Flu update

Downton Surgery – October  2020  - Seasonal Flu & COVID Update

With the increase of the COVID threat level, we must keep protecting each other.  It is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this autumn and winter.  Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19, this means getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever.

We have started our flu clinics for over 65s and other at risk patients and will be contacting you very shortly to give you an appointment, if you have a mobile phone look out for a message, or letters will be sent to those without this facility.  We are waiting for further information from NHS England regarding the additional over 50s vaccinations for 2020 and will update you as soon as we are able. You will notice our flu clinics are slightly different this year and we are very grateful to the Cuckoo Fair Committee and Parish Council for their help and the use of the equipment, enabling us to run the clinics throughout the week in a safe manner, with effective social distancing.

We have stayed open throughout COVID and we will continue to see patients face to face whenever necessary. It remains important that we all stay safe and continue to control the virus to save lives and we appreciate your help in doing this; we kindly ask that you only attend the surgery if invited to do so by a doctor or nurse; to collect a prescription; or for your flu vaccination.  Please continue to use telephone and online services whenever possible.  If you are attending in person please remember the Hands – Face – Space guidelines. We would like to do our bit to protect the planet and for those of you who do not already have several reusable wash and wear masks, you will soon see a mask tree outside the surgery, if anyone would like to make reusable masks for the surgery we will offer them to our patients for free or a voluntary donation which will support various local community schemes, such  as a carers café; a gardening project; fitness initiatives; etc. This will avoid thousands of masks going to landfill as you will be asked to wear one when attending the Surgery & Flu Clinics. If anyone would like to offer assistance and can volunteer we would be happy to hear from you – preferably by email for attention of our Social Prescriber, Carol Baker. Once again, do not hesitate to contact us  - we are always happy to hear from you and help where possible. Downton.surgery@nhs.net (please add subject: For example; FAO Social Prescriber / COVID Feedback / Flu Clinic Etc) Stay Safe, from all the team at Downton Surgery.