If you have received a Covid + result, and are having any issues or concerns with your symptoms and need support please follow the link on how to care for yourself when you have Covid. http://bit.ly/3pyV8l6
Or for recovery: https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk
Call 999 in an emergency.
Message to our patients – update on the COVID-19 booster programme
Following the Prime Ministers announcement, your local NHS and its partners are working extremely hard to roll out the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme to our communities.
All adults are eligible from Monday 13 December for a booster jab, 3 months after their second dose.
All GP surgeries are working hard to create as many vaccination appointments as possible, and all patients will be invited for their booster dose at the right time. Please bear with us. In order to vaccinate as many people as possible in the safest way, we are prioritising booked appointments – we will contact you.
If you want to see what other options are available, please use the National Booking System here or call 119:
- From 13 December for all those in their 30s and above
- From 15 December to everyone over the age of 18
For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination | Frimley Health and Care
Please follow the link to find a walk in centre or see posters re local services at Maidenhead Town Hall and Braywick
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
Who can get a COVID-19 booster vaccine
Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least 6 months ago.
This includes:
- all adults - those 18 and over
- people who live and work in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
- people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
- people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
People who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.
Updated 13.12.21 from the following link
Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
29/11/2021 - COVID VACCINATIONS. In light of today's news we need to ask you to be patient and wait for an invite to book your Covid Booster or 2nd Covid vaccination. Please do not call the surgery. It will take a few days for the legal paperwork to be updated that allows us to implement the new guidance. It will also take time for us to put on additional capacity at The Desborough Suite for the expected increased demand. Patients are asked to book when they receive a booking link rather than walk-in as pre-booked appointments will take priority and you may be turned away.
Covid-19 Vaccinations given overseas
Currently there is not a central mechanism for capturing details of overseas Covid vaccines, and only vaccines delivered in the UK can be accepted as evidence for UK Covid certification/ the NHS Covid Pass.
A technical solution to support the recording of vaccinations overseas in the NHS immunisation management service (NIMS) is in development, and NHS Digital will provide an update as soon as possible.
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COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 04-06-21
We are inviting patients to the Town Hall Vaccination Centre in line with the latest national announcements and 2nd vaccinations at around 10 weeks after the 1st dose - earlier where possible.
Vaccination appointments continue to be available via 119 and the NHS online booking site.
How to access your COVID-19 Vaccination status
You can access your COVID-19 Vaccination status through the NHS App from 17th May. You can access the free NHS app through mobile devices such as smartphone or by tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will be shown within the NHS App. We recommend that you register with the app before booking international travel
If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires evidence of your COVID-19 Vaccination status, you can call the NHS Helpline on 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after completion of the vaccination course and it is expected that the letter will then take 5 days to reach you.
You do not need to contact your GP surgery to access the app
Please do not contact the surgery about proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 results - these must come from NHS 119
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 17-05-21
We have invited all those in the JCVI priority Groups up to and including Group 10 and patients aged 36-39 are being invited as quickly as the vaccine supply permits.
Following the latest guidance on bringing forward 2nd doses to 8 weeks - we are in the process of adjusting clinics and capacity. We will invite patients as soon as the clinics are in place.
If it has been 11 weeks since your first vaccination and you do not have a date for your 2nd vaccine - please contact us. If it is 8 to 10 weeks or less please wait for us to contact you.
Vaccinations continue to be available via 119 and the NHS online booking site.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 07-04-21
We have invited all those in the JCVI priority Groups up to and including Group 9 and are beginning to invite Group 10 (Age 40 to 49) in instalments
We have been given new guidance on vaccinating the household contacts of patients with Severe Immunosuppression and are putting a process in place to identify these patients and contact them in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience during this time.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 28-03-21
We have invited all those in the JCVI priority Groups up to and including Group 9 but await NHS England authorisation to proceed further with Group 10 (Age 40 to 49).
On the 26th March we invited patients on the Asthma Register, patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 to 40 and those on the pre Diabetic register who had not already been invited due to other risk factors. Please note the Asthma Register only includes those currently having treatment and reviews and NOT all those who have ever had a diagnosis of asthma.
The surgery will invite patients who had their 1st dose at the Town Hall to have their 2nd dose there too. The invitation will come about a week before the clinic date., which should be a few days before the due date at 12-weeks to ensure they are done with a few days to spare. Invitations will be by text or a direct call from the surgery.
If you have become Housebound since attending the Town Hall please let us know so we can arrange a home visit vaccination in the correct time frame.
If you had your first dose at other sites, you will either already have an appointment booked for your 2nd dose or will be contacted by the site who gave you your 1st vaccination
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 16-03-21
As part of the Maidenhead Network (PCN) delivering the local vaccination service at Maidenhead Town Hall we are inviting the priority groups in sync across the practices in our network.
