May Bank Holidays - 6th and 27th May

The surgery will be closed for the May Bank Holidays on 6th and 27th May.  If you require a doctor in an emergency, please telephone NHS 111 (dial 111).

Covid Spring Boosters 2024:

We are offering Covid Spring Boosters to our patients aged over 75 years, immunosuppressed patients and the housebound.  

A drop-in clinic is planned for Saturday 27^th April for patients born in 1935 to 1949.  However, if there is more than one person in the household aged 75 years and over, you are welcome to attend together on 27^th April.

If you were born in 1934 or before – 90 years and over, you will be contacted and booked into a clinic on Saturday 11^th May 2024. 

If you are below the age of 75 years and are eligible for vaccination due to immunosuppression, we will be in contact with you shortly.  Please ensure that we have your mobile number and permission to text you, as you will be sent a link to book an appointment.

If you have any queries please email enquiries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net

New Telephone System - new menu when contacting the surgery:

Option 1 – Appointments. 

Option 2 – Home Visits.

Option 3 – Dispensary (see opening hours)

Option 4 – Test results (open 1500-1830hrs Monday to Friday).

Option 5 – Referrals (line open 1100-1300hrs Monday to Friday).

Option 6 – All other Enquiries.  

The telephone system update seems to have gone smoothly and the new facilities, including the call-back function for when we are busy, have really improved our telephone system.

NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM - Wednesday 13th March 2024

A new telephone system is due to installed on Wednesday 13^th March.

Our telephone number will not change.

Continue to use 01736 710505 as usual.

There will be a new menu to choose from, to direct your call to the right department or team, so please listen carefully to all the options before making your selection; the numbers are likely to be different.

You will notice some improvements in the queuing system, including a ring-back function if our lines are busy.

The new system will have increased functions in linking calls automatically to patient records in our computer system, which will aid communication and increase efficiency.

We hope to keep disruption to service as minimal as possible, but this is a big change for us to manage and we hope you will bear with us.

We will be providing a full explanation of the new system on our website in due course: www.marazionsurgery.com

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Mrs K Burge, Practice Manager, Marazion Surgery

Easter Opening Hours

Marazion Surgery will be closed for the Bank Holidays on Friday 29th March and Monday 1st April 2024.  If you need to contact a doctor in an emergency please ring NHS 111.

Suicide Prevention - Monday 22nd April 2024

MMR - Know your status

Health & Wellbeing Coaching Service

Patient Participation Group - Keep an eye on the new section about the group and what we are planning and to read copies of the Minutes!

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£125.62 raised in the Meningitis Now collecting pot in reception.

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Mrs Jackie Brown - Practice Manager - Retires 29th November 2023

We bid farewell to Jackie, who has retired from Marazion Surgery after 31 years as the Practice Manager and 49 years of dedicated service to the National Health Service.

Jackie, from everyone at the Practice, past and present, staff and patients, thank you for all you have done for us.  We wish you a happy and healthy retirement.

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RCGP's Green Impact for Health Toolkit and Awards

Green Impact 2023 Award Certificate Marazion Surgery.pdf

Marazion Surgery has been working towards the Royal College of General Practitioner’s Green Impact for Health Award and we are pleased to have achieved the Bronze Award in 2023.  We will continue to work towards Silver and then Gold in the future.

 Green Impact for Health is delivered by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) and general practice volunteers led by Terry Kemple (Past President RCGP, and the current RCGP representative for Sustainability, Climate Change and Green issues). The programme is designed to provide practical advice and tips to general practices across the UK, that want to improve their sustainability.

This toolkit helps General Practices in the UK make better decisions in this climate and ecological emergency. The NHS is responsible for 4-5% of the UK’s carbon footprint. This toolkit can help general practice improve sustainability, reduce harmful impact on planetary health, adapt to the risks of climate change and reduce practice expenses. The toolkit focuses on all areas of sustainability and answers the question – ‘What can you do in your practice?’

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You can self-refer to Physiotherapy

https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/physiotherapy

Please see details on the link above.

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Flu & Covid Vaccinations for 2023-2024 - Please see our Home Page for details.

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On-line access to your GP Records:

Patients with online accounts with the NHS App will be able to read new entries, including free text, in their health record. This change only applies to future (prospective) record entries and not historic data.  Follow the links below for instructions on how to register for the NHS App and more information about online access:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/getting-started-with-the-nhs-app/

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app/nhs-app-guidance-for-gp-practices/guidance-on-nhs-app-features/online-access-to-gp-health-records 

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Artwork presented to Dr Robbins by patient for new consulting room

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Wave Project - free places available!

Please see their website https://www.waveproject.co.uk/project-locations/cornwall/  or contact us for a referral.

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On Holiday in Cornwall?

https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/help-us/holiday/

Need health advice whilst on holiday in Cornwall?

Anyone who is visiting Cornwall is asked to call their own GP, and not the one closest to where they’re staying, if they need non-urgent advice.  If your usual doctor recommends that you are seen and examined, you can contact us for an appointment, or contact NHS 111.

For people who need non-urgent care when their own GP is not open, and don’t think they can wait, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111, at any time day or night.

Please do not turn up at a minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre without contacting 111 first. If, after contacting 111, you need to go to a hospital, you will be given an arrival time, which will help everyone continue to follow government guidance, maintain distance and keep people safe while COVID continues to circulate.

Anyone with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries should dial 999.

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Diabetes Support Group

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Hope Programme for Hip and Knee Replacement

Saturday 1st July 0800-1200hrs

To help with the pressures on the NHS over the weekend, the surgery will be providing a very limited amount of extra URGENT appointments.  These will be available on Saturday 1st July between 0800-1200hrs.  You will  have to turn up at the Practice and wait to be seen.  These are for patients registered with Marazion Surgery and for URGENT on the day matters only.  They are not for routine matters and they are limited in number.  Once they are gone, patients will be directed to NHS111 as usual.  If you need to contact the surgery urgently by telephone on Saturday 1st July you can call 07377803559 to speak to a receptionist.  The dispensary will not be open. 

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Marazion Surgery will be CLOSED on Monday 1st, Monday 8th and Monday 29th May for the Bank Holidays - If you need to see a doctor in an emergency please telephone NHS 111

Easter Opening Hours

Marazion Surgery will be CLOSED on Friday 7^th April & Monday 10^th April for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend  

If you need to see a doctor in an emergency please telephone NHS 111

Road Closure

The main road through Marazion will be closed from 6th to 24th March.  You can get to the surgery by coming into Marazion from the Goldsithney end.  Please see links below:

https://www.maraziontowncouncil.gov.uk/2023/01/road-closures-marazion/#:~:text=A30%20St%20Erth%20roundabout%20to,to%20Thursday%2023%20February%202023.

Please be aware: potentially upsetting SCAM call or text

https://one.network/?tm=132228221

Scam - Be Careful!

A practice has been contacted by a patient who advised they had received a call from someone claiming to be from a Cornwall surgery and stating that his recent blood test confirmed he had stage 3 cancer. When asked for clarification on which surgery was calling, the caller gave a name that was out of place and then hung up.  On this occasion the patient knew it was an incorrect or scam call as they had not had a recent blood test. However, if this was to happen to another patient who had recently had a blood test, this could clearly have distressing consequences.

Community Gateway

The Community Gateway is a dedicated telephone line that is available for everyone. It provides access to a wide range of professional voluntary sector support and services.

You can access the Gateway by calling 01872 266383 or emailing gateway@ageukcornwall.org.uk to speak to trained staff and find local support that’s right for you.

In addition, staff members in the community will be available to offer one-to-one and group support. The Gateway is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

LOCAL PHARMACY OPENING HOURS OVER CHRISTMAS

https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/pharm-info/pharmacy-opening-hours/

Marazion Surgery Patient Participation Group

Who are we?
We are a group of patients who work together with staff, so that we can improve our GP practice for everyone.

