Following the Government’s call to accelerate the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, a number of our GP practices are supporting the vaccination roll out against the threat of Omicron. The majority of their workforce will be delivering Covid-19 vaccines over the next two weeks.
Patients should continue to contact their GP practice for urgent health advice, but for minor health concerns they should seek help from their local pharmacist. This will allow GPs to prioritise delivery of the biggest vaccination programme the country has seen.
There is also self-help health information on the NHS website – www.nhs.uk – including reliable guidance on managing common winter illnesses.
The HANDi paediatric app has been developed by paediatric consultants for parents and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions. The HANDi app is available for Android phones on Google Play or on the App store for iPhone and iPad.
Cancer checks will continue to be prioritised. People who are concerned about symptoms which could be cancer should continue to contact their GP. This could include a new lump, blood in wee or poo, or a condition that isn’t getting any better. People can be seen in person if they need to be examined, but most conditions can be discussed by phone, or by video call with a clinician.
Please be kind to the reception teams who are working under huge pressure to help everyone get the help they need this winter.
Most GP practices in Somerset are open until Christmas Eve, and re-open again on Wednesday 28 December.
To find a local pharmacy visit – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.
If you haven’t had your booster jab yet, we urge you to get boosted now and please take up your first vaccination if you have not done so. Remember it’s never too late to take up your vaccination.