13th December 2021.
It was announced last night that the campaign to deliver all Covid Booster vaccines by the end of January has been brought forward by one month.
The GP practices were informed about this at the same time as the public last night at the 8pm announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
We do not yet know what the government will ask us to do nor how they will ask us to do it.
We would respectfully ask that you do not call your GP practice regarding Covid Boosters, fistly because we have no further information at this time and secondly it will allow us to continue to take calls from patients requiring urgent on the day medical appointments.
We will of course update our website and Facebook pages once we have any further update.
We are grateful of your cooperation.
The Sidings Team
Your Experience Matters
The Friends and Family Test
We value your feedback. Please help us to imrpove our services by answer a simple question:
Overall, how was your experience of our services?
You may be asked this question by:
- Text message
- Automated call
- Feedback card
Your response is free, anonymous and reall appreciated! If you don't wish to take part, simply reply 'STOP' when you receive the message or speak to a staff member.
Alternatively you can contact us by phoning our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0300 123 9553
For all the latest updates and guidance about Covid restrictions please use the link below to the .gov website:
It's ok not to be ok
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed these simply daily tips may help.
Top top 1
Get active and spend time outside
Top top 2
Connect with others
Top top 3
Focus on what is in your control
Top top 4
Make time for hobbies you enjoy
Top top 5
Access mental health support if you need help.
Don't bottle up your feelings
Talking helps
Call the confidential emotional and mental health support line in Lincolnshire.
The experienced support workers will provide you with emotional support, advice and guidance.
0800 001 4331
Available 24/7
Here4You
Mental health and emotional wellbeing advice line for young people, parents and carers
0800 234 6342
Available 24/7
Lincolnshire Mental Health Advisor Helpline
An advice line for those supporting people with their mental health.
0303 123 4000
Available 24/7
Steps2change talking therapies
Anyone over the age of 16 can self-refer or contact their GP for a referral to steps2change talking therapies service.
www.lpft.nhs.uk/steps2change
Lincolnshire's Recovery College
People over the age of 16 can access free educational courses on mental health and wellbeing through the Lincolnshire Recovery College.
www.lpft.nhs.uk/recovery-college
For more information please contact lpft.recovery.college@nhs.net or visit www.lpft.nhs.uk/recovery-college
WHAT RESTRICTIONS WILL LOOK LIKE AT THE SIDINGS MEDICAL PRACTICE AFTER 19th JULY 2021
For the time being there will be no changes here at the Sidings Medical Practice. Patients coming to the surgery will still need to wear a mask, use the hand sanitiser and socially distance. Our staff will continue to wear appropriate PPE.
We have made this decision as often patients coming to the surgery are sick, vulnerable and may be unvaccinated due to medical reasons, so we feel that these precautions will help to protect everyone. We also need to minimise the number of our staff catching Covid so we can keep a functioning service, so for this reason alone these measures are vital.
Our consultations will continue, these might be offered as face to face, by phone or by video. It is worth noting that we are consulting with higher numbers of patients than we ever did before the pandemic, whilst also playing a big part in the vaccination programme too. Our doors are open but just in a different way.
We hope you will understand why we need to continue with these measures and keep the surgery as safe for everyone as we can. We have all come so far in trying to minimise the impact of Covid, let’s continue to stay safe together.
COVID-19 Vaccination Status and the NHS App
With the softening of pandemic restrictions we are sure that a lot of our patients will be looking forwards to abroad holidays in the near future. This is also likely to require you proving your vaccination status, and we wanted to ensure all our patients have the information they need to be able to do this.
It has recently been announced (more information can be found at www.gov.uk – Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad) that from 17 May 2021 the NHS App will be the quickest and easiest way to demonstrate your vaccination status, and you are advised to register with the app before booking international travel. Alternatively, if you do not have a smartphone or internet access you are being advised to call 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you.
Crucially – the guidance is that you should not contact your GP Surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GP practices cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Information about the NHS App – and the links to download it can be found on the nhs.uk website: www.nhs.uk – NHS App.
To help you use the NHS App there is a help and support page: www.nhs.uk – NHS App help and support. Unfortunately our staff will be unable to assist you.
The NHS App is able to verify your identity without the need to contact the practice. There is detailed information about how it does this at www.nhs.uk – NHS login. However – for some patients this can take a few days. I imagine as national uptake of the NHS App increases this delay will get longer, and I therefore urge you to download and verify your identity with the NHS App as soon as possible.
There are other benefits of downloading NHS App, such as:
- Being able to order your repeat medications, plus changing the chemist that you wish it to be sent to.
- Viewing your summary medical record, or your more detailed medical record if you request this from us.
We hope this information is useful, and for those of you lucky enough to get a holiday – have a lovely time but don’t forget to check if you’re going somewhere that may need other vaccinations!
The Sidings Team
07/04/2021
Please only attend your GP practice if you have been asked to.
- Patients must attend their appointment alone, unless they have specific needs.
- Do not arrive any more than 5 minutes early before your appointment time
- Patient are advised to attend the practice wearing a face covering
- The number of seats available in the waiting area are limited. Patients should only sit on designated chairs. Patients may be asked to wait in alternative areas.
For the latest information about Corona Virus please check the official NHS GOV website, www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Opening Hours
Our Reception desk is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
This is in addition the the service outlined below.
Extended Access Pilot
The Sidings Medical Practice is hosting the Boston extended access pilot. This is a new service which offers GP appointments outside of core working hours, making it easier for you to get an appointment at a time that suits you, including evenings 18:30 to 20:00, Saturdays 08:30 to 18:00, Sundays 08:30 to 16:00 and bank holidays.
The service is located in the Sidings Medical Practice on Sleaford Road, Boston. Access to the service is via the side entrance to the practice. Signs are in place.
If we cannot offer you an appointment at a suitable time at our surgery, we may be able to book you an appointment with the GP extended access service.
The GP who sees you may not be your regular GP, but with your consent he/she will be able to access your medical records and transfer any information back to the Practice. The GP will be able to offer advice and treatment including acute prescriptions (not repeat prescriptions), blood test requests and referrals.
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When the Surgery is Closed
When the surgery is closed you can call 111. In an emergency you should call 999