What do we do?
• Provide feedback about practice services
• Make suggestions on how patients’ experiences can be improved
• Promote health and wellbeing information to patients

How can you contribute?
• Join our meetings
• Sign-up to our online patients’ group
• Share your suggestions and ideas with us

If you are interested in joining our PPG or would like more information about the group and what we do, we will be holding an informal get-together on 25th January at 6.00pm at the surgery, to chat over refreshments, and would welcome you to join us.

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend on 25th January, please email us at enquiries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net. 

Book an appointment with a GP online

Patients will shortly be able to book an appointment with a GP online.  You must put in a reason for the appointment.  You can either attend in person, or have a telephone consultation; please state your preference in the appointment reason text box.  Please be aware that it is impossible to examine you over the telephone, if you needed an examination you would have to make another appointment on another day; so please choose carefully when booking.  

What can I expect from a referral to social prescribing?

Open link for description of service.

Friends & Family Test - Patient Feedback about the surgery

Please see the link in the blue bar below for reviews and feedback from our patients.

Christmas Opening Hours 

OPEN as usual up to and including Friday 23^rd December

Monday 26^th December – CLOSED for Bank Holiday

Tuesday 27^th December – CLOSED for Bank Holiday

OPEN as usual on Wednesday 28^th December

OPEN as usual on Thursday 29^th December

OPEN as usual on Friday 30^th December

Monday 2^nd January – CLOSED for Bank Holiday

OPEN as usual from Tuesday 3^rd January 2023 onwards

If you need to contact a doctor in an emergency

please contact NHS111 – Dial ‘111’

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year

Flu & Covid Vaccinations Autumn 2022

We encourage all of our patients to have their flu vaccines here at Marazion Surgery this autumn, as we will be able to give flu & covid vaccines at the same time.

We will contact all eligible patients in due course, and you may have already had a text message. There is no need for you to ring the surgery about flu or covid vaccines at this time. We will be in touch again soon. Keep an eye on our website HOMEPAGE for regular updates.

NHS Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme: Autumn Schedule

Five million people are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.  Find out why you need to take it more seriously.  If you are eligible to take part there are courses running from teh end of September at Marazion Community Centre.  You can refer yourself by using the link below and selecting 'sign up' on the home page.

https://healthieryou.org.uk/understanding-diabetes/ 

We have received a lot of positive feedback about the new appointments system which started on 11th April.  Thank you all for your support during this transition!  (updated 24.05.22)

You can Help Us Help You, say local NHS

https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/2022/08/25/you-can-help-us-help-you-say-local-nhs/?mc_cid=06ea3bf4e4&mc_eid=78f3cfc484

Please don't spit on NHS Staff!

NHS leaders in Cornwall are pleading with the public to not abuse its staff after a patient spat at a member of staff when she asked him to wear a face mask in hospital.

Read more.....  https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/staff-abuse/?mc_cid=8f320ffa01&mc_eid=048a1ef19d 

Prostate Cancer 

Prostate cancer UK is launching an initiative that encourages men from at risk groups or with a positive family history to speak to their GP about prostate cancer.  For more information go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/should-i-have-psa-test/?mc_cid=dac526ed5b&mc_eid=048a1ef19d

PSA testing and prostate cancer leaflet

Preparing for a surge in January of COVID-19 cases

The NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is expecting to be very busy in January due to a predicted surge in Omicron cases, peaking in mid-January.
 
Even with very high vaccination uptake in our patients and staff, the spread of COVID-19 is already having a significant impact on NHS staff absences and this is likely to become worse. This will further impact on staffing and will cause more disruption to wider health and services.
 
Every additional person with COVID-19 impacts on the ability of the NHS to carry out other important work. For example, for every inpatient in hospital with COVID-19, on average more than 8 other operations are postponed.
 
