UPDATE –  CLINIC ON FRI 26TH FEB IS AT STOKE GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTRE.   CLINIC ON SAT 27TH FEB IS AT CONCORD MEDICAL CENTRE (BRAYDON AVENUE).  PRE-BOOKED APPOINTMENTS ONLY.

We are getting lots of questions about eligibility for Covid vaccination following recent government announcements. The rules on this are set nationally.  There is very little discretion for us to change what we are told to do, so please try not to shoot the messenger if what we offer does not fit with what you want or expect.  We are doing our best.  A particular problem is that very little vaccine is coming into general practice at the moment but we will start to invite people down again as soon as we know when the vaccine is coming – we usually get a week’s notice of vaccine delivery. We are assured that in the next month vaccine supplies will improve considerably and we are ready to gear up to get you all vaccinated ASAP. 

The national changes to the shielding list announced this week have caused a lot of concern. Those people put on the list will be notified by the NHS nationally and will be offered the vaccine as the first priority as the next lots of vaccine arrive into practices. Those people who are in the ‘at risk’ groups, age 16-64 years old (Cohort 6), will be invited next.  This is a big group so we will need to continue to call people in by risk, which is largely age related, so we will be calling people in age bands, starting with the eldest first. We remain on course to meet all the government’s targets for vaccination so although there is huge demand from people to be vaccinated we will get to you and no one who wants the vaccine will be left behind.

Please be aware that, due to Covid 19, we will have staff off sick or isolating. Additionally, our consultations will take longer as we rely on telephones / video or need to change PPE and clean rooms between patients. As a result our capacity is limited. Our GPs are working extremely hard to provide as normal a service as possible but, at times, we may need to prioritise those that are acutely unwell and delay seeing those with chronic / long term conditions and non-urgent cases and it may take longer to get back to you following receipt of your enquiry. We appreciate your support as we work through these challenges. To reduce transmission risk, access to the surgeries is restricted to those with pre-arranged appointments. The front desks will be closed so please use Ask My GP or phone the practice to speak to Reception.

Please note that we are very busy on a Monday and may need to reply later in the week where your request is non-urgent. Please only use this service to consult with a GP or to leave an administrative query. Please be available to take a call or attend the practice on the day that you log your askmyGP request.  Please also regularly check your emails for any responses.  Please telephone if you have been asked to book an appointment with the nursing team. To order repeat medications, please use the Patient Access or NHS app.