Noticeboard

Telephones

With effect from Monday 26 October 2020, our telephone lines will be available between 08.00 and 18.00.  the practice will remain open until 18.30, Monday to Friday.

Covid 19 Vaccine

A trial is soon to be started at Synexus, Hexham General Hospital - please see our research page for more details if you are interested in taking part.

E-mail and e-Consult service

Please do not e-mail us directly with private or confidential medical information.  This is not a secure channel.  Please contact us via the e-Consult service instead. 

This is available via the online form found half way down the home page. Just click on the blue e-Consult box and follow the instructions.  This is a secure way of contacting us and the system will direct you appropriately.  If you need GP advice, you will receive a response the following working day and they will arrange any follow up or consultation that may be required.

Research project

If you'd like to take part in a research study about data sharing, please look at our Reseach page.

Face coverings and hand washing

In line with Government recommendations, if you are entering the surgery premises, please wear a face covering.  we also now have hand washing facilities at the entrance doors.  Please wash your hands when entering and leaving the building.

 

Patient Access Update

If you access our online services, Patient Access has started to offer private services through the portal.  These services are in no way endorsed by or connected to the practice.  patient access are also updating their security and shortly when you log in you will be asked to provide a 5 digit pin number.

Repeat medication

Pharmacies are taking longer to dispense medication due to supply issues.  Please allow 7 days before collecting your medication or check with the pharmacy.

Online booking

We have been advised not to offer online booking for face to face appointments for the time being.  Appointments are for telephone consultations only so please leave a contact number.  The GP or nurse will telephone you as close to the appointed time as possible.  However, they will not be able to call multiple times if they cannot speak to you.

 

 NATIONAL DATA OPT OUT

Information about the national data opt-out programme can be found at:

www.nhs.uk/your-data-matters or telephone 0300 303 5678

Mobile telephone numbers

Please make sure we have your up to date contact details.  We use mobile phone numbers to send appointment reminders and other appropriate messages.  If you provide us with a mobile telephone number we will assume you are happy to use this to contact you unless you tell us otherwise.

Carers

Please let us know if you are a carer so that we can refer you to Carers Northumberland for support, if you so wish.

Non NHS work 

This is not a priority for our team so it may take up to 3 weeks for us to provide insurance reports, to complete holiday cancellations forms etc. Please note there may be charges for these private services, so please ask.

 

Please also be aware that we cannot guarantee to turn around sick note requests within 48 hours, nor can we provide sick notes in advance.

Smoking and E-cigarettes

There is a blanket no smoking policy in the Primary Care Centre and Hospital site.  This extends also to e-cigrettes as there is no current evidence as to their efficacy or safety.

Online Booking and Medication Requests

To book appointments and order repeat medication 24 hours a day 7 days a week download an application form or please speak to one of our reception team.  for full details regarding security and consent please select item 4 in further information on the right of our home page

Application form for online access

Visitor Tansport for Wansbeck and North Tyneside

If a patient is transferred from Hexham General Hospital to Wansbeck or North Tyneside general hospitals for further treatment, a free daily shuttle car operates from Hexham to enable relatives to visit.  To book a place on this service, which leaves Hexham General Hospital at 1pm, contact 0344 811 8111 and ask for extension 5388.

 

Measles

Measles

General Information and FAQs

This information is from :

North East Public Health England Centre 2013

What is measles?

 Measles is a viral infection most commonly found in young children who have not been immunised. However, adults can also catch measles if they have not had it before or have not been immunised against it.

 It begins with fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (red, sore eyes).

 After a few days a red-brown spotty rash will appear. This starts on the face and upper neck, spreading down the upper body and then extends to the arms, hands, legs and feet.

 After about 5 days the rash starts to fade.

How serious is measles?

 Measles is an unpleasant illness and easily passed from one person to another.

 In some people it can cause complications, such as ear infection, chest infections and even pneumonia.

 In very rare cases some people who get measles can develop serious complications, which can be fatal.

How do you catch measles?

 The measles virus lives in the nose and throat of infected people.

 Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person, or through the air when he or she coughs or sneezes.

 A person with measles can infect other people from the day before they become unwell until four days after the rash appears.

What to do if you think you have caught measles?

 There is no specific treatment for measles, but the symptoms can be relieved by drinking lots of fluids to replace water lost through the fever. Paracetamol can be used to help reduce the fever if necessary.

 Because measles is so infectious, telephone your local GP Practice or Walk In Centre for advice and further information before attending. Anyone who is very unwell can attend A&E but on arrival must tell staff immediately they may have been in contact with measles.

 Limit your contacts with other people, particularly with:

- pregnant women

- infants under 12 months or children who have not had the MMR vaccine

- people who have weak immune systems

 If you have measles do not go to school or work for four days from when the rash first

appeared and inform your school or employer.

Can you prevent measles?

 Yes. Measles can be prevented by a highly effective vaccine. This is part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) childhood immunisation programme with a first dose at 12 months and a second dose at 3 years 4 months.

 MMR vaccine can be given to babies from 6 months of age when on-going exposure is likely within the family or nursery setting. If given before 12 months of age the two routine doses will still be required.

 The second dose can be given earlier if your child has been in contact with a case of measles or you are travelling to an area where measles is known to be circulating.

 We strongly recommend that everyone over 12 months of age has the MMR vaccine. It is never too late to receive it. If you are not sure whether you or your children need the MMR vaccine, please talk to your doctor, nurse or health visitor.

Can you tell if you’re protected against measles?

 People who have had measles in the past cannot get it again.

 People born before 1970 are likely to have been exposed to measles as a child and have natural immunity.

 People born after 1970 are less likely to have natural immunity and unless they have had two doses of MMR (or another vaccine containing measles) may be at risk of getting measles.

 People who have had two doses of MMR are very unlikely to get measles.

 It is quite safe to have extra doses of MMR, so if there is any doubt, it is better to have an extra dose than to risk not being fully protected.

What if you are pregnant?

 Measles in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage still birth or pre-term delivery.

MMR should not be given to pregnant women so pregnant women who are in contact with cases of measles should seek advice from their doctor.

What if you have a weak immune system?

 People with weak immune systems, such as those receiving treatment for cancer, who have had an organ transplant or who have other serious medical conditions, can become seriously ill if they catch measles. These people should seek medical advice from their GP if they suspect they have come into contact with a case of measles.

Where can I get more information about measles and the MMR vaccine?

 More information about measles is available at: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/measles/background.htm

 Or

from the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx



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