9.45 UPDATE - THIS SHOULD NOW BE RESOLVED

Dear patients

Unfortunately, there is a server outage currently affecting our telephone lines. This means that we are unable to answer any calls at the moment even you may be in the queue and hearing our 'hold' music. We apologise this for this but it is an issue which is beyond our control.  We are working to fix this as soon as possible.

Best wishes 

The Rookery

The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody.

As we do not directly manage the wait times for the hospitals we ask that you please look at the My Planned Care website for the current wait times. This can be found at https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk 

My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.

This site is updated weekly and can be viewed by anyone, which means you, your family or carer as well as your NHS team can all see the latest information. Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital.

We appreciate that long waits can cause worry and uncertainty about when you will eventually receive an appointment. However, the practice has no direct access to the hospital appointment lists.

Please only call the practice if your condition has genuinely deteriorated when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken in regard to your care.

Flu vaccination appointments will be available at the Practice from the beginning of October.  

You are eligible to be vaccinated if you fall into one of the following cohorts:

• aged 65 years and over
• under 65 years of age wand have a medical condition listed below, including children and babies over 6 months of age
  • a heart problem
  • a chest complaint or serious breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or some people with asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets)
  • a kidney disease
  • lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
  • liver disease
  • had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
  • diabetes
  • some neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
  • a learning disability
  • a problem with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed
• all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
• all children aged 2 and 3 years (provided they were aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August before flu vaccinations starts in the autumn)
• all children in primary school
• some secondary school-aged children (Years 7 to 11)
• everyone living in a residential or nursing home
• everyone who receives a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person
• all those living with someone who has lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
• all frontline health and social care workers 

Please call us on 01638 664338 to book an appointment. You will also be offered Covid booster if you are eligible and we encourage you to have this as well to protect yourself this winter.

Dear all

Many thanks to over a thousand of you who completed the survey this year - by far our biggest response ever. As always your comments and scores are very welcome and it is always illuminating to read the comments. Please find results and analysis of the survey via the link below:

Survey 2024 Analysis.pdf

Best wishes
Scott
Practice Manager

• Measles is extremely infectious and can be serious
• Make sure your children get two MMR vaccines on time; the first at 1 year of age and the second at 3 years, 4 months 
• If you or your children missed these vaccines, it's not too late. Ask for the free vaccine from your family doctor (GP) if you or your children aren't
  up-to-date 
• If you have symptoms of measles stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. STAY AWAY from GP surgeries and A&E departments -you could spread the illness to others 
• Symptoms include: high fever; sore red, watery eyes; coughing; aching and feeling generally unwell; a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the first symptoms 
• Please go to nhs.uk for more measles information

The Rookery is proud to be a RCGP acccredited Veteran Friendly Practice. This means that we abide by the Armed Forces Covenent which states the following: 

• The Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to healthcare as that received by any other UK citizen in the area they live.
• Family members should retain their place on any NHS waiting list, if moved around the UK due to the service person being posted.
• Veterans should receive priority treatment for a condition which relates to their service, subject to clinical need.
• Those injured in service should be cared for in a way that reflects the nation's moral obligation to them, by healthcare professionals who understand the Armed Forces culture.

This is recognised in the NHS Constitution, which states:

"The NHS will ensure that in line with the Armed Forces Covenant, those in the Armed Forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health services in the area they reside".

Please see below for the services you can access from your Community Pharmacy

Dear all

Please find info attached here regarding help and information being provided for patients living with Learning Disability / Autism.

Thanks

The Rookery

There are lots of different kinds of healthcare professionals working in your GP surgery, besides your GP. They each have distinct roles and specialist skills.

When you contact the surgery, you will be offered an appointment with the person who is best placed to help your needs.