Current COVID policy for Thaxted Surgery
If you have ONE or ALL of the following symptoms:
A NEW COUGH
A SORE THROAT
A HIGH TEMPERATURE
and are ringing to make an appointment with the GP -
You will need to have had a NEGATIVE results from a LATERAL FLOW TEST within 24 hours of your appointment.
This applies to patients of all ages (including babies and small children).
We do not provide lateral flow test kits from the surgery but you can get these for free from pharmacies, community centres such as libraries and at test sites. You can also order online using this link https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
If you do not have a negative test result we will book you a telephone appointment.
Dr Davidson
Dr Davidson is leaving us at the end of November after 10 years with Thaxted. We are sad to see her go and wish her all the best for the future. We are currently advertising for another GP and in the meantime have Dr Tayler covering some sessions for us.
Mother and Baby Group
First Tuesday in every month at Crocus Medical Practice, Community Hospital Site, Radwinter Road, Saffron Walden CB11 3HY 1230-1400.
COVID Recovery Group
This is an informal group for patients recovering from COVID. It is run by Kim Clark, our PCN Social Prescriber and offers tea, coffee and a chat. The group meets every other Thursday and the next date is 21 October. They meet at Cornell Court, Smallbridge road, Saffron Walden CB11 3NS.
Booster Vaccinations
Patients eligible for the booster vaccinations will shortly be receiving messages regarding these. We are starting with the immunosupressed patients as per national guidelines. You will be contacted via text or phone by Uttlesford Health/the PCN, please follow the link in the message to book or call on 01799 796524. Please DO NOT call the surgery.
In some cases you will be able to have your flu jab at the same time.
Thaxted Surgery post July 19th
With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions with effect from Monday 19th July 2021, we can confirm that all staff at Thaxted Surgery will continue to wear masks and PPE beyond the 19th July.
We kindly ask that all patients attending the Surgery also continue to wear a face mask or covering (unless clinically exempt) until further notice. We will also continue to operate within social distancing guidelines inside the building.
We have made this decision in line with PHE and Government advice on maintaining the use of masks and face coverings in health settings. We hope that this will ensure the ongoing protection of clinically vulnerable patients and staff, and will also mean that we can maintain open access to our services while reducing the risk of transmission to our staff and the impact this would have on our ability to operate.
We understand that we cannot enforce this request, however we hope that we can continue to rely on your cooperation and support.
Contacting the surgery for routine issues
If you need help with non-urgent clinical issues, medication requests or an admin request you can now contact us online at https://florey.accurx.com/p/F81131.
Concerned about your information being shared? What you need to know.
Patient data from GP medical records kept by GP practices in England is used respectfully, securely and safely every day to improve health, care and services through planning and research, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care. Data collected by the NHS is only used for health and care purposes. It is never shared with marketing or insurance companies.
The NHS is planning to introduce an improved way for GP practices to share information about patients- called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection. News of these plans has caused some concern to some of our patients, who have decided that they don’t want their data to be involved.
We have now been informed that no data will be shared in this new way until 1 September this year. This delay is to enable the national organisation NHS digital to clearly explain their plans to the public and health professionals, as well as to thoroughly investigate any concerns that have been raised.
If you have already been in touch with the practice to ask to be ‘opted out’ of your identifiable information being shared outside of our practice for any purpose, your request will be honoured. This will not affect your own care. However, nobody’s data will be shared in this new way before 1 September. If you would like to find out more about why the NHS collects and uses data, please go to this website.
Please see the link below for information regarding the COVID vaccination and blood clots.
COVID vaccinations - for up to date information on the vaccination campaign please see under Further Information.
Telephone Lines
We are aware of the frustration regarding the telephone lines and the difficulty getting through to the surgery. Unfortunately, we are unable to reinstate on line bookings until the guidance changes. In the meantime our phones are extremely busy and our receptionists are working as hard as they can answering the phones constantly. If your query is regarding prescriptions you can email into dispensary on weccg.f81131-dispensary@nhs.net. If your query is an admin one you can also email in on WECCG.f81131-reception@nhs.net. Thank you for understanding during these busy times.
COVID Scam
There have been a number of reports in the press about scammers trying to exploit fears about Covid-19 to extort money or steal bank details or other information.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge on the NHS and is only available through your GP or authorised centres. We will never ask for:
- your bank account or card details
- your pin or banking password
- copies of personal documents to prove your eligibility for a vaccine, such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips
If you get a suspicious email or phone call, Report It
COVID Vaccines - for information please see p3 in Further Information Section
Repeat Medication - please don't telephone the surgery to order repeat medication. The Prescriptions tab at the top of the website has the details of how to order your repeat medication.
Face Coverings: In order to help keep patients and staff safe Thaxted Surgery asks that anyone coming into the surgery wears a face covering over their nose and mouth - this does not have to be a mask, a scarf or bandana can also be worn.
Attending the Surgery: Please only come into the surgery to attend a booked appointment or to collect medication, once you have been advised that it is ready. For all other enquiries please phone first.
In order to limit the number of people in the surgery at any one time and to maintain safe social distancing could all visitors to the surgery come alone if possible rather than accompanied by friends or family. Thank you
Please see below a link to a template for a medical certificate for patients who are currently self-isolating. There is no need to contact the surgery - please download and complete as required.
Medical Certificate for Covid-19
Where to get Help and Support.
The Council for Voluntary Services (CVSU) and UDC has set up a dedicated service to identify those in need and to co-ordinate the volunteer help to support them. If you need help or wish to offer your services, please contact CVSU:
communityresponse@uttlesford.gov.uk or tel: 03333 408 2118 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday)
Corona Virus.
Help us keep our more vulnerable patients safe, and our staff well so that they can continue to provide a service in Thaxted.
From Monday March 23rd, NHS instructs that only patients who have booked appointments should proceed beyond the entrance lobby. Call us. Don't drop in.
Allow 5 days from ordering for medication collection, and call first to check it is ready. When you arrive to collect, please give your name to the staff member at the door who may ask you to return in 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy we are.
This is hard for all of us, and we are diverting as many staff as possible to phones and medication collection, but please bear with us. Keeping our most vulnerable patients safe when they need to see a doctor or nurse has to be our priority.
If you have a new but persistent cough OR fever OR loss of/ change in smell or taste please do NOT come into Thaxted Surgery. Check https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19. and if it deteriorates ring 111.
Testing for Coronavirus
Testing is now open to any member of the public with COVID-19 symptoms by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119 to book a test.
For general information on Corona Virus see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/