Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you’re experiencing domestic abuse

On 23rd April the Government is launching a national emergency alert which will send a notification and emit a loud noise even if mobile phones are on silent.

For victims of DA this could expose “hidden” phones.

There is a way to opt out, please watch the YouTube video below and share with any friends/family:

COVID Spring Booster Walk-In Clinics

The Stifford Clays Covid Vaccination Hub (Crammavill Street, RM16 2AP) is open from 17 April to 27 May 2023 to hold walk-in clinics for eligible people to get their COVID Spring Booster.

Eligible patients include people in the following groups –

• People aged 75 years and over before 30.06.2023 – ONLY
• Aged 5 years and over with immunosuppression

The Walk-In Clinic Opening times (No Appointment Needed) are –

Covid-19 Vaccination Information

Covid-19 vaccinations for our patients are being provided from Stifford Clays Medical Practice. There will be home visits for housebound patients and those in care homes.

We are inviting patients based on the National Priority List. Please be patient and wait to be contacted about when the vaccine is available for you.

You do not need to contact the surgery until you receive a letter, text or phone call about getting the Covid-19 vaccine. 

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

Find out more: For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Thurrock please visit: Essex COVID Vaccine Page

If you have questions about the vaccine please read the information below.

Why is the vaccine not available from our own surgery?
Across the country GPs are working in groups of practices to provide the Covid-19 vaccine. We understand the people would like to get the vaccine from their own practice but unfortunately this is not possible at this time. If this changes we will update this information.

Should I come for a vaccine if I have symptoms of Covid-19?
No. If you or someone in your immediate household has symptoms of the virus it is essential that you self-isolate and book a test. Your vaccine can be re-arranged after your self-isolation.

If I’ve had Covid-19 do I need the vaccines?
Yes, vaccination is as important for those who have had Covid-19 as it is for those who haven’t.

How soon after having Covid-19 can I have the vaccine?
It is recommended that people wait 4 weeks after recovering from Covid-19 or from being tested positive but not experiencing symptoms. We will rearrange invitations if you are in this situation when first invited to have the vaccine.

When will the second dose be given?
National guidance has changed, second doses will now be scheduled 8-12 weeks after first dose.

Can I pay for the vaccines privately?
No, all Covid-19 vaccines are being provided free by the NHS. If you see any offers to get the vaccine privately it will be a scam and you must not contact them.

As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Thurrock Health Centre will be closed on Monday 19 September 2022.

For information on local health services available while we are closed please click the link below -

Local health services on the day of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

PATIENT NOTICE - TELEPHONE NUMBER CHANGE

Dear Patients,

Please be aware that the surgery has changed it’s telephone number with immediate effect.

The new telephone number for the surgery is 01375 807130. The old number is no longer in service and calls to that number will not be answered.

Thank you for your co-operation and patience.

Kind regards,

Milton Road Surgery.

PATIENT NOTICE – VISITING YOUR GP SURGERY

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANY CHANGES TO MASK-WEARING GUIDANCE WILL NOT APPLY WHEN VISITING HEALTHCARE SERVICES. PLEASE CONTINUE TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHEN ENTERING THE SURGERY AS COVID-19 PROTECTIONS ARE STILL IN PLACE.

CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MASK WEARING AT THE SURGERY.

FREE MEN'S HEALTH CHECKS - PROSTATE AWARENESS SCREENING

This event has been set up by CHAPS to test the health of your prostate by way of a pain-free blood test.

Please click here for more information on the event and to book online.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO BOOK ONLINE PRIOR TO THE EVENT - IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS PLEASE CONTACT 01926 419959 TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

PATIENT NOTICE - NATIONAL LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND

PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO VIEW THE LOCKDOWN INFORMATION POSTER.

THIS POSTER GIVES DETAILS OF THE RULES THAT APPLY WHILE THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN IS IN EFFECT.

PATIENT NOTICE - FLU CLINICS

The Flu Season will soon be upon us and the team at Milton Road Surgery are working hard to prepare the clinics for patients to come in and have their flu jab done.

We are currently doing vaccinations for patients over 65 years old and welcome all patients in this age range to call the surgery and book their vaccination.

We are awaiting stock of the vaccinations for patients under 65 years of age and these are due to be delivered Late September/Early October. We will be sending out messages to all eligible patients once we receive them.

This year the flu vaccine is being offered at the surgery to:

• Adults 65 and over

• People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age). These conditions include the following –

  • Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma (that requires an inhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis

  • Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis

  • Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy

  • A learning disability

  • Diabetes

  • Problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

  • A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

  • Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)

• Pregnant women

• People living with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)

• Children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2020

• Frontline health or social care workers

We will be contacting eligible patients to book their appointments once we have confirmed clinic dates but if you have any questions, please contact the surgery.

Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

Extended Hours Appointments For The Grays Primary Care Network (PCN) Available From 1st July 2019

As the current lead provider of GP services in the Grays PCN locality, College Health Ltd will be offering Extended Hours Appointments for registered patients of the following Grays GP practices:

Chafford Hundred Practice
Dr Yadava Practice
Milton Road Surgery
Oddfellows Hall and St Clements Health Centres
Thurrock Health Centre

Extended Hours Appointments will offered from 1st July 2019 and be available:

Monday to Friday Mornings from 7:30am to 8:00am
Monday to Friday Evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Saturdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Appointments will be available with GPs, ANPs (Advanced Nurse Practitioners), Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants and will be delivered from -

Thurrock Health Centre,
55–57 High Street,
Grays,
RM17 6NB.

This is College Health's largest most centrally located surgery in the Grays PCN and has good modern facilities, good access and a friendly team.

To book an extended hours appointment and/or if you have any queries, please contact your surgery in the usual way either by telephone or in person.

Extended Hours Appointments can only be booked through your surgery and not directly at Thurrock Health Centre, unless you are a Thurrock Health Centre patient.

Measles Outbreak

Please be advised that there is currently an outbreak of measles in the locality. As such, we will need to take extra care/precaution in managing patients that may have symptoms of measles.

If you have any of the normal symptoms, please contact the surgery for an initial telephone consultation. If a face-to-face appointment is booked it may be set for a time of day when the surgery is less busy and, on arrival at the surgery, you may be asked to sit in a separate room/area of the surgery for the safety of the other patients in the waiting area.

Please do not be alarmed, this is to prevent further spreading of the disease.

Please visit the NHS.uk measles page for more information on the disease by clicking the link below –

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Thank you,

The Milton Road Surgery Team.

Thurrock Health Hubs

Can’t find the time to see a GP or nurse during normal surgery hours? Why not visit the Thurrock Health Hubs.

The health hubs are open every weekday evening from 7-9pm and on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9am - 12pm. Each hub offers GP and nurse appointments except for the Fobbing Hub which provides Physiotherapy appointments five days a week.

If you would like to attend a health hub, you must book an appointment with your usual GP surgery, there is no drop-in service.

A GP and nurse are available at each of the hubs at the following times:

The Health Hubs are located in:                                  

Corringham: Neera Medical Centre, Stanford-Le-Hope, SS17 0BY

Tilbury: Sai Medical Centre, 105 Calcutta Road, Tilbury, RM18 7QA

Grays: Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX

South Ockendon: Bluebells Surgery, Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, RM15 5LP

Purfleet: Purfleet Care Centre, Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SX

Fobbing (Head Office): Thurrock Health Hubs, 33 Fobbing Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 9BG

For more information, visit the hubs’ page on the Thurrock CCG website: http://thurrockccg.nhs.uk/your-health/primary-care/thurrock-health-hubs

MOMO Statement Feb 2019

What is the Momo challenge?

Momo is social media account that can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Whatsapp. When a person interacts with the account, they begin to receive pictures of Momo, a terrifying image of a bug-eyed toothless woman. Momo responds almost immediately with threatening messages and violent images to the user. “She” says that she knows personal things about the user and uses fear and threats to challenge the user.
Momo starts with simple challenges like waking up at odd hours of the night or overcoming a fear; then the challenges take on a very sinister turn, such as asking you to post photos or videos of cutting your arms or legs, jumping off of a roof, or other dangerous and risky activities.
As the challenges intensify, the last thing Momo pressures you to do is to commit suicide. If the user fails to accept or pass any of the challenges, Momo sends even more threatening and violent images and texts until the user is coerced into doing the challenge. If none of these pressuring tactics work, Momo threatens to visit you in person, or while you’re sleeping and curse you. This can be terrifying to young kids and teens. Others have reported that when they called Momo for a challenge, they heard screams in the background or other creepy noises.

Why are kids choosing to do this Challenge?

There are many reasons; first and foremost the Momo challenge preys on the vulnerability of our kids. The kids most at risk are those who suffer from depression, anxiety and low self esteem. They may be targeted by other kids to interact with the Momo account as a form of cyberbullying and they do not possess the coping skills to deal with the pressure–both from the challenges and from the bullies.
This challenge is especially dangerous because of the immaturity of children and teens; their brains are still actively developing and going through immense changes. They are much more susceptible to peer pressure and feel an intense desire to keep up with their peers or prove themselves. Teenagers are often curious and can feel as if they are unstoppable; they will engage in risky behavior for attention, to gain popularity, and just for the “thrill of it”.

What can you do?

• Talk to your kids about the Momo Challenge. Ask them if they know what it is. Have they heard of it? Have they tried it? If they don’t know about it, share the dangers associated with the challenge. Discuss a plan that includes what they can do if they receive a message with the Momo Challenge.

• Check your child’s phone/ Ipod/computer regularly. The Momo challenge is not the first challenge to encourage kids to participate in dangerous activities (the Slenderman and the Bluewhale challenge are similar challenges that were popular several years ago), and it will not be the last. If your child or teen is engaging in the Momo Challenge, or any other similar challenge, they will probably not volunteer that information to you. Remember you are your child’s greatest protector and you have every right to know the apps your child is using and have every right to check their electronic devices.

