Surgery News
Please be advised that whilst COVID restrictions are easing in most settings this week, the guidance for healthcare settings from Public Health England has not changed.
Therefore the use of face masks and social distancing remains in place within the surgery to ensure the safety of our staff and patients.
We thank you all for your understanding.
Did you know there are a number of local services you can access to assist with getting you to and from medical appointments - please click on the links below to find out further information on eligibility and how to book these services.
VASA: The Community Transport Service is a volunteer led service, with volunteer drivers using their own cars, at a small fee, to transport people to medical or social inclusion journeys.
Please visit their website for the most up to date information including eligibility for the service.
Harbury E-Wheels are a free transport service, run by volunteers, using electric cars to reduce carbon emissions. For further information and how to book please click here.
Coventry and Warwickshire Patient Transport Services: transport for those with a medical need that prevents them from using private or public transport. Please click here for further information and how to contact.
If you are aware of any other services available please do let us know by emailing us.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are common, especially in ladies, and can give symptoms which include burning and stinging on passing urine, passing urine more often or the need to pass urine more immediately. You may also notice your urine appears more cloudy.
These symptoms may often settle by drinking more fluid, but if the symptoms don’t improve then antibiotics maybe required. Normally this requires an appointment with a GP.
But if you are a lady, aged 16-84 years, and not currently taking antibiotics, your Pharmacist at Southam Pharmacy maybe able to dispense you the antibiotic nitrofurantoin which can be taken for 3 days to treat a urine infection, without the need to see a GP. To book an appointment with your pharmacist you can call Southam Pharmacy on 01926 812287.
But if you are more unwell with symptoms of Kidney pain (in back under the ribs), muscle aches, fever (temperature more than 37.8 degrees), chills (rigors), or vomiting then it is still best to see your GP in the first instance.
Due to our rapid growth we are looking to recruit a new GP who shares our passion for delivering OUTSTANDING quality care!
Please see advert above - applications close Friday 4th February 2022
Please e-mail: Lindsay.ward@stwulfstansurgery.nhs.uk if you would like to find out more, or if you would like to apply.
UPDATE: Our systems are now back up and running as normal. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Our computer systems are currently down which is affecting our ability to book appointments today and may lead to some disruption during your appointment today.
Please bear with us while our suppliers work on a fix.
Many thanks for all your patience, we will keep you posted!
Warwickshire County Council wants to ensure that anyone who feels lonely and isolated over the festive period is aware of the relevant organisations that can provide support and help at this time of year.
In the UK it is estimated that there are half a million older people who go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. And with the ongoing issues that the pandemic presents, it many limit the opportunities for people to meet up with friends and loved ones.
The council’s Winter Wellness campaign is highlighting how Warwickshire residents can help themselves and each other to stay mentally and physically healthy during the winter months. For more information visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/winterwellness
And the council’s social media channels will be sharing information too. Follow us on Facebook @WarwickshireCountyCouncil, Twitter @Warks_CC, Instagram @bestwarwickshire
Cllr Margaret Bell, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: “We want to reassure those residents who may be facing a Christmas on their own, that there is support out there for you either at the end of the phone or via a tablet or smartphone. There are so many opportunities to get involved with online groups, learn a new skill via our Adult and Community Learning Team or chat on an online book club about a book you’ve borrowed from one of our libraries on an online book club chat. The opportunities to connect with people is endless. These are just a few of the many opportunities to connect with people."
In addition to the online signposts to help via social media channels, there are also phone-based services that run throughout the year.
Older people can speak to a real person via The Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90 and Age UK 0800 169 6565, which is open 24/7.
Younger people can access help via ChildLine 0800 1111 and Get Connected, a national helpline for anyone under 25 years of age, 0808 808 4994.
Bereavement – Cruse, 0808 808 1677 and The Good Grief Trust 0800 2600
For more information on learning opportunities visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/acl
Information on Warwickshire Libraries Services can be found on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries
Christmas marks the start of a wide-ranging loneliness and social isolation campaign that will officially launch early next year. The campaign will include recruitment of Social Ambassadors from local communities who will help to spread awareness messages and information offering support and guidance to those in need.
Further information about becoming a Social Ambassador will be launched in the New Year but if you would like to sign up for more information please email newsteam@warwickshire.gov.uk
At St Wulfstan Surgery we have very low rates of missed appointments. This is one reason why we are able to offer such a fantastic service. And it is another reason why we are thankful to our wonderful patients who make that possible.
Despite this low rate of missed appointment we have noticed a slight increase in missed appointments recently. This saddens us, because for every missed appointment, we have lost the opportunity to help someone who really needed it. And it is worth noting that missed GP appointments costs the NHS £216m per year.
For that reason, please help us keep our missed appointment rates low by following these tips:
Please book appointments only when you need them. Many conditions such as colds, coughs and sore throats will normally get better given a little more time. In such cases it is often sensible to speak to your pharmacist first.
If you book an appointment and cannot make it, please call reception or use the NHS App or Patient Access to cancel it. This way we can offer the appointment to someone else to give them the help they need.
Please remember that telephone appointments are just as valuable as face to face appointments. And therefore missed telephone appointments count as missed appointments. So if you will be unable to keep your timed telephone appointment please cancel it before hand.
We do record all missed appointments, and if appointments are frequently missed you may be asked to leave the surgery.
Thank you for helping us, to help you!
Happy New Year To All!!
At St Wulfstan Surgery we thought it was time to refresh the reception area!
Of course the Christmas tree has made an appearance!
We have Removed a pillar from the reception area to make it more open.
A fresh lick of lighter paint.
And some new artwork from local Photographer, James Carro, now graces the walls. A big thank you to James, the artwork is absolutely stunning, so feel free to have a look next time you are in the surgery.
Merry Christmas to our wonderful patients and staff!
Staff at St Wulfstan Surgery wore their best Christmas Jumpers to work on 10th December to raise money for Save the Children.
Save the Children support children in over 100 countries to transform their lives. Their ambition is that by 2030:
no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday
all children learn from a quality basic education
violence against children is no longer tolerated.
We are pleased to say we raised £25 for this worthy cause. If you would like to see more of what Save the Children do please visit their website www.savethechildren.org.uk
Please note the following opening hours for the surgery and Southam Pharmacy.
Please ensure to allow plenty of time to order your repeat prescriptions over the Christmas period.
Please also note changes to extended hours - as it is a bank holiday, there will not be a Saturday morning surgery on 1st January. Instead, Dr Viswa will hold a telephone surgery on Saturday 8th January. Our early bird surgery that week will be on Tuesday 4th. These appointments can only be booked in advance.
Friday 24th December
open as usual
Monday 27th December
closed
Tuesday 28th December
closed
Wednesday 29th December
open as usual
Thursday 30th December
open as usual
Friday 31st December
open as usual
Monday 3rd January
closed
Friday 24th December
8.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday 25th December & Sunday 26th December
closed
Monday 27th December
closed
Tuesday 28th December
10am - 4pm
Wednesday 29th December
8.30 am - 6.15pm
Thursday 30th December
8.30 am - 6.15pm
Friday 31st December
8.30 am - 5.30pm
Saturday 1st January & Sunday 2nd January
closed
Monday 3rd January
closed
Please visit the following link to find the closest pharmacies should you need one over the Christmas period.
We are delighted to welcome Dr Baker to our GP Team!
She will start working with us from next week and she shares our passion for delivering outstanding, high quality care!
Now a few words from Dr Baker:
“Hello, I’m Dr Baker and will be starting at St Wulfstan very shortly, which I’m looking forward to. I have an interest in women’s health and looking to develop this further, whilst at the practice.
On a personal note I enjoy spending time with my 2 children under 5 and exploring all the amazing parks in Warwickshire with them! ”
We are really proud to have been told that St Wulfstan Surgery has achieved the highest level of flu vaccination amongst the 116 practices in Coventry & Warwickshire in those aged 16+!
We have managed to vaccinate 97.2% of adults aged 65+, and 95.8% of adults aged 50-64 years.
These incredible achievements are only made possible by the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff, and the support of our wonderful patients - that’s teamwork!
So we would like to thank you all!
If you have not yet had your vaccine then its still not too late, please give reception a call and we would be happy to help.
To find out if you are eligible for the Flu vaccine please visit NHS.uk
At St Wulfstan Surgery we pride ourselves on offering you an efficient service.
As such, and to help us keep offering an efficient service we would like to kindly remind patients to turn up to appointments on time - this applies to both telephone and face-to-face appointments.
Whilst the overwhelming majority of our patients are prompt and on time, we do still suffer the consequences of some who are late or never show up.
The consequences of being late include;
Loosing your appointment slot
The knock-on effect of delaying appointments for all other patients waiting to see us that day
Increased congestion within the practice meaning people may then need to wait outside
Increased pressure on staff
The consequences of not turning up or answering the phone mean someone else has missed the opportunity for us to help them.
Of course, sometimes you may not be able to attend an appointment with good reason. In these cases please cancel your appointment via the NHS App, Patient Access or by calling reception as soon as you can.
Help us to keep helping you!
Following the Government announcement on 29th November, the NHS is developing plans to extend the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme to include everyone aged 18 and over. These plans have not yet been completed so further guidance is awaited.
Some of the plans are as follows:
A Booster will be offered to everyone aged 18 and over
12 to 15 year olds will also be offered a second dose of the vaccine
an additional booster will be available for people who are immunosuppressed
When Can I have my Booster?
The Booster can be given 3+ months after your second dose.
What do I need to do?
For now, all you need to do is wait to be contacted by the NHS. The Southam Vaccination service will be in touch with eligible patients via telephone or text message, and once there are appointments available for you to book.
You do not need to call anyone at present
If you are over 40 or a health and social care worker, and are eligible for your booster, you can go online to www.nhs.uk or call 119 to book your appointment. Visit www.happyhealthylives.uk/vaccinationdrop-ins to see all the places you can go for a walk-in appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns about booking your vaccination in Southam, you can contact the Southam COVID Vaccination booking line on 01926 962719.
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If you don’t already use the NHS App, then please consider downloading it today!
Order your repeat medications, book your appointment, view your medical history and more by downloading and using the NHS app on your smartphone or tablet today. If you don’t have access to any of these devices you can still use Patient Access if needed.
It also alleviates pressure on the surgery, by reducing the number of phone calls, and helps us offer a more efficient service.
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