To prepare for this surge in January and the impact on staffing, in West Cornwall our GP practices are:

• Reducing non-urgent work, for example routine check-ups, routine monitoring, minor surgery, sick notes

• Starting each consultation with a telephone call or online consultation first. We need to limit exposure for both patients and staff but anyone who needs to be seen face-to-face patient contact will be, where it’s safe to do

• Limiting the staff working in our buildings to reduce the risk of outbreaks, along with regular staff testing

• Strictly applying infection control precautions such as masks, ventilation, social distancing, and hand sanitiser

By ensuring these measures are in place, we will keep general practice open and therefore support our local hospitals, ambulances and out of hours services.
 
If we find that despite these measures some individual GP practices cannot open for a short period of time, then neighbouring GP practices in our area will support each other to ensure we can still ensure patients have access to GPs when it’s urgent in West Cornwall.
 
Our practice will review the suitability of these arrangements each week as we learn more about the impact of Omicron on NHS services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
 

How can you help?

• Please be patient and kind to our staff who are working under extreme pressure
• Get your COVID-19 booster vaccination as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Many people in intensive care units in Cornwall are young and unvaccinated. Please use https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ to book via the National Booking System.  We have lots of extra clinics available.
• Continue to follow national guidance about wearing face coverings, social distancing and any other restrictions that are in place

Friends and Family Test Results

• Poster July 2022 results
• Poster June 2022 results
• Poster May 2022 results
• Poster April 2022 results
• Poster March 2022 results
• Poster February 2022 results
• Poster January 2022 results

Marazion Community Champion Award for 2021

See our Home Page for details of our Covid-19 Booster Vaccination Programme

Covid Vaccination Boosters 

Please use https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ to book via the National Booking System.  We have lots of extra clinics available.  This is going to be a huge ask for our staff who are already working flat out so I ask you to bear with us.  Please be kind, we are doing our very best.  Thank you.  

See our Home Page!  Follow us on FaceBook for regular updates.

Are you recently bereaved and in need of some support?

Support Your Surgery so it can be there to support you.....

All our health services are busy right now, especially our ambulance service and the emergency department team at Truro hospital.

All our health services are busy right now, especially our ambulance service and the emergency department team at Truro hospital.

You can play your part in supporting us to care for people with serious and life-threatening illnesses.

Did you know you know you can get help and advice by calling 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk? You may not need to go and wait in our busy emergency department and could be directed to a minor injury unit which will be quicker and closer to home.

Only dial 999 for an ambulance in a genuine, life-threatening emergency, for example:

• Chest pain / breathing difficulties / heart attack
• Stroke
• Severe bleeding
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe burns or scalds
• Serious head injuries
• Major trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from height

If you have called for an ambulance, please do not ring again asking for a time of arrival. Only call again if:

• The patient’s condition worsens
• You no longer need our help

The call handlers must prioritise speaking to the most seriously injured and unwell patients.

If you don’t think it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency:

• Call your own GP. Even if you are in Cornwall on holiday, you could get a phone or video consultation with your doctor at home.
• Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to get expert advice and be signposted to where you can get the best and nearest care for your needs.
• Ask a pharmacist for advice – they’re experts in treating minor health issues like colds, urinary infections, stomach upsets, aches and pains.

For further information please visit NHS Kernow CCG at https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well/

FACEBOOK - follow us for regular updates and news!

Blood Test (Phlebotomy) Appointments

If you have been asked by a doctor or nurse to book an appointment for a blood test, it is now possible to book this online via 'Patient Access'. You will need to register for this service. Please contact enquiries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net with your name, date of birth, address, phone number and email address.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

28.07.21: Please find below the link to an EU website that helps patients get a covid certificate if they have had their covid jab abroad, as not available to view on NHS app. It gives them links depending on which EU country they had their jab in, to where and how they get the certificate from the appropriate country. https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en?fbclid=IwAR0Nl1hUiiABZxC5s_1mM96pCFsZoV3fkgoYlHf96tGnUOH384hAiXS7RQQ

21.07.21: COVID-19 Vaccination – How to get a 2^nd dose If it has been 8 weeks or more since your first COVID-19 vaccination, then you can book your second vaccine. It is important to have both doses to get the best possible protection against COVID-19. It will also reduce the risk of you passing COVID-19 to anyone else. By having both doses of the vaccine we can make sure that we provide the body with the best protection against the virus. To make an appointment for your second dose please call 119 or visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ You can also find out about which walk-in vaccination clinics offer 2nd doses here

17.05.21: If you had your first Astra Zeneca Covid vaccination at Marazion Surgery on or before 19th March please ring us (in the afternoon) to book an appointment to have your second vaccine. Patients who attended an alternative provider for their first vaccine should contact the same provider to arrange their second vaccine.

