We would like to update you on urgent but hopefully short-term changes to the services provided by East Cornwall GP Practices during the COVID -19 vaccination programme from January 2021.
Some of you may have already read or heard that the first vaccination site to go live in East Cornwall is at Millennium House in Pensilva. The 9 GP practices in the East Cornwall Primary Care Network (PCN) are working together to offer vaccinations from Thursday 14th January. It is anticipated that more vaccination sites will go live in the very near future.
The Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has agreed 9 high priority groups (see the table below) and the Government has set an ambitious timetable to vaccinate the first 4 groups by 15th February.
| Priority Group | Risk Group |
|---|---|
| 1 | Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults |
| 2 | All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers |
| 3 | All those 75 years of age and over |
| 4 | All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (not including pregnant women and those under 16 years of age) |
| 5 | All those 65 years of age and over |
| 6 | Adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group |
| 7 | All those 60 years of age and over |
| 8 | All those 55 years of age and over |
| 9 | All those 50 years of age and over |
| 10 | Rest of the population |
They will be supported by the PCN Clinical Pharmacists, former NHS healthcare professionals and a pool of non-clinical volunteers to ensure the vaccine rollout is a success.
We appreciate that inevitably this will mean that some lower priority problems will not get actioned in their usual time frame, but please be patient.
We’ve changed the way we see you, but we’re still open
Thank you for continuing to support Rosedean Surgery; everyone who works here really does value and appreciate your patience during this busy and challenging time.
The pandemic has changed the way our Practice runs and we are focused on vaccinating our community’s most vulnerable residents against COVID-19. We’re talking to more people on the phone or by video link, but we want to reassure you that our doctors, nurses, and reception staff are still working to provide the care you need, just in a different way.
We have reduced the number of people coming into our surgery to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, and to keep everyone safe.
The safest way to contact the surgery is by phone (01579 343133) or using eConsult, a simple form on the Practice website. You can order prescriptions online by following the link on our website’s homepage.
You may be worried about something which a doctor or nurse can talk to you about on the telephone. Please talk to our receptionist, who is there to help. They’re not trying to be nosey, but they may be able to direct you to someone else who can help you, such as a pharmacist, who can treat minor conditions such as nappy rash, sticky eyes (conjunctivitis), skin rashes and conditions, and coughs and colds. We will invite you to the surgery to see a doctor or nurse in person if we think that’s best for you.
Your health and wellbeing remains our priority, and anyone who has a lump which has changed in size or the way it looks; bleeding from your bottom; or a cough which has lasted for more than three weeks and may not be COVID-19 should book an appointment to see one of our GPs. It may be nothing to worry about, but the sooner we talk to you, and get it looked at, the better.
We are still seeing people for routine cervical screening, newborn baby check-ups, and baby and children vaccinations, and you should book your appointment as soon as you receive your reminder letter.
Please visit www.nhs.ukfor guidance and information, or call NHS 111 if the Practice is closed. You can also use LIVI for an online consultation (details on our website) or consult with your local Pharmacy.
Thank you so much for supporting us, we are very grateful. We continue to be committed to care for you, whatever the nature of your problem.