Important

Covid-19 Vaccination Information

Vaccination Programme Update:

Covid-19 vaccinations clinics for our patients are being run from Musgrove Park Surgery. If you are housebound and have not yet been vaccinated please contact the practice to discuss.  Anyone requiring a second dose vaccination who is housebound will be contacted by the Practice next week.

The practice was recently asked to move the booking of Covid vaccinations to the National Booking Service. Any patient wishing to book a first or second Covid vaccination should now telephone 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/book-coronavirus-vaccination. If you would prefer to be vaccinated at our centre please request or select Ashford Stour PCN.  Please note a large number of second dose Astra Zeneca appointments will be released on the National Booking Service for our Centre on Monday 17^th May.

If you have had your first vaccination more than 11 weeks ago and have not been invited for your second dose please contact the national booking service as above.

If you have received and accepted an invitation for a Covid-19 vaccine we would strongly encourage you to prioritise coming to the appointment. If for unavoidable reasons you cannot make your appointment please call 119 to cancel so that someone else can utilise the appointment.

We would ask that anyone who does not have their own transport tries to arrange a lift with a friend or relative.

Our phone lines are very busy; please help us to keep lines free for people needing to make appointments for other health matters. 

We are receiving a lot of enquiries regarding second doses. Please can we reassure you that we have a system in place which will notify us when your second vaccine is due and there is no need to contact the Practice. 

Please remember, once vaccinated you should continue to follow social distancing rules and any government guidance on restrictions. 

Thank you for your continued support and understanding in these difficult times. Our teams are working extremely hard to quickly vaccinate as many people as possible.

Coronavirus Vaccination Information:

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

Please click here for the latest Government Guidance on Coronavirus

FAQs – related to incidence of PE/DVT (blood clots)

Why is it in the news?

There have been a small number of cases of DVT/PE – blood clots in legs or lungs in patients who have had the Oxford AZ vaccine. It is important to remember that nearly 20 million doses of Oxford AZ vaccine have been safely given all over the world.

Should you be getting the vaccine if you are booked to get your Oxford AZ jab?

YES. Everyone who is offered a covid vaccine should take the vaccine as planned.

Should I insist on getting Pfizer vaccine instead?

• NO. We have no control over the supply chain and insisting on Pfizer is likely to delay your vaccination putting you and your loved ones at much higher risk of Covid and it’s complications. (2)

Should I avoid vaccination altogether due to risk of blood clots?

• NO. You should get your Covid vaccine when offered. Getting Coronavirus infection itself increases your risk of getting DVT or PE (blood clots). Studies have shown that up to 20-30% (or more when admitted to ICU) of critically ill Covid patients develop DVT or PE. (1)

Overwhelming numbers of experienced doctors, research scientists, WHO (World Health Organization), MHRA UK (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), EMA (European Medicines Agency) have all advised that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is safe to use in all groups of patients. (11, 12)

There is extremely good evidence that the Oxford AZ vaccine reduces the risk of catching Covid infection, minimises the risk of hospitalisation with Covid illness while also reducing the risk of spreading Covid infection to other people. 

It is important to have your Covid vaccines when you are sent an invitation to book your appointment. It is safe and extremely important tht you have either the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine when offered.

Please click here for the latest Government Guidance: COVID-19 Vaccination and Blood Clotting

Welcome to The Kingsnorth Medical Practice

Kingsnorth Medical Practice Mission Statement:

"To deliver high quality Primary Care Services to our patients closer to home"

Improved Access Service

Statement of Purpose 

The doctors and staff at The Kingsnorth Medical Practice in Ashford, Kent are proud to offer the highest standard of patient-centred healthcare.  We run many clinics for the management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes and offer a wide variety of other medical services including antenatal and postnatal care, minor surgery, childhood vaccinations and well-person check-ups.

In addition to everything you need to know about the practice you will also find a wealth of health-related information in the menu on the right hand side. Please have a look around and do send us some feedback if you like.

Patient Participation Group

The Patient Participation (PPG) meets regularly and works hard to bring the patient's viewpoint to the notice of Practice Staff. Find out more

Disabled access

Kingsnorth Medical Practice has been designed with appropriate access, toilet facilities and parking. Should you require any further help and assistance please ask one of our Receptionists.

Extra appointments available at GP practices in Ashford

Evening, weekend and bank holiday appointments are available with a range of Primary Care health professionals in Ashford. 

This is part of a national drive to improve access to Primary Care services and give people the opportunity to have an appointment at a time that suits them. 

These extra appointments, alongside existing services, will allow patients to pre-book routine appointments with healthcare professionals between 8am and 8pm each weekday as well as appointments on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

Appointments will be provided from practices in different locations within Ashford, not necessarily at the patient's own surgery, but the health professionals treating them will, with their consent, be able to see their full medical records. 

Anyone needing to make an appointment should contact their GP practice in the first instance. 

Trained reception staff will know when appointments are available and with which healthcare professional.  They will be able to book an appointment at either the patients’ own surgery or one of the other practices providing appointments within Ashford.   Patients should advise the receptionist if they particularly want an evening or weekend appointment. 

Please note, these extra appointments will be available for pre-booked care.  It is important to remember that anyone who needs medical assistance when their practice is closed should continue to dial NHS 111. 

We would welcome feedback on this new service – please either complete a Family and Friends Test questionnaire at the practice when attending for your appointment or alternatively email the CCG patient experience team on nelcsu.engagement@nhs.net