day, or are a night shift worker
• You have darker skin, for example of African, African-Caribbean, Asian or Middle-Eastern descent
• You are over the age of 65
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding

Infants and children under four, who are taking less than 500ml of infant formula a day should also take 340-400 IU (8.5-10 micrograms) of Vitamin D per day, and may be eligible for free supplements on the Healthy Start Scheme.

Is it possible to take too much Vitamin D?

Some supplements contain a higher dose, such as 800 IU (20 micrograms). These are also safe and effective. However, taking more than 4000 IU (100 micrograms) of Vitamin D a day for a long time could be harmful. If you have purchased supplements containing a higher dose than this, take them less frequently so your overall intake is lower. Children under 10 should not take more than 2000 IU (50 micrograms) per day.

Will taking Vitamin D supplements help prevent Covid-19?

The direct link between Vitamin D and Covid-19 prevention and treatment is still being established.

Approved by Surrey Heartlands MM Cell Surrey Heartlands MMT Version 2 23 December 2020

Is there Vitamin D in my existing medications?

Vitamin D is often contained in calcium supplements, because the body needs Vitamin D to absorb calcium. ‘One a Day’ Multivitamin and Mineral supplements, and some Oral Nutritional Supplements also contain Vitamin D at the recommended amount, so if you take any of these, you may already be getting enough Vitamin D. If you are unsure, check with your pharmacist.

Can I get free or prescribed vitamin D?

Vitamin D is not routinely prescribed. This is because supplements are widely available to buy.

Those who have been advised to shield due to Covid-19 may be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency if they have spent little time outdoors. Therefore, in January 2021, The UK Government will deliver four months’ supply of Vitamin D supplements to those who are extremely clinically vulnerable to Covid-19.

If you are eligible, you will have received a letter inviting you to opt-in to receive the supplements. If you think you are eligible and haven’t received a letter, you can opt in by visiting The NHS website - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and typing ‘get Vitamin D’ into the search bar.

Vitamin D can be prescribed in higher doses for people who have persistent symptoms suggesting Vitamin D deficiency, which is confirmed by a blood test. Unless you have symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency you do not need to be tested, as meeting the recommended intake every day is usually enough to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels.

Which supplement should I buy?

Supplements containing 400 IU (10 micrograms) are available to purchase from pharmacies, supermarkets and online. Vitamin D is available in two forms, vitamin D3 (colecalciferol), and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 is usually from animal sources, and vitamin D2 is from plant sources.

My relative lives in a care home, how do they get Vitamin D supplements?

In January 2021, the UK Government will deliver four months’ supply of Vitamin D supplements to all care home residents. Residents do not need to opt in and these will be supplied automatically.

Where can I find out more?

BDA Food Factsheet: Vitamin D:  

www.bda.uk.com/resource/covid-19-rapid-guideline-vitamin-d.html

NHS information on Vitamin D:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

Vitamin D supplementation in winter:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vitamin-d-supplementation-during-winter-phe-and-nice-statement/statement-from-phe-and-nice-on-vitamin-d-supplementation-during-winter

Since 15th of June 2020 Face coverings became mandatory on public transport.
The introduction of the requirement for people to wear face covering on Public Transport is intended to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

There are certain groups of people who are exempt from this requirement and they include:

• children under the age of 11,
• people with disabilities
• those with breathing difficulties or
• those who are travelling with someone who relies on lip reading.
• These groups of people, their parents or guardians are able to indicate the reason, if required, as to why they are not wearing a face covering.
  
  

General practice is under considerable pressure as a direct result of the current challenges they are faced with delivering a service to patients at the same time as coping with the consequences of this virus.

There is no requirement for general practice to issue letters for patients who are unable to wear face coverings, as the Government have clearly defined the exemptions to this requirement. 

General practice needs to focus all its time and effort managing those who need their help and not be diverted from this by unnecessary tasks.

For more info visit the Gov.uk website 

Face Covering Exempt Card