COVID-19 INFORMATION

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Over 40s Booster Vaccinations

Please see our handy information sheet about booster vaccinations, taking place from Monday 22nd November 2021.

Ground-breaking COVID-19 antiviral treatment trial opens to recruitment in the East of England

Could you help find a way to reduce the number of people with COVID-19 having to go to hospital? Researchers have launched a first-of-its-kind study to test some new oral treatments which could help people with COVID-19 symptoms get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital.

You will be able to take part in your own home.

Have you had COVID-19 symptoms for less than 5 days?
Have you had a positive PCR test result?
Are you over 50 years of age, or do you have an underlying health condition and are aged between 18 and 49 years?

If you answered yes to all three questions, you could apply to join this trial and help find a new treatment to help people all over the world with COVID-19.

To find out more visit the PANORAMIC study website.

Local people urged to follow ‘hands, face, space’ in GP practices to keep patients and staff safe

Patients and visitors to GP practices across Suffolk and north east Essex are being reminded they must continue to wear face coverings and observe social distancing rules from 19 July when lockdown rules ease.

Health and care leaders say while restrictions are being eased in some public places, strict infection control measures need to be followed in healthcare settings. This will reduce the risk of vulnerable people from becoming infected and help prevent Covid outbreaks that could result in the temporary closure of a surgery.

In addition to wearing a face covering, patients and visitors must practice social distancing and are being urged to wash their hands regularly.

They have also explained that they will still need to restrict access to patients and visitors and to limit the number of people accompanying people to appointments.

Anyone who refuses to wear a face covering and is not medically exempt will be asked to do so by the GP practice.

Maggie Pacini, Consultant in Public Health at Essex County Council, said: “We ask for everyone’s support in keeping people safe. Although legal restrictions on social contact will be removed, people should remain cautious and continue to take sensible steps to protect themselves and those around them.

“If you are asked to continue wearing a face covering when you attend your GP surgery, please remember that this will benefit other patients and also vulnerable people who need to attend in-person. We have a duty to protect each other so that we can live safely with the virus and Keep Covid in Check.”

Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health at Suffolk County Council, said: “Covid-19 is still at a higher rate within our local communities than we would like. Until infection rates come down, every visitor increases the risk of infection either coming into a healthcare setting or going out with a visitor.

“If you or your loved one had a compromised immune system or were recovering after a serious operation, you would want our clinical colleagues to do everything they could to keep them safe. Please keep helping us so that we can help you and your loved ones.”

For more information, please visit the Suffolk and North East Essex COVID-19 Vaccination Service website.

Your GP surgery is unable offer you a certification of Covid vaccination

Your GP surgery is unable offer you a certification of Covid vaccination, a vaccination passport or a letter to prove you have been vaccinated against Covid- 19.

You can, however, find details of all your vaccinations on the NHS App

Proof of vaccination documents have not yet been developed and, as such, cannot be provided by your GP.

As soon as we have further information we will share it with you.

COVID-19 testing in Suffolk if you don't have symptoms

Covid-19 rapid testing is now available for those who are asymptomatic.

Book a test via this Suffolk County Council page.

Face Coverings

You must wear a face covering when attending the practice, you will not be allowed access to the surgery without one. We cannot provide one to you.

There may be some exceptions, discretion by staff:

young people
people with respiratory issues that prevent them from wearing a covering on their face

Symptoms advice poster

Please see this symptoms advice poster for up to date symptoms relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you any concerns please contact NHS 111 online or via phone.

Vulnerable Patients

If you feel you as though you are vulnerable, please register for support.

Local services and contact details for support

Please see our news article regarding social prescribing.

Advice for parents during coronavirus

Please see the posters below for information about childhood vaccinations during Coronavirus:

Coronavirus Vaccine Studies

The new coronavirus vaccine studies service has now been officially launched and is available for everyone to join.

For further information, please sign up to be contacted for coronavirus vaccine studies.

ATTENTION - THIS UPDATE INCLUDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND YOUR INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and your information

The ICO recognises the unprecedented challenges the NHS and other health professionals are facing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The ICO also recognise that 'Public bodies may require additional collection and sharing of personal data to protect against serious threats to public health.'

The Government have also taken action in respect of this and on 20th March 2020 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care issued a Notice under Regulation 3(4) of The Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 requiring organisations such as GP Practices to use your information to help GP Practices and other healthcare organisations to respond to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to look after your healthcare needs during this difficult time, we may urgently need to share your personal information, including medical records, with clinical and non-clinical staff who belong to organisations that are permitted to use your information and need to use it to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. This could (amongst other measures) consist of either treating you or a member of your family and enable us and other healthcare organisations to monitor the disease, assess risk and manage the spread of the disease.

Please be assured that we will only share information and health data that is necessary to meet yours and public healthcare needs.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has also stated that these measures are temporary and will expire on 31st March 2021 but will be reviewed in September 2020 and every six months thereafter. Any further extension will be communicated via an update to this Privacy Notice.

Please also note that the data protection and electronic communication laws do not stop us from sending public health messages to you, either by phone, text or email as these messages are not direct marketing.

It may also be necessary, where the latest technology allows us to do so, to use your information and health data to facilitate digital consultations and diagnoses and we will always do this with your security in mind.

If you are concerned about how your information is being used, please contact our DPO using the contact details provided in this Privacy Notice.

Vulnerable People During this Time

If you see or hear any of these signs, a child or adult may be at risk. Report it by calling Customer First on 0808 800 4005

Please see this information sheet relating to children and this information sheet relating to adults

Healthwatch Suffolk Survey

Healthwatch Suffolk are working with partners and people across local NHS and social care services to host a short survey about your experiences of services during the coronavirus pandemic. To take part please use this survey. For further infomation please see this Healthwatch article.

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