We have contacted all those in the JCVI priority Groups up to and including Group 9 and are about to invite those aged 45 to 49.
The vaccination centre has been expanded to allow more people to attend per session whilst maintaining social distancing.
Patients who had their first dose before Christmas have had their 2nd.
The surgery will invite patients who had their 1st dose at the Town Hall to have their 2nd dose there too. The invitation should come about a week before the clinic date., which should be a few days before the due date at 12-weeks to ensure they are done with a few days to spare. Invitations will be by text or a direct call from the surgery for those without mobile numbers on the system.
Patients who have become Housebound since attending the Town Hall should let us know so we can arrange a home visit in the correct time frame.
Patients who had their first dose at other sites will either already have an appointment booked for their 2nd dose or will be contacted by the site who gave their 1st vaccination
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 03-03-21
As part of the Maidenhead Network (PCN) delivering the local vaccination service at Maidenhead Town Hall we are inviting the priority groups in sync across the practices in our network.
We have contacted all those in the JCVI priority Group 6 (16 to 64 with health conditions putting them at greater risk of severe illness from Covid-19) and are inviting Group 7 (60 to 64) though this age group will also be getting NHS letters directing them to the national booking service for the mass sites See also link below.
We will start booking 2nd dose appointments for those vaccinated before Christmas shortly, with appointments commencing 10th March. Please wait to be contacted. Thank you.
National NHS booking service
You can only use this service if any of the following apply:
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 24-02-21
I am a carer – when will I get vaccinated?
We are waiting for the national guidance in regards to the vaccination of carers. In the meantime, please do not contact the NHS. We expect that the vaccination programme will continue in a phased approach and more information will be made available as soon as we have it. To read more from Carers UK in regards to the Covid-19 vaccination, please click here
For answers to your most frequently asked questions in regards to the vaccine programme, please click here
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 23-02-21
We began vaccinating Group 5 (aged 65 to 69), were temporarily diverted to booking Group 6 - Age 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions but have now been instructed to stop Group 6 and revert to Group 5.
We will contact you by text or by landline if you have no mobile when we have appointments available.
Please note if your 1st vaccine was done at the Town Hall or by our housebound team you will be contacted by the surgery when we are ready to book your 2nd dose vaccination. This is likely to be 11 or 12 weeks after the 1st dose vaccine.
A mop up round for housebound patients who were unable to be vaccinated in the earlier rounds will take place soon. Date to be confirmed. We are waiting for a date for the housebound in the younger age groups also.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 09-02-21
We have made attempts to contact all patients in Group 4 (age 70 to 74 and those extremely vulnerable/patients who were shielding) for vaccination.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 04-02-21
Healthcare workers who work in Bucks need to follow a different process to obtain vaccination than the one for those in Berkshire (who should see the 19/01/21 update)
Please see the document below
Healthcare staff working in Bucks
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 03-02-21
We have attempted to make contact with all Group 3 (aged 75-79) and have started to invite Group 4 (age 70 to 74 and those extremely vulnerable/patients who were shielding) It will take several rounds of invitations to cover all of Group 4.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 27-01-21
Further appointments are on for 2nd & 3rd February. We are still working through Group 3 (aged 75-79) and will need 1 or 2 more dates to complete this group.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 26-01-21
There are scam emails going round for Covid-19 vaccination. One of our patients has had one and so have patients at other surgeries. Please do not click on these emails. Be very careful.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 25-01-21
The surgery has invited around half of Group 3 those aged 75 to 79 for appointments at the Town Hall 28th to 31st January. We will invite more when we have confirmation of a delivery date. Letters may also come from NHS England for other sites as mentioned below
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 20-01-21
NHS England letters
Being sent to patients within a 45 minute drive of mass centres to patients aged 80 and over, and starting to come out to those aged 75 to 79 and 70 to 74. Such sites are Salt Hill in Slough and Marlow Pharmacy. We continue to invite patients to the Maidenhead service in priority order. Please see poster below for explanation of process.
3 Ways to obtain vaccination
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 19-01-21
Frontline Health and Social Care Staff
The East Berkshire CCG have provided us with information on the process by which Frontline Health and Social Care staff can obtain a Covid-19 Vaccination. Please see document below.
Health and Social Care Staff Booking Information
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 18-01-21
NHS England letters - As per announcement on BBC
Invitation letters from NHS England are being sent out to patients in Priority Groups 2, 3 and 4 with links or contact details to book into mass vaccination sites such as Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough or other sites. If patients wish to do this then follow the instructions on the letter to book your vaccination. Alternatively you can wait for an invitation to the Maidenhead Town Hall run by the local surgeries.