• Keep your relationship with your kids strong and solid. Spend time with them daily, allow them to talk with you about their interests, their friends and their fears. Keep the flow of communication open and consistent. Make sure they know and feel how much you love them.

Please click the link or picture below for an information poster from the National Online Safety website with more information on this subject - 

Momo Online Safety Guide For Parents

IF YOU HAVE ANY WORRIES OR CONCERNS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL THE SURGERY

Brand New Drug & Alcohol Carers Support Group

Where and When...

Hardie Park Café
Stanford-le-Hope
SS17 0PB

Meetings held on the last Tuesday every month from 1800 to 2000

Please join us...

• If someone you care for has a drug/alcohol dependency.

• To gain awareness of the nature of addiction.

• To learn how individual substances can impact on a persons physical/mental health, social/family life, work/relationships

• To learn coping strategies.

• To give and receive the support of peers.

This is a new group and members will determine how the group will develop going forward.

Hope to see you there.

A joint venture between Inclusion Vision (0300 303 1018) and Thurrock Carers Service (01375 659172)

Military Veterans - Priority Care

Are you a Military Veteran (Ex-Armed Forces)?

The UK Government has pledged to support Military Veterans with priority NHS care.

Who is defined as a veteran?

'A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces for at least one day in the regular or reservist forces.'

There are around 4.5m veterans in the UK.

When servicemen and women leave the armed forces, their healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS.

All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS hospital care for any condition as long as it's related to their service, regardless of whether or not they receive a war pension.

Veterans are encouraged to tell their GP about their veteran status in order to benefit from priority treatment if appropriate. Health related issues for veterans can manifest in a number of ways.

If you are a Military veteran, please let reception, your GP or nurse know so we can update your medical records.

January 2019 is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Ladies, is your smear test overdue? 1 in 4 women don't attend their smear test. Don’t fear the smear. They aren’t always easy, but they can save your life!

"Until recently, I thought it was just me anxious about smear tests - if anything the #SmearForSmear campaign this year reminded me - you're not alone, don't put it off"

Please be Proactive with your health. Speak to our reception team and book your smear now!

Our GP Services - CQC Inspection

The CQC have advised that they will be inspecting the Milton Road Surgery on 28/08/2018 where they will be looking at the things that matter to all the people who use our services. CQC will be looking to ensure the quality and safety of services meet regulatory compliance. In addition CQC are keen to assess how our services are delivered and the quality of care to our patients in specific population groups including:

• Older people
• People with long-term conditions
• Families, children and young people
• Working age people (including those recently retired and students)
• People whose circumstances make them vulnerable
• People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia)

We would welcome your views on how we are doing - what works well and what doesn't and if you fall into one of the above patient groups please do contact us and give us your feedback. If you would welcome the opportunity to join our Patient Group or speak with a member of the CQC team on the day then please do let me know,

Thank you

Sharon Hogarth

CQC REGISTERED MANAGER

Tuberculosis

If you have come into contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with TB and are worried that you may be infected, you should NOT COME INTO SURGERY.

If the contact was in the workplace then you should ask your employer for clarification of the situation in the first instance. Your employer should have made contact with Public Health England who will normally arrange for someone to visit the workplace to undertake tests of co-workers of the infected person.

if you are not satisfied with your employer's response or the contact was outside of the workplace then you can either contact Public Health England on 0300 303 8357 or via email using the following email address EastofEnglandHPT@phe.gov.uk or you can contact the specialist TB clinic at Basildon Hospital on 01702 372008.

Patient Satisfaction Survey 2018 - Results So Far

We are currently conducting a Patient Satisfaction Survey and welcome all patients to complete the survey online or on paper (available at reception).

Please click the link below to view the results so far -

Patient Satisfaction Survey 2018 (Results So Far)

Patient Notice - Learning Disabilities Week – Fun For Health Event

When and Where…

Tuesday June 11 2019
Bennett Lodge Care Home
Chadwell St Mary

1.30pm – 4.00pm

Come and join in the celebrations which include –

• Sports activities

• Fun for all races

• Big BBQ

• Giant Bubbles

• Make Your Own Healthy Smoothies

• Face Painting

• Mini Health Checks

Fancy being a doctor? Join in and get to check your support workers pulse and heart rate using real-life medical equipment!

Contact your GP practice TODAY to let us know you can come along and join the fun!

PATIENT NOTICE - HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THURROCK OVER THE MAY BANK HOLIDAY

Please be advised that Milton Road Surgery will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday (27th May 2019).

For information on Health Services available in Thurrock over the Bank Holiday Weekend please click on the information poster below.

PATIENT NOTICE - HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THURROCK OVER THE MAY BANK HOLIDAY

Please be advised that Milton Road Surgery will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday (6th May 2019).

For information on Health Services available in Thurrock over the Bank Holiday Weekend please click on the information poster below.