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Patient News

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Welcome to the new website
17 Feb, 2023

Welcome to Harbourside Family Practice's new WEBSITE, we hope you will find it informative and useful and we welcome your feedback about it. We will try to keep it as up to date as possible with surgery changes such as new patient services available to you, our vaccine clinic dates and latest news.

Recent and upcoming changes to Covid rules

Government guidelines continue to be updated as the coronavirus situation develops and more is understood about the latest variant.

Recent changes include:

  • From Tuesday 11 January, if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, most people will not need to take a PCR test to confirm the result. You must self-isolate immediately if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test and report the result.
  • From 4am on Sunday 9 January, if you qualify as fully vaccinated, you can take either a rapid lateral flow or PCR test within 2 days of arriving in England. If you have a positive result on the rapid lateral flow test, you must take a PCR test.
  • From Friday 7 January, if you qualify as fully vaccinated or are under 18, you do not need to take a PCR test before you travel to England or self-isolate when you arrive.
Waiting for your hospital care

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact on the NHS and hospitals are trying to resume routine services and keep patients safe, at the same time as continuing to treat Coronavirus cases. Hospitals are reviewing patients who have been waiting a long time, to understand their current position and treatment wishes, and to help them prioritise those in most urgent need. They are doing their utmost to ensure you get the treatment you require as soon as possible.

Support

All NHS organisations have a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) which is there to provide support and advice for patients. The PALS service for the hospitals in our area are as follows:

North Bristol NHS Trust

Call the North Bristol NHS Trust Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0117 414 4569 or email pals@nbt.nhs.uk. The on-site office is currently closed to visitors.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol Hospitals

Call the Patient Support and Complaints Team for Bristol Hospitals on 0117 342 1050 or email psct@uhbw.nhs.uk. The on-site office is currently closed to visitors.

Weston General Hospital

Call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service for Weston General Hospital on 01934 647216 or email wnt-tr.pals@nhs.net. The on-site office is currently closed to visitors.

Sirona care & health

Call the Sirona Customer Care Service on 0300 124 5400 (8.30am to 4.30pm Monday-Friday) or email sirona.customercare@nhs.net.

Useful information while waiting

There is a range of guidance to help you manage your condition and your wellbeing while waiting for a routine operation or treatment. Please click here.

Covid-19 Booster Vaccination - Update 13th Dec 2021

The NHS vaccination programme will offer every adult the chance to book a covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year to protect the nation against the Omicron variant.

As part of the biggest and fastest vaccine programme in health service history, online bookings are available for all those in their 30s and above from today.

The best way to get your vaccine is by booking online at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 – please do keep checking availability as appointments are loaded onto the system every day. The website and phoneline are understandably very busy and we thank you for your patience when booking.

The national booking service will then open up to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday this week.

The NHS is prioritising bookings for boosters and is urging people to book a slot to guarantee their vital jab. Some sites offer walk-in appointments where no appointment is needed. Please check here for clinics with walk-in availability and their opening hours www.happyhealthylives.uk/vaccinationdrop-ins

GP teams have been asked to clinically prioritise their services to free up maximal capacity to support the covid-19 vaccination programme, alongside delivering critical appointments such as cancer, urgent and emergency care. This might mean that for some people, routine appointments are postponed as part of the national mission to roll out boosters.

Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.That is why the Government has asked the NHS to prioritise boosters over other routine care.

We appreciate your support and understanding – and urge you to come forward for your vaccination as soon as possible.

Guidance for Patients sending in Photographs
  • If possible, another person should take the photo for you.
  • Ensure you are taking a photo in a well-lit area (ideally with natural light) and avoid shadows.
  • Your photo should ideally be taken on a plain background.
  • Make sure you take a photo that is in focus (keep the camera far enough away from the site until the image focuses).
  • Please try to hold still or rest your limbs on furniture to keep it still.
  • If you are taking a photo of something on your arm/leg, your photo should show both arms/legs to allow for a comparison to the other arm/leg.
  • Take AT LEAST  2 photos: One close up and one showing the wider area.
  • Ideally you should take lots of photos and send us the best ones.
  • Take some photos from different directions.
Infection prevention control guidelines to remain in place

The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors. While COVID restrictions will end in many settings in England from 19 July, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.

Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors and across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.

Read the infection prevention control guidance for further details.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Advice in your region: 

England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | Ireland 

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms 

Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them. 

Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms 

Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with. 

Testing and tracing 

Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service. 

People at high risk 

Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women. 

Social distancing and changes to everyday life 

Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus. 

GOV.UK: coronavirus – guidance and support 

Government information and advice.