COVID-19 Surgery Update

Interior of office with safety direction posted all around.

Welcome to our latest COVID-19 update.

St Wulfstan Surgery is committed to putting quality & compassion at the heart of everything we do.

COVID-19 has presented new challenges, and as such we have had to adapt some of our procedures to continue to deliver care, but in a way that ensures the safety of patients and staff alike.

Face Coverings

  • We are now requesting our patients wear face coverings when attending the surgery as an additional means of protecting patients and staff

Face Coverings - Please do not request an exemption letter

  • We have had calls from people requesting letters to exempt them from wearing face masks in public

  • Irrespective of the reason, we have been advised that GP surgeries are not to provide such letter so please avoid asking

Online Bookings

  • We have now increased the availability of appointments in our Online Booking system, to help improve the flexibility of the service we offer you

  • You can now book GP telephone appointments up-to 7 days in advance

  • You can also book blood tests and some Nursing appointments up-to 7 days in advance

  • To book online please consider downloading the NHS App (https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/) or visit https://www.stwulfstan.co.uk/appointments

Photographs

  • Please avoid sending us your photo’s via e-mail

  • If at the time of your telephone consultation you and your GP feels a photo would be useful then they will send you a text message. You will then be able to reply to the text message with your photo’s which will then be sent directly to your GP

Attending the Surgery - Please don’t come too early!

  • As we try to maintain social distancing measures please enter the surgery at the time of your appointment and not before - this will really help us keep our patients and staff safe

Self-Help

  • If you are looking for medical help or advice, please do not forget you can visit NHS.UK which provides excellent ‘self-help’ advice and resources for a broad range of medical problems

We would also like to again thank you all for your support, we remain open and here to help you all!

Text Message Problems - Resolved

It appears we are having some problems with text messages (SMS) at the moment

Some patients have reported that they have not been getting text messages regarding results or appointment reminders. We have reported this to our service providers and expect a resolution shortly.

In the meantime, if you have not heard about recent results then please sign up for online services so you can view your results online. Please click the ‘Online Services’ link at the top of the page for details on how to access these services. If still in doubt then please contact reception

Update 3rd August 08:00 - SMS services have now been fully restored.

Family Health Lifestyle Sessions

“The Change Makers healthy lifestyles team are now providing free online sessions, helping families learn about healthy living topics through a range of fun activities.”

Change Makers are offering a variety of healthy lifestyle online workshop sessions, suitable for all the family. Sessions include live cooking, live family exercise and parent/carer workshops. During these sessions you will be able ask questions about diet, exercise and healthy living.

It sounds fun, it’s free, it may make you and your family healthier, so why not give it a try this Summer.

Please see https://www.compass-uk.org/make-a-change/ to register or find out more.

COVID-19 & Dog Welfare?

Pug dog lays on floor with calm sad looking face.

The Dogs Trust are a UK canine welfare charity and they are looking for our help!

They are running a research project to ascertain how recent changes in response to COVID-19 have impacted on human-dog relationships and dog welfare.

They state “Your participation will be extremely valuable to enhancing our understanding of the impacts that COVID-19 lifestyle changes are having on dog ownership.”

To participate they are asking people to fill in a questionnaire.

For more details visit: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/blog/2020/take-part-in-our-study-on-dog-ownership-during-covid-19

Mental Health Support for Young People

New support numbers are available for children and young people struggling with a mental health crisis. You are not alone, and there is help and support available to you RIGHT NOW.

For urgent calls, for children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis contact the Rise Crisis team:

  • between 8am-8pm call 02476 641799 

  • or call 0300 200 0011 outside of these hours.

This service is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, with an advice-only service outside the core hours of 8am-8pm.

https://cwrise.com/need-help-now

COVID-19 Testing: Call 119

A new helpline has been setup for those who have COVID-19 symptoms and wish to arrange a test.

Please call 119 where you will be able to ask questions regarding testing, and book a test.

Alternatively this can be online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Just to recap the symptoms of COVID-19 to be aware of are:

  • a high temperature,

  • a new, continuous cough,

  • or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

You need to get the test done in the first 5 days of having symptoms.

Diabetes Support Numbers

OneTouch device lays on red fabric

For those with diabetes, and more specifically those using insulin we have details of 2 new support numbers.

Warwick Hospital have a direct number you can call on 07775 012696, it is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. 

Additionally Diabetes UK offer a helpline for adults using insulin requiring immediate advice on 0345 123 2399 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.

COVID19 Update

Interior of office with safety direction posted all around.

As we work to implement Government guidelines we are keen to bring 2 new changes to your attention:

  1. It is advised that people coming to the surgery wear face coverings (this can be something as simple as a scarf).

  2. We have introduced a one way system in the surgery (see photo). Please notify reception on arrival, use the alcohol gel provided and observe the one way system.

We know none of this is ideal, and we thank you all for the ongoing support you have provided to both the surgery and the wider community.

Who Was St Wulfstan?

St Wulfstan Stain glass window

St Wulfstan - The Bishop Who Fought Slavery, Patron Saint of Peasants and Vegetarians

St Wulfstan was born in 1008 in Long Itchington, Warwickshire, and became Bishop of Worcester in 1062.

He has become renowned for being the Bishop who fought slavery, and many report that he was a prominent social reformer. Legend has it that he had a daily ritual of washing the feet of the poor. It is also said that he hosted a banquet attended by local dignitaries, and at the same time invited the poor. He then insisted that the dignitaries serve the poor.

It is reported that he campaigned vigorously to end the slave trade involving Irish slaves who were sold in Bristol, and eventually resulted in the end of this trade.

He is also Patron Saint of Vegetarians. He became a vegetarian after becoming distracted from his devotions by the smell of roast goose!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2007/03/13/aboliltion_wulfstan_feature.shtml

http://thomasfowellbuxton.org.uk/tfb/blog/2013/05/02/st-wulfstan-the-bishop-who-fought-slavery/

Dementia Support

If you suffer with dementia, or care for someone who suffers with dementia there is support available for you.

The Dementia Connect Service is a new personalised dementia support service for anyone affected by dementia and can be contacted on 0333 150 3456.

They are able to provide:

  • emotional support when things get tough

  • connecting you to local support groups

  • help to understand and live with dementia, including coping techniques

  • support with everyday living, such as government benefits.

The telephone. umber is open as follows:

  • Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm

  • Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

  • Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

And you can also access help online at www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect

Or for further support services please visit the Warwickshire Council website at https://dementia.warwickshire.gov.uk/support-services-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

New Bereavement Support Pack

Loosing a loved one can be incredibly distressing, and maybe made even more so in the current circumstances of a pandemic. It is often difficult to understand what needs to be done from a practical perspective, and where to go for help when we’re struggling. Nobody should feel alone. As such Warwickshire County Council have produced a new document entitled; “Support for People Bereaved During COVID-19 Pandemic”. It provides thorough and thoughtful information on support and counselling services available for adults and children.

The document can be found at the following address: https://mcusercontent.com/6649d997a7ea14dfed06838ef/files/af682dbb-25a2-494c-a1ea-92576259f84e/Bereavement_pack_v1.pdf