Covid-19 vaccination foreign travel advice

When travelling abroad, please visit the Government website for guidance on Covid-19 vaccination requirements. The Government website has guidance for all countries and can be found at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Covid vaccination update 30.3.22

The vaccination campaign has slowed down somewhat over the last few months but from April we will see things pick up with the start of the spring booster campaign.

Patients who are eligible for the spring booster are:

• Adults aged 75 years and over on 30^th June 2022, if they are 6 months post last vaccination.
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Patients aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed

Previously we have been able to vaccinate our 5-11 year old patients who are at higher risk of catching Covid but from 4^th April we can extend this offer to all 5-11 year old patients.

We continue to offer patients first, second and booster vaccinations, so if you are in any of the eligible cohorts and would like to book an appointment, please call our covid vaccination line on 01275 866761 and we will book you in for an appointment on Saturday 9^th April or Saturday 23^rd April.

NOTES COVERING EMPLOYMENT 'sick notes' If you have to self-isolate and need a note for your employer, use this link to obtain one https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/. CAB website http://www.nscab.org.uk/coronavirus/

IMPORTANT 

We are noticing some confusion about the different types of covid tests that are available. 

If you have symptoms of COVID you must do a PCR covid test. Lateral flow tests (that you do at home and give results in 30 mins) are NOT sufficient to exclude covid if you have symptoms. When discussing with the health centre please state what type of test you are referring to.

Lateral flow tests are only for use if you have NO covid symptoms.

Get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

For all up to date information on coronavirus including symptoms, test and trace, self isolating and how to book a test - please click here.

For a really useful summary and information sheet on all things COVID please click here

Mental Health and COVID

North Somerset's '5 Ways to Wellbeing' is a really good tool to help you stay well https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-05/Five%20ways%20to%20wellbeing%20brochure.pdf

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus is also an excellent resource 

There is excellent information from the charities Mind  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/ and the Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

https://www.rcot.co.uk/staying-well-when-social-distancing

https://www.marchnetwork.org/creative-isolation shares home based creative ways to support your mental health

Keeping Active during the pandemic

https://www.go4life.org

https://www.sportengland.org/jointhemovement

Support for children

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/ is aimed at our younger patients.

COVID Help Groups

Nailsea

855277 nailseahelpers@yahoo.com   https://www.facebook.com/groups/603817680200923/

Backwell

Community Resilience Programme 464653 clerk@backwell-pc.gov.uk

https://www.facebook.com/backwellparishcouncil

Long Ashton 

Village Post Office, David Andrews  392179

www.lacovid.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/358512615045226/

If you have symptoms of coronavirus and have arranged a swab via gov.uk, please also consider if you would mind doing a further swab for PHE surveillance purposes. This practice works with the RSC to give enhanced information on covid. If you would consider giving a further swab call our research nurses on 01275 850611