The NHS in Sussex is calling for anyone who now due a second COVID-19 vaccination to book theirs this week.

Latest figures show that 116,628 of those who are eligible have had their spring or second booster, but 91,894 people are now eligible and are yet to come forward or be vaccinated.

With hundreds of appointments available this week, people are being urged to book theirs as soon as possible.

People are eligible for a spring or second booster if they are aged 75 and over or they are aged 12 years and over and have a weakened immune system.

People living in older people’s care homes are also eligible and specific visits are being planned in order to make sure these people get their vaccination.

In the majority of cases, people will receive the Moderna vaccination – one of the three approved vaccines in the UK widely used throughout the programme to date.

People can book an appointment from three months of the date of their original booster.

No invite is needed.

The NHS is also calling on family members and friends to make sure their loved ones have received their vaccine if they are due.

Call 119 from 8am to 8pm or use the National Booking Service website to book a local appointment.

Walk in sessions are also available every day.

For the latest list of walk in sessions and more information about the vaccination programme visit COVID-19 vaccinations – Sussex Health & Care Partnership (sussexhealthandcare.uk)

“It may seem that COVID-19 has gone away but it is still in our communities and we want to make sure our most vulnerable have this extra protection for the coming months.

“By making sure that you have a spring booster when you are due means that it will cover you over the summer and you have had it ahead of the autumn.”

We are receiving large volumes of calls every day and are trying to answer them as quickly as possible. We have a designated phone room based in Hurstpierpoint which takes calls for all of our sites, where we have 6-8 staff answering your calls from 8.30-6pm, our staff will ask you for some information regarding what the appointment is for in order to be able to make your appointment with the right clinician, if you do not wish to share this you can let them know it is private.

If you are on hold when you call us please be patient and wait while we try to answer your call.

There are alternate ways to contact us

• Book online via our website https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/online-services
• Send in an econsultation request https://midsussexhealthcare.webgp.com/
• Use the NHS app https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/
• Download the LIVI app and access video consultation with a NHS GP. https://www.livi.co.uk/
• If your query is about Covid 19 vaccination appointments you can contact us on our designated phone line   01273 837981  This line is answered between 8:30-18:00 however there is a delay due to demand.  If there is noone answering the phone, the answerphone will kick in and we will call patients back.

Hello

We are receiving lots of calls from patients asking us about their referrals. Once we send a referral off to the hospital or other provider we do not get notified of when the appointment will be and do not have any control over these bookings. If you want to find out how long the wait will be or other queries please contact the provider directly on the numbers attached to the link below.

https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/_common/getdocument/?id=99831

We know it is unsettling and difficult to not know when your appointment will be but we don't have any influence over appointments and don't have any special access to finding out. All we can do is ring the same numbers you can.

We are working with the local health authority (West Sussex CCG) to find ways to get you more information and ideally better access to clinics and appointments.

Thanks for your understanding.

MSHC.

Dear all,

We wanted to let you know that we will continue to require all visitors to our practice sites to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing to enable us to continue to protect our vulnerable patients.  If you are exempt from wearing a mask, you may be asked to wait outside until the clinician is ready to see you.

Thank you for your help in making sure the most vulnerable in our community are protected.

All the team at MSHC.

ABC Mask Guidance MSHC.pdf

We are getting lots of people asking about Covid vaccine exemption certificates.

We do not have the forms at the surgery, if you believe you are exempt you need to apply via 119 and they will send you a form to fill in, further information can be found here: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-medical-exemptions-proving-you-are-unable-to-get-vaccinated#if-youre-unable-to-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19-for-medical-reasons

Reasons for exemption:

The possible reasons for exemptions are limited. Examples that might be reasons for a medical exemption are:

• people receiving end of life care where vaccination is not in the person’s best interests
• people with learning disabilities or autistic individuals, or people with a combination of impairments where vaccination cannot be provided through reasonable adjustments
• a person with severe allergies to all currently available vaccines
• those who have had an adverse reaction to the first dose (for example, myocarditis)

We would like to make you aware of a Covid Passport scam that is currently active.  The scammers are sending a text message which looks as though it has been generated by NHS England, the text tells you to click on the link as you are entitled to a covid pass/passport.  It then asks for your bank details and requests a payment of £4.99.

COVID PASSPORSTS ARE ACCESSED THROUGH YOUR OWN NHS APP LOGIN, THEY ARE FREE - YOU SHOULD NEVER BE ASKED TO PAY FOR ONE.

The only info you need re Covid passports is here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-status

For access to links with additional travel information, please go to our Coronavirus page and click on the Covid Vaccine icon.

No one should ever charge you money to prove your COVID vaccine status.

P.S. you are all amazing for getting your vaccines done - one of the best vaccine uptake areas in the country (and therefore the world). Helping yourself helps us all.

Hello all.

We are in contact with quite a few patients now who are presenting to us with 'viral' symptoms: sore throats, headaches, runny nose and earaches most commonly.  If you have these symptoms and you also happen to have a cough, a high temperature (37.8c or more) or altered smell or taste then you still have to assume you might have COVID. 

You need to follow the 'blue advice' below: Self isolate and arrange a formal lab based PCR test. The home lateral flow tests you have are not good enough sadly.

You can still call us and if we need to, we will see you but you don't need to wait to contact us before arranging the PCR test and the earlier you get the test the less time you will have to self isolate.

Thank you for working with us on this.

All the team at MSHC

Please click here to see the guidance

Patient Online Smartphone Apps

Please see links below to SystmOnline for patients smartphones and tablets (one for Apple and one for Android).

Apple iPhones and iPads: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/developer/tpp/id711398513

For Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=px.app.systmonline&hl=en_GB

Logging into Systm Online for the first time

You should have been given a username and temporary password by the receptionist after they have activated your account. You will need to log in to your new account before midnight in order to set a new password.

In order to log into your account you will need to go to the web address on your letter and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the logo.

You will then be prompted to enter your username and password and should then be directed to update your password.

Should you have any problems logging in or forget your password at any time please bring photo ID to the reception desk and ask for a password reset.

As a practice we have elected to not offer NHS Health Checks for 40-74 year olds because of the lack of evidence of benefit, and the risks of detecting 'illness' that would not cause any harm. The recent Cochrane review of 14 trials (with 182,880 participants) demonstrates this clearly, and includes an excellent plain language summary.

Furthermore, we believe this to be a waste of public resources, not targeting the population who stand to benefit the most. Please read the Cochrane review link above for an explanation of the science behind this decision.