11.05.21: COVID vaccination certification. We are unable to issue this certificate at the practice. Please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad for further information. Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHSapp, which can be downloaded from https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277 for iPhone or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhs.online.nhsonline for android. Alternatively you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you.

06.05.21: If you had your first AstraZeneca covid vaccine on or before 25th February, your second vaccination appointment should now have been arranged. If you have not heard from us please get in touch. If you had your first vaccine on 26th February onwards we will contact you soon!

19.04.21: Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine – update for practice websites

New guidance has been issued for the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. This follows further reviews by the independent regulator, the MHRA, and the Commission for Human Medicines, of a very small number of people in the UK who have developed a rare blood-clotting condition since having the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations have emphasised that the risk of this condition is extremely small and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. They have recommended that: • Everyone who has had the AstraZeneca vaccine should still have a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, irrespective of age, unless they have had a blood clot or have an existing risk of thrombosis (blood clotting) • People aged 30 and over or who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease should still be offered the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits in protecting them against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition. • People aged 18-29 who do not have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where available. (This has been recommended as a precaution as people under 30 are at less risk from Covid-19 and not because they are considered to be at particular risk of developing the rare blood clot.) • People under 30 can still choose to have the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine if this will mean they can be protected more quickly and they have been made aware of the guidance. Please see the leaflet below that has been produced by Public Health England and the NHS to answer any questions you may have.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/977653/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf

12.04.21: We have now held two vaccine clinics for second doses of Pfizer; these were for anyone who had a Pfizer vaccine at Bodriggy Surgery in Hayle on or before 31st January. If you have not been called for your second Pfizer vaccine and had your first vaccine on or before 31st January at Bodriggy Surgery in Hayle please contact the surgery. We will have our next Pfizer clinic at the end of April, when we receive a further delivery.

12.04.21: We are starting to contact patients who are due their second Astra Zeneca vaccine, please bear with us! See our post below dated 29.03.21.

29.03.21: FOR PATIENTS WHO HAD THEIR FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE WITH US at Marazion Surgery or Bodriggy Surgery in Hayle.... We will be contacting patients in due course for their SECOND DOSES of the Covid-19 vaccine. If you have not been contacted by the surgery by 12 weeks after your first dose then please get in touch with the surgery. Please do not contact us before this time as we will be working through the lists of many patients. You can contact us by phoning the surgery on 01736710505 after 11am or email us on enquiries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net. If you had your first vaccine at Stithians or Truro you will need to return there for your second dose.

15.03.21: We are currently contacting patients in cohorts 8 and 9, patients aged 50-60 years; please ring the surgery after 11am. Anyone in cohorts 1-9 who have not been vaccinated should contact us without delay. If you do not wish to have a vaccination please let us know.

09.03.21: We are currently contacting patients in cohort 7, patients aged 60-65years; please ring the surgery after 11am. Anyone in cohorts 1-6 who have not been vaccinated should contact us without delay. If you do not wish to have a vaccination please let us know.

09.03.21 - Our male patients who have had Covid-19 and who are recovered may be interested in donating plasma - see the poster below. You can also contact the National Call Centre on 0300 123 2323 for more information. UPDATE 12.04.21: They have asked us to stop advertising this so we have shrunk the poster on our website!!

