COVID 19 VACCINATIONS
Why haven't I been invited for a vaccination yet?
The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those people who experts have agreed will benefit from it the most. We will let you know when it is your turn to book your vaccination.
The public, and particularly our patient representatives, have an important part to play to help the NHS roll out the vaccination:
- please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you;
- when we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments;
- and please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.
In the meantime, you can get information about the Covid-19 Vaccination online at nhs.uk/covidvaccination
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that the first priorities for any Covid-19 vaccination programme should be to minimise Covid-19 deaths and the protection of health and social care staff and systems. Current evidence strongly indicates that the single greatest risk of death from Covid-19 is increasing age and that the risk increases exponentially with age. With this in mind, the rollout to patients is based on age:
- those aged over 80 years
- those aged over 75 years
- those aged over 70 years
- adults on the NHS shielded patient list
- those aged over 65 years
- adults under 65 years with long term conditions
The rollout of the vaccination is accelerating, and we expect the vaccine will be available to more people early in the New Year
VITAMIN D
Recommendation from Government is that everyone should be taking extra vitamin D from October to March unless already prescribed this. It is available to buy from chemists, supermarkets and other stores. For further information please click the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
If you are deemed clinically vulnerable then you should receive a letter from the NHS asking you to opt in to a scheme which will start delivering Vitamin D directly to your home from January. Please do not contact the Surgery regarding this as we have no input into this
COVID-19 TESTS
We understand that patients are struggling to access Covid-19 tests
Please see the latest statement from Morecambe Bay CCG:
"Tests can only be booked on the national online booking portal or by calling 119 if you do not have access to the internet. You cannot book a test in any other way.
Anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location or time which is not convenient, should wait a few hours and then try again. More tests are available each day and are allocated based on areas of greatest need and the prevalence of the virus. As the service is very busy you may have to try more than once to access the service and be offered the location you need
You should not go to A&E or your GP Practice to get a coronavirus test as you may spread the virus. Both A&E and your GP Practice are unable to assist you in booking a COVID-19 test and cannot provide COVID-19 testing
Booking a test if you have symptoms is vital to the control of the virus and the saving of lives, so please continue to self-isolate and come back to the online booking portal or the 119 service if you have not been successful.
https://www.morecambebayccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events-2/462-advice-for-getting-a-test-for-covid-19"
Doctors at Bridgegate surgery would like you to join Doctorlink
We have been looking at how we can improve access to Practice services.
Doctorlink is our new online service where you can :-
Access advice
Book appointments online
Click on the link below to register
https://app.doctorlink.com/bridgegate/register
Corona Virus
Covid-19
GP_COVID_Privacy Notice.docx
We are being inundated by patients requesting information as to whether they are in an "at risk group" the only guidance we have access to is the Government Advice on social distancing.
Please do not contact the surgery regarding employment issues, speak directly to your employer.
Please refer directly
https://www.gov.uk/…/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-ever…
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and requests for fit notes (Med3)
Requests for certification of absence from work may fall into five categories:
- Personally affected – isolating for seven days
- Personally affected - remaining unwell for over seven days
- Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days as per government advice
- At risk group – following government advice
- Those in full time education
- Personally affected – isolating for seven days
Patients should self-certify for the first seven days as normal if they are unfit to work.
They do not need to contact their GP
- Personally affected - remaining unwell for over seven days
If patients remain unwell and unfit to work over seven days, advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk and complete an online self-assessment. The patient may be asked to call 111 for further advice on the next steps regarding their illness/ fitness to work.
They do not need to contact their GP.
- Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days as per government advice
- At risk group – following government advice
GPs cannot and are not the gatekeeper of the statutory sick pay system. Employers are responsible for putting in place arrangements for home/remote working where this is possible. Where it is not, the employee may self-certify and return to work following the relevant absence which their employer may authorise as per government advice. Where they do become unwell during or after this time, point 1 and 2 applies.
They do not need to contact their GP.
- Those in full time education
There is no requirement to issue certification to schools or colleges to confirm absence. These organisations must work with parents and students to ensure that any absence is appropriately recorded, obviating the need for a ‘doctor’s note’.
They do not need to contact their GP
As per the current www.gov.uk S13 Guidance for Employers it should be noted that:
By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. After 7 days, it is for the employer to determine what evidence they require, if any, from the employee. This does not need to be a fit note (MED3) issued by a GP or any other doctor.
Your employee will be advised to isolate themselves and not to work in contact with other people by NHS 111 or Public Health England if they are a carrier of, or have been in contact with, an infectious or contagious disease, such as Covid-19.
We strongly suggest that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advice is to stay at home due to suspected Covid-19, in accordance with the public health advice being issued by the government.
New Practice Private Policies
Please click in the links below to open and read
Young patient privacy policy
Personal information
DID YOU KNOW WEEKEND GP APPOINTMENTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
In partnership with your GP, Cumbria Health on Call are offering WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS at Furness General Hospital or Westmorland General Hospital.
You will be seen by a GP who has access to your medical records and who can provide the same service as your usual GP.
Healthcare Assistant appointments are also available.
Please ask at the surgery if you would like to book a weekend appointment.
Opening Hours
Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more
Repeat Prescriptions
Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page and complete the online form. Find out more
Like To Register?
New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more
Practice leaflet
(Site updated 07/07/2021)
For appointments and prescriptions please use the
Online Services link above. Alternatively, just click
here.