Please do not ring the surgery as we cannot book you into the NHS Mass Vaccination Centres
Please see the attached for the NHS definition of Priority Groups
Vaccine Priority Groups
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 15-01-21
NHS England letters - Some patients may have received letters from NHS England with links or contact details to book into larger vaccination sites or pharmacies. If patients wish to do this then follow the instructions on the letter. The surgery has no information about or any access to any other venues apart from the Town Hall where our team is vaccinating.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 14-01-21
Housebound Patients - The Maidenhead Team currently running the service at the Town Hall, will be vaccinating housebound patients on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th January. This is being organised geographically for maximum efficiency and so it may not be a member of your own surgery who attends. The vaccinator will have been provided with health information by your own surgery beforehand so would be aware of any medical issues.
Group 2 Round 4 - Texts were sent this morning and those without mobile phone numbers will be contacted shortly for first dose appointments for Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd January. This is the final round of Group 2.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 11-01-21
Housebound Patients - Due to issues around storage and transport of open vaccine we are not currently able to come out to housebound patients but plans for reaching this group of patients are being worked on and we will contact patients when we know more.
Health and Social Care workers who are classed as Priority Group 2 are being vaccinated at the Hospital and/or Mass Vaccination Centres and access to these appointments is via the Employer. We will try to find more information about this process and the process for private sector or self employed practitioners and put an update here.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 09-01-21
Group 2 Round 3 - Texts were sent this morning and those without mobile phone numbers will be contacted next week for first dose appointments for Tuesday 12th to Thurs 14th January.
2nd dose appointments originally for those dates are cancelled but will be rescheduled and should take place within 12 weeks of the 1st dose. We will contact you at a later date.
We do not yet have dates for Group 2 Round 4
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 08-01-21
We have begun inviting more people in Priority Group 2 for Covid-19 Vaccinations for Tuesday 12th to Thurs 14th January
All 2nd dose appointments originally booked for that week have been cancelled. The Clinical Support Team is trying to contact all those affected. Cancellation texts have gone out where possible.
PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY WHEN INVITED - if not we will offer the place to someone else and re - invite you later.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 07-01-21
WARNING - scam texts are being sent re Covid Vaccines and giving links to sites asking for a lot of personal data and bank or credit card details. DO NOT GIVE ANY FINANCIAL DETAILS. Our links just want Date of Birth before taking you to the booking page.
We will contact more people today for the latest round of vaccination. Then we will stop until we get a new delivery date.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 06-01-21
Following updated NHS guidance to prioritise first vaccinations, patients with second dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments booked for 12th, 13th or 14-Jan-2021 will not receive these until later in the year.
The Thames Valley Clinical Support Unit Team (CSU) will be ringing to cancel these appointments formally over the next few days.
You will be contacted to rebook your second appointment in due course. Please do not call the surgery about this as we do not have availability for second vaccinations yet. We will call you.
Your first dose still offers considerable protection against the virus.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 04-01-21
We await an official decision as to whether the pre-booked 2nd dose appointments for week of 12th January will go ahead or not. If we do have to cancel we will inform the patients.
We have begun inviting more people in Priority Group 2 for Covid-19 Vaccinations for Thursday 7th Jan to Sat 9th January.
Only around a quarter of this age group will be invited for these sessions. It will take a few more weeks to get everyone in Group 2 vaccinated so please wait to be contacted. One quarter were vaccinated before Christmas.
Some texts have gone out today 4th January, more will go out tomorrow. Those without mobiles will be contacted on their landlines - as will patients who do not reply to their texts.
Please note that as per NHS England updated guidance one dose will be given initially and the 2nd dose will be around 12 weeks later
The invitation will be for the first dose only
The vaccination clinic is held in the Desborough Suite in Maidenhead Town Hall
- You can park in the ‘Shanly’ parking spaces on the corner of Grove Road and York Road free of charge (not the council pay and display car park). But be aware of gravel surface. There is a sign that says Parking to let and yellow signs on the fence to say Patient parking
- Those with disabled badges can park closer to the Desborough Suite, or drop off as needed.
- The Desborough Suite is accessed from Park Street (not from the front of the Town Hall).
- Wheelchairs are available if needed – marshals will assist.
- Patients should not arrive more than 5 minutes early for their appointment.
- Patients must sit and be observed for adverse reactions for 15 minutes after getting their vaccination
It is very important that patients do not arrive too early as this might cause a problem with safety and social distancing inside and outside the hall.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 04-01-21
We await an official decision as to whether the pre-booked 2nd dose appointments for week of 12th January will go ahead or not. If we do have to cancel we will inform the patients.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 24-12-20
As stated below the PCN started giving vaccinations on the 22nd December to the 24th December in our first central clinic. The 2nd dose vaccinations for those vaccinated at that time will be 12th to 14th January 2021. Two doses are required, three weeks apart.