09.03.21: We are moving down through the cohort lists and continue calling patients in for vaccination (as vaccine delivery allows us). If you are in cohorts 1-6 and have not been contacted to come in for a vaccination please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment for this. If you are unsure about cohorts and have a question, please do not phone the surgery, we must keep the phones lines free for non-Covid vaccine related queries. If you have a question about the vaccine programme, please email us on enquries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net. We are also having trouble getting hold of some people to book them in for their appointments. We will try to call and send a text, so please make sure we have the correct mobile number for you on our records. Please email us your mobile number to make sure your records are up to date. enquiries.marazionsurgery@nhs.net is for non-urgent queries and response time can take up to a week so please be patient with us. Many thanks,

26.02.21: This weekend the staff from Marazion Surgery joined Stennack Surgery and Bodriggy Health Centre to collaboratively deliver covid vaccines in Hayle. We are still calling patients in by phone, texting links to book online appointments and sending letters. We are still booking cohort 6 (a large group to get through) and awaiting further instructions on more deliveries of vaccines. If you are aged 65 or over and have not been vaccinated yet, please get in touch with us at the surgery (please call after 11am).

22.02.21: We are continuing to call patients daily by telephone, working our way down through the lists. We are also sending text links for patients to book an appointment on line and patients are being called by NHS England to attend mass vaccination centres locally. We are currently calling in cohort 6 patients aged 16-69years with an underlying health condition, as per government guidelines (see below for details).

10.02.21: If you are aged 70 or older and have not been called or booked for your vaccination please phone the surgery to arrange this. Staff are currently contacting those on the clinically extremely vulnerable cohort 5 aged 65-69years.

04.02.21: We are still contacting patients in the first four cohorts to come in for their vaccinations. We have been vaccinating all week, including our housebound patients and will be vaccinating at the weekend. If you are aged 75 years or older and have not yet booked your vaccine please contact us now. Everyone else, we are working our way down the list of 70-74 year olds in cohort 4 and then will move onto the clinically extremely vulnerable. Thank you for continuing to bear with us.

29.01.21: We will be vaccinating patients this weekend and all of next week, including home visits for housebound people. We are working our way down the list in age order and I know that some of you will have been called to Stithians for your vaccine from NHE England, we do not get told/know who you are, so you may well get a phone call from us at the surgery as well. At the moment we are working on calling cohort 3- those aged 75-79 years of age. We are working as fast as the vaccine supply allows. This also means that the doctors and nurses (as they are the ones vaccinating) are only able to deal with urgent medical matters at present. Please be reassured that we are still here and open. We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us with our computer migration and the ongoing delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination program. As always your ongoing cooperation and support are appreciated.

25.01.21: Our reception team have been overwhelmed with people calling us today regarding coronavirus vaccine letters from NHS England. If you have received a letter from NHS England inviting you to a central vaccination centre and you have already had your Covid-19 Vaccine, you do NOT need to contact us. Please just ignore the letter. If you have had a letter and not had your Covid-19 vaccine you can either follow the instructions on the letter and attend a central vaccination centre or wait to be contacted by your GP Surgery. We need to keep our telephone lines free for patients with non-covid vaccine related queries. Many thanks,

24.01.21: More patients vaccinated this weekend - well done Team!

18.01.21: Over the weekend and this evening the three East Penwith Practices will have vaccinated over 1000 patients against Covid-19. We are working down the priority lists and although we are able to invite patients aged 70 and over, we have a large number of patients aged 80 and over to vaccinate first. We need our telephone lines to be kept clear for patients that need to contact us about non-Covid related issues and the doctors and nurses need to do telephone consultations. Please DO NOT ring the Practice and ask when you are going to be called. We are working as fast and as safely as we can. We will be in touch with you. We have vaccinated patients in local Nursing Homes who are cohort 1.

14.01.21: We have just had another delivery of Covid vaccines confirmed for next week 23rd/24th, our staff will now continue to work down the list and get more people booked in for their Covid jabs. The service will, for now, continue to be delivered at a central site in Hayle. All details will be given at the time of booking the appointment.

11.01.21: We have finally had confirmation a small amount of the Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered by NHS England next week. This will NOT be delivered to Marazion Surgery but to a central location and the vaccine cannot be moved to the Marazion Surgery for clinical reasons. We will be calling in our eldest patients first as advised by NHS England, those aged 80 and over in cohort 2. Full appointment details will be explained to you when we book your appointment on the telephone. Please do not contact Marazion Surgery asking about the vaccine, we are busy planning and organising to make sure that the vaccines are given to our patients in a safe and effective way. We have a large number of patients to get through and this will take some time, but please be assured that everyone is doing their very best to get to you ASAP and keep you safe.

Dispensary - notice to be given for repeat prescriptions:

Please could you give us AT LEAST THREE WORKING DAYS notice when putting in a request for a repeat prescription. This does not include weekends or bank holidays. It is extremely helpful to have longer notice if possible as this helps us to plan workload throughout the working week. Many thanks for your cooperation and support.

National Call and Recall Service for flu vaccinations – outbound telephone calls

The NHS Immunisation Management Service operates the National Call and Recall Service for the flu vaccination programme on behalf of NHS England and NHS Improvement. In addition to initial contact via letters and emails/SMS, it is making approximately 1.3 million follow-up telephone calls to eligible individuals reminding them to book a flu vaccination. This is a legitimate service and not a fraudulent organisation.

Social Prescribing

Do you need urgent NHS care in Cornwall? Then contact NHS 111

There’s a new system in Cornwall if you need urgent – but not emergency – care.

Just contact NHS 111 by phone or online at any time of day or night, to find out where you should go and when.

If needed, expert clinicians will arrange for you to be seen at the Emergency Department (ED) or at our range of other treatment units.

Please don’t just turn up, as you may be directed elsewhere or have to wait longer.

This is a new way of accessing urgent care in Cornwall, to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible during the pandemic

It will help the NHS manage the flow of patients when capacity in waiting rooms is much smaller than before, to maintain distancing and reduce the risk of infection

It means you will get the right treatment, more quickly - and probably closer to home as well

And if you’re a visitor to Cornwall, you don’t need to look up details of NHS services if you need urgent treatment – just phone 111 or go online at: 111.nhs.uk/

Arrangements have not changed for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Please continue to dial 999 as before.

Monitoring of blood pressure

If you have your own BP monitor at home, please contact the surgery with your blood pressure reading. We only need one reading every 12 months. If the reading is high you may be asked to provide a weeks’ worth of BP readings or be asked to wear a monitor for 24 hours.

Advice on patients wearing face coverings in practices

The surgery has a legal responsibility to protect staff and patients from risks associated with COVID-19. Wearing a face covering is an added precaution that may have some benefit in reducing the likelihood that a person with the infection passes it on. Evidence shows a face covering can help in reducing the spread of droplets; it stops them from leaving the mouth and nose area and reduces the size of area in which they spread. A medical grade clinical mask is not necessary. These need to be prioritised to clinical staff working in high risk areas. Instead, for patients who are visiting healthcare sites, a face covering is sufficient and there is national guidance for people to follow to make these at home with items they may already own.

If you have any concerns about Coronavirus please DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY

More information for patients can be found at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you are concerned that you may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell you what you should do based on your particular circumstances: These can be found at:

https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19

Booking appointments on-line using The Waiting Room has been temporarily suspended following advice from the NHS, due to Covid-19.

If you have a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough, you should self-isolate for 7 days. You do not need to contact NHS111 or the Surgery to tell them that you are staying at home. Do not come into the surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the NHS 111 on-line Coronavirus service if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, your condition gets worse or you do not get better after 7 days. For more information:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Requesting your Medication

We have been overwhelmed with prescription requests recently. We understand that people are worried but PLEASE do not stock pile medication, or indeed request it when you don't need it. We are not able to issue more than one month's supply of medication at a time.

Please register for our on-line service to request regular medications as this is the most efficient way for staff at this very busy time; the application form and further information can be found by clicking the link to The Waiting Room. The dispensary telephone line is very busy so please avoid using this unless absolutely necessary. Requests for medication can be dropped into the surgery; there is a post box outside by the back door or just inside the main doors. We are operating our dispensary through the window straight into the car park, to avoid people having to enter the surgery itself and keep risks to a minimum.

