May 2024 

COVID-19 SPRING BOOSTER UPDATE:

Who is eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine

You or your child may be offered a spring COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are 75 years or over (you need to be 75 years old by 30 June 2024)
• are 6 months to 74 years old and have a weakened immune system
• live in a care home for older adults

For further information/guidance on who is eligible please see : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine/

Think Pharmacy First: 

The NHS have launched a new campaign to help sign post patients to the most appropriate service for their health queries, easing the burden on the NHS system

Did you know your pharmacist has a range of skills and knowledge that will help treat your minor ailments? Pharmacies are now also able to prescribe treatment for the following conditions;

These conditions are:

• Sinusitis - 12 years and over
• Sore throat - 5 years and over
• Acute Otitis Media - 1 to 17 years
• Infected insect bites - 1 year and over
• Impetigo - 1 year and over
• Shingles - 18 years and over
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women - 16 to 64

Dementia Action Week 2024                     

Dementia Action Week will run from the 13th May until the 19th May 2024. Our friends at the Alzheimer's Society will be running an information stand on Thursday the 16th May 2024 between 11:00am-12:30pm. This will be located in the patient waiting area and is open to patients, relatives, carers and the wider public. We look forward to seeing you!

BANK HOLIDAYS 6TH & 27TH MAY 2024

Please be aware the surgery is closed on Monday the 6th May 2024 and Monday the 27th May due to the bank holidays. If you require medical attention during this time please call NHS 111/ Attend the Urgent Treatment Centre or A&E/999 in an medical emergency.

Please make sure you order and collect your medication prior to us being closed, as some pharmacies are not open.

Please visit the NHS Website at www.nhs.uk and use the ‘Find a Pharmacy’ tool to check for any updates on the availability of local pharmacies over the Easter period. You can also scan the QR code below to take you directly to the webpage.

Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet, please ask a relative or friend to check for you.

We wish you had a happy bank holiday weekend !

APRIL 2024

MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICE APRIL 2024

The medical examiners office was introduced in April 2024 following a change in how practices conduct the death certification process. This has been implemented nationwide and is for all community services, including GP practices. 

What Happens now?

When we are notified of a death by relatives or carers, we gather information regarding the patient's death and other important information that is requested by the Medical Examiner Office.

Once we have this information we refer this to the Medical Examiner at Mid Essex Trust. The Medical Examiner will then review the patient's medical records. Any concerns or queries they have, they will let us know directly or contact the patient's NOK. This is to make sure that when completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), the document accurately reflects the details of the cause of death and that we don't miss any important information. The medical examiner service will then discuss the cause of death with the next of kin - you will be asked if it is what you expected and if you need any explanation. We encourage relatives to ask any questions or concerns they have at this stage. Once they have agreed with the cause of death, we can issue the medical certificate (MCCD) and this will be emailed to Essex County Council Registrar. We will do our best to notify you as soon as possible, however sometimes due to delays caused by external factors (bank holidays, staff sickness etc) there may be a delay in this information being passed on and the certificate being issued. If you have decided upon cremation, we will also make sure any paperwork for the crematorium is prepared asap. Any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to call the surgery or we can provide you with the Medical Examiner Office's number for you to contact them also.

For more information please see: MSE Medical Examiners for further information. For additional information regarding registering the death, please also see Essex County Council website.