We have begun with NHS Priority Group 2, those 80 and over.
This is a large group and will take 3 to 4 rounds before we get all of them through.
We do not have a date for the next round yet. Please wait for us to contact you. Thank you Public Health England Leaflet Why Do I Have to Wait
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 18-12-20
Cookham Medical Centre, as part of the Maidenhead Primary Care Network (PCN) will start giving vaccinations to our patients from 22nd December. Owing to storage requirements of the vaccine, this will be from a central Maidenhead location and not at the surgery.
You will be invited either by text with a link to a booking system or by a call from the surgery in priority order based on NHS and Government guidance. Booking is essential and by invitation only.
Please wait for us to contact you
Please note that the vaccine currently available requires a 2nd dose so you will be given 2 appointments, 3 weeks apart and must attend BOTH appointments
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATED 07-12-20
The NHS is now ready to deliver a vaccination programme for England so that those who need it most will be able to access vaccinations as soon as they are available.
A prioritisation list has been produced in order for the vaccine to be delivered to groups who will need it first. The NHS will contact you when you are eligible to receive the vaccine and provide you with information about location and date.
We will contact you when it’s the right time to come forward, so please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine before then.
Key messages for patients / the public
- The vaccine will be given in order of priority to those at highest risk first.
- We will be in contact with you with information about where and when you will need to receive the vaccine.
- Please act on your invite when it comes, and make sure you attend your appointments when you arrange them.
- Please continue to abide by all the social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will still save lives.
SCAM WARNING RE TEST AND TRACE
People are pretending to be from NHS Test and Trace informing you that you've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus and advising that you need to have a test. They say that they need your card details as you have to pay for the test. This is not true. The NHS tests for coronavirus are free. If you get a genuine email, text or call from NHS Test and Trace they will never ask you to pay for a test or for your bank/card details.
If you think you may have coronavirus
If you a have new continuous cough, or a fever over 37.8C, then the advice is that you should self-isolate for 7 days. You do not need to contact NHS 111 or the GP practice. If you develop worsening symptoms, especially significant breathing problems, or you are unable to get out of bed, then contact NHS- 111.
If you live with anyone they will need to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Check NHS-111 for information about Self-isolating https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
If you think you may have coronavirus or may have been in contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created special guidance pages that tell you what to do in your particular circumstances
These can be accessed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
As the NHS 111 telephone service is dealing with very heavy call volumes - the online service can be used instead
Do ring 111 if your symptoms are worsening and becoming severe
GP and Nurse appointments
Cookham Medical Centre is taking actions to protect our patients, our staff and our community by introducing a new telephone triage system for GP appointments. Our aim is to significantly reduce the footfall through our surgery in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, in line with national guidance.
All GP appointments will initially be on the telephone. If you have an appointment booked with a GP, please do not come to the surgery – please stay at home and the doctor will call you at the allocated time. The GP will do all they can to help you over the phone and they can also offer video consultations. However, should they feel the need to see you face to face for an examination, you will be invited to the surgery at a set time.
We also offer an e-consult service - available on the Home page of the website for GP advice and for admin queries
Nursing appointments are now for essential matters only such as childhood immunisation, warfarin monitoring, some dressings and some blood tests needed for monitoring conditions.
These will be booked with gaps between patients to reduce numbers present at any time
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus do not attend the nurse appointment but seek advice from GP
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Sickness and Isolation notes
We are not able to provide letters for employers to confirm symptoms or the need to self-isolate. The NHS is facing unprecedented pressure at the moment and employers need to understand that such requests are not currently realistic. Government have been clear in their advice about this to employers.
You can print off an Isolation note from NHS-111 https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
The isolation note is only for patients who are sick themselves or are isolating because a member of their household has symptoms of Coronavirus.
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Shielding those at highest risk of complications of Coronavirus
Patients at the highest risk of complications if they get Covid-19 have been identified by the government and sent a letter explaining the precautions they need to take and the support that is available
Many people have questions about this and the NHS has put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
FAQs Shielding those at highest risk of complications
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CORONAVIRUS Covid-19 Guidance
Please click the link for guidance as supplied from PHE via East Berkshire CCG
You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you have general concerns about coronavirus please look at the guidance on the NHS 111 online service
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
We thank you for your co-operation and understanding. As you are aware, the situation is evolving daily and we will keep you updated via our website and text messaging service.
Latest update 3rd April 2020