Supporting your recovery after COVID-19
As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.
These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help.
Your COVID Recovery helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery. Find out more information at www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk
Flu Vaccinations
Our annual flu vaccination clinics will be held at Ashfields Primary Care Centre. This year, due to the current pandemic it is more challenging, as we have to adhere to the government advice regarding social distancing.
In order for Ashfields to meet the guidelines and to ensure that patients and staff are safe there will be a one way system in place, at two different entrances to the building.
We would like to ensure that you and others around you are safe whilst attending for your flu vaccination.
- If you have any symptoms of COVID on the date of your appointment, please do not attend
- Please wear a mask or face covering when you attend
- Please come alone, unless you have a carer or need help to attend
- Please arrive at the time of your appointment to avoid having to wait, please DO NOT arrive early as you may not be able to enter the building straight away
The first flu clinic will be on:
Saturday 26th September 2020 by invitation only for shielded patients and any patients with the following conditions; COPD, Diabetes, Stroke
- Letters are currently being sent out for this clinic only.
- You will be notified by letter of your appointment for the flu clinics.
- Please refer to this page for further dates for the flu clinics.
New government recommendation for patients aged 50 to 64 to have a flu vaccination. Patients will be contacted in November.
Flu Vaccinations for 50-64 year olds
Please note, if you are in the 50-64-year old age group you will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine. No appointments will be offered for this age group until then.
This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.
Thank you
We are now operating a queuing system at the practice
From the 2nd September 2020 the surgery will be operating a queuing system if you have been asked to attend the surgery. There is to be no more than three people in the queue and we will have clear instructions on our main door regarding all the changes.
We know that contacting the surgery can be difficult and to help with this, please can patients call after 2.00pm for anything that is routine and for test results.
We review our processes on a regular basis and during this difficult time we are committed to working in a way to keep everyone, staff and patients, as safe as we can.
Please visit our website to keep up to date with any changes in the future.
Your support is appreciated.
Sign up if you are interested in taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial
If you would be interested in the NHS contacting you about taking part in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine studies in the UK, then go to: https://www.nhs.uk/sign-up-to-be-contacted-for-research
This does not automatically sign you up to take part in a specific study but just lets researchers know you’re happy to be contacted if they think you might be suitable to take part in their studies.
Ashfields is restarting the routine Smear Testing Service
The service for routine smears was suspended during Covid-19, but we can confirm that this is now being restarted.
We ask that anyone that has had their smear postponed or knows it is overdue, to please book in we have lots of availability for appointments to catch up during July.
Many thanks
Dr Baker is Retiring!
Dr David Baker is retiring from Ashfields at the end of May after just under 35 years as a GP. Dave has worked full-time until very recently, and been a GP Trainer, training and developing GPs. Dave has always had an interest in medicine rather than surgery, particularly diabetes, setting up our first diabetic clinic. Dave is the go to person clinically for everyone at Ashfields, and will be sorely missed as a knowledgeable and supportive colleague.
Everyone at Ashfields sends their best wishes for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
GermDefence – Simple steps to reduce viruses in your home
This advice was developed by health experts and proved to reduce illness in a study of over 20,000 people. People who followed the advice in Germ Defence were less likely to catch pandemic flu or other viruses – and if they did become ill the illness was shorter and milder on average.
COVID-19 is caught in the same way as other viruses. Germ Defence provides advice on how you can protect yourself using the same methods that have worked for other viruses.
It only takes around 10 minutes to go through the information – but it could protect you from the coronavirus, along with a lifetime of fewer colds and flu. Click here to take part.
Join a COVID-19 clinical trial
The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if:
- You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
- a continuous new or worsening cough
- a high temperature
- OR have a positive test for SARS-Co-V2 infection with COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days
- You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
- You are aged 65 and above
Find out more visit: https://sentry.phc.ox.ac.uk/prinscreen/ASC
Or call the Trial Team on 0800 138 0880
Need Emergency Dental Care during Covid-19?
Revive Dental Care offers NHS Emergency Dental Clinics across Cheshire and Merseyside, with emergency appointments for patients who need urgent treatment, advice and support on dental queries or referral to other services.
If you need help with an urgent dental problem, call their Emergency Helpline, available from 9am to 9.30pm every day, including weekends and Bank Holidays.
0161 476 9651
Please note: this is an appointment only service – we do not operate a ‘drop-in’ service at any of our surgeries.
