Baslow Health CentreThere are three items in this update:
- How to access proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status.
- News of Living with long term conditions courses.
- Some words of farewell from our Baslow Health Centre Practice Manager.
How to access proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status
The NHS app available for mobile devices has been updated with improved functionality and integration with the GP online systems. The app can be used for ordering repeat prescriptions, booking online appointments, and looking at medical test results. From Monday 17 May you should also be able to access proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Extract from www.gov.uk/guidance...
Through the NHS App
You can access the app through mobile devices such as a smartphone or 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.
By calling 119
If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 working days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine. We expect the letter to take up to 7 working days to reach you.
The letter will be sent automatically to the address registered with your GP. The 119 call handler you speak to will not be able to see your address to check this with you. If you’ve recently moved house, make sure you’ve given your new address to your GP practice before calling 119.
Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
For more information go to, www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad.
Living with long term conditions
The Living with A Long Term Condition programme is for anyone living in Derbyshire who has one or more long-term health conditions such as asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, depression, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, sickle cell, HIV, ME/chronic fatigue, chronic pain or any other condition. The course is also available and proven to be beneficial for carers of someone living with a long term condition.
The course is designed to help participants cope with their health condition and improve their quality of life.
Topics covered include:
- dealing with symptoms like pain and tiredness
- coping with depression or feeling low
- relaxation techniques
- physical activity
- healthy eating
- planning for the future
- setting realