Welcome to The Village Surgery

Coronavirus Update

The NHS in Derbyshire and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely 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.

The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, follow the specific advice for returning travellers.

Anyone who has travelled to China or places listed above in the last 14 days and develops symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, should immediately:

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu   Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country 

Information for the public is available at gov.uk/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.  

The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan, Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the GP practice 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. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual. 

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

 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.

 You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

EXTENDED HOURS

Within our group of practices, Limes Medical Centre, Village Surgery and Blackwell Medical Centre, extended hours appointments with a GP are now available between 7.30am and 8.00am on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday mornings and between 6.30pm and 8.00pm on Tuesday evenings.

Named Accountable GP

Under new contractual requirements we are required to inform you of your Named Accountable GP. Unless you have previously been notified otherwise you will find your Named Accountable GP printed on the right hand side of your prescription, or you can ask at reception. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN STILL SEE ANY DOCTOR OF YOUR CHOICE

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.

WARNING

Police forces have become aware of a fraud circulating targeting elderly and vulnerable members of the community.

Some people have received telephone calls from a caller who purports to be from a GP surgery and asks for an appointment to discuss the persons health or mobility needs. During the appointment, the older person is persuaded to buy mobility aids which are either unnecessary or inappropriate and always expensive.

If you receive a call like this, please check with your GP surgery first before agreeing to a visit.

Stay well this winter

For more information please click on the link below.
http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/

Healthy and Warm in Derbyshire

Student protection for meningococcal disease

Public Health England is calling for students to get the MenACWY vaccine as cases of meningococcal disease - that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) - are anticipated to spike in the winter months. They are urging students to take up the vaccine during their university break before they return to university and halls of residence, where they are often in close contact with many other students.

Please click on the link below for more information on the MenACWY vaccine.
PHE_9427_MenACWY_leaflet_2015_8pages_07_web.pdf

The surgery will be closed on Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Should you need urgent medical attention during this time please call 111