Important Update on the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
On 19th June we completed our final vaccination clinic after 6 months and over 35,000 vaccinations. Our thanks go to everyone involved in this massive effort including our staff and wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure that the vaccine clinics were successful.
Everyone aged 18 or over is now able to phone 119 and book an appointment for a vaccine. The Hexham Mart mass vaccination site is administering the Pfizer vaccine.
We have tried to contact the small number of patients who have not yet had a second dose of vaccine. For a very small number of patients who only recently had an AstraZeneca vaccine here, we will be contacting you about your second dose soon.
If you have previously declined a covid vaccination but have changed your mind please call 119, whatever your age.
Proof of Vaccination
During the vaccination campaign we handed out vaccination appointment cards to patients. These were used to record your vaccination as a handy reminder, and as somewhere to note the date of your next vaccination.
These cards are not proof of vaccination in any official sense if, for example, you were required by an airline to provide evidence that you had received two vaccinations.
The only recognised vaccination certification currently available is available either through the NHS App or by phoning 119.
If you wish to use the NHS App for covid-19 vaccination status and you have a passport, you should be able to self-register. Further information about proving your covid-19 status is available here.
Please do not ask the Practice for a letter to prove your covid-19 status. Apart from anything else it's hard to see what a border official in the UK or elsewhere will make of a letter from us. It is extremely unlikely to be helpful to you.
Data Sharing - GPDRP
You may have recently seen concerning newspaper headlines about your data being sold to private companies.
These stories stem from concerns about a new IT system from NHS Digital called General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR). Data from patient's records will automatically be extracted for the uses described on their website.
Please read the information provided on the website and decide for yourself if you are happy with the arrangements or wish to opt out.
Please note that there are two types of opt-out:
If you do not want your data to be shared with NHS Digital at all, even for just the purpose of NHS research and planning, you must complete a 'type 1 opt-out', and a form for you to complete is available on the home page of our website. Please complete the form, hand it in, or post it to us and we will then update your records accordingly. If you provide a mobile phone number or we already have one on your record then we will send a text message to confirm that we have updated your record.
If you are happy for the NHS to use your data for research and planning, but do not want it shared with other third-party organisations, you need to register a 'national opt-out' via NHS Digital. We cannot register that for you.
If you ask us to register a "type 1" opt out using the form on our website, then later wish to change your mind and allow data to be collected from your records, please use the same form and tick the appropriate box.
We do not have any further information on the programme than is available online. Please do not ask to speak to a GP for more information.
To provide more time for NHS Digital to to speak with patients, doctors, health charities and others, the collection of GP data for Planning and Research in England has been deferred from 1 July to 1 September 2021. we would therefore recommend completing a "type 1" opt out form by the start of August to allow us time to receive and process the forms in advance of a cut-off date that is likely to be some time before the end of August.
Consultation Arrangements
The majority of consultations are still being conducted by telephone, though this has been gradually changing over the last few months. In order to ensure that we keep the volume of patients in the building to acceptable limits we will would encourage patients to only expect face to face appointments where that is appropriate for their medical condition.
If your symptoms suggest you have a covid infection it is still vitally important that you arrange a test and do not enter the building. If you have a medical need while waiting for your test result (or you are known to be covid positive) then we have an alternative route into consulting room that means you don't need to enter via the front doors which could potentially put others at risk.
New Appointments System
We are intending to start using a new appointments system over the summer. If all goes smoothly then you should notice little difference, though please do be patient if we experience any teething problems.
When we open up our online bookings using the new system you will need to use the Patient Access website or the NHS App, rather than our current Appointments Online system. Prescription ordering can already be done using the NHS App and we will continue with the Appointments Online ordering system for at least a few months to allow patients to register for the NHS App or the Patient Access website.
Buggy Walks
Northumbria Healthcare and Eagles Community Foundation are providing 3 weekly FREE stroller walks to encourage a return to fitness after pregnancy.
Walks last between 1 and 1.5 miles at a gentle pace giving the chance to relax and get to know new friends.
The local walk starts outside the Tyne Green play park on Tuesdays at 1pm and will run until 20th July.
Booking is essential. Email: n.curry@eaglescommunityfoundation.com or chris@eaglescommunityfoundation.com to book, or for more details.
You will be emailed a health form to complete prior to your first session.