Choose Well Campaign

We are delighted to welcome Ben Mitchell from NHS Kernow to Marazion Surgery today. He is promoting Winter Well-Being (how to look after yourself this winter) and Choose Well (information on the most appropriate place to get the help, advice or treatment you need).

Patient Participation Group - please complete our patient survey

We would be very grateful to hear your views - please complete our Patient Participation Group patient survey; click on the link below. Many thanks.

Remember to update your Mobile Telephone Number!

Children often have their parents mobile telephone numbers on their records and as they get older this is not recommended due to confidentiality. If you are over the age of 11 years and you have your own mobile number that you would prefer us to use, we can add this information to your records. If you have any queries about this please speak to a member of staff.

Whenever you change your mobile number please remember to let us know so that we can update your records. It is your responsibility to ensure that our records are kept up to date so that we can contact you easily in an emergency. Thank you.

Move More Cornwall

The challenge: How do we get individuals and those at risk of falling more active and stronger? This isn’t new news. This is a long standing (pardon the pun) issue and one that is potentially only going to get worse as the population is getting older and less money is available.

Move More is a Cornwall Council Public Health funded program and delivered by iCareiMove Limited with partners including AGE UK Cornwall and Cornwall Foundation Partnership Trust.

The courses will be run with two Postural Stability Instructors (PSI’S) and a team of volunteers that will help support the program and those in attendance.

Who does this target? The courses are targeted towards those who fall or at risk of falling and those who may be unsteady on their feet or lack confidence. These individuals may use a walking stick or walking aid. They may need access to transport or help with costs. You might have a family member, neighbour or loved one that fits the bill.

Contact the Age UK Cornwall Helpline to start the conversation and we can support you and provide advice on what to do next.

01872 266388 email@ageukcornwall.org.uk

Dispensary Services

We are aware that patients are receiving letters from Pharmacy2U and although it states in small print 'your surgery has not given us any of your details for this letter and has not approved this communication', we wish to emphasise that this letter is NOT FROM US and we are not advertising or encouraging patients to use their service. Our Dispensary at Marazion Surgery offers a full prescribing and dispensing service to our patients, including delivery of medications. If you have any questions about this, or if you have any questions not answered on our website or in our Practice leaflet, please speak to one of our Dispensary staff.

We are in the TOP TEN of GP Practices in Cornwall

CORNWALL TOP 10 SURGERIES, ACCORDING TO FIGURES FROM THE 2018 GP PATIENT SURVEY - CORNWALL LIVE

Please see the link to the Cornwall Live article below https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/doctors-surgery-ratings-cornwall-released-1884900

Please Click here to access the Patient.info Website

Text Reminder Service

We have the facility to send you a text reminder for any booked appointment at the surgery. Please let us know your mobile number as this will save the NHS valuable lost time in missed appointments. This will also allow us to book FLU CLINICS further in advance.

Communication

We want to get better at communicating with our patients. We want to make sure you can read and understand the information we send you. If you find it hard to read our letters or if you need someone to support you at appointments, please let us know. We want to know if you need information in large print or easy read; use a British Sign Language interpreter or advocate; if we can support you to lip-read or use a hearing aid or communication tool. Please tell the receptionist when you arrive for your next appointment, or call us on 01736 710505.

Patient On-Line Services - The Waiting Room

This practice currently offers patients’ facilities to:

• Book, view, amend and cancel appointments online.
• View and order online repeat prescriptions for drugs, medicines or appliances.

This is possible by registering for ‘The Waiting Room’ on-line access. Currently 1,200 patients are signed up for this valuable and effective service! If you would like to register for ‘The Waiting Room’, please ask for more information at Reception or Dispensary.

Patients who are already registered for ‘The Waiting Room’ will shortly transfer to the updated version 2. (You do not need to do anything!) As part of ‘The Waiting Room Version 2’ patients may also request permission to view limited extracts of their medical records. There are obviously stringent controls on the release of this information and applications should be made in writing to the Practice Manager, Mrs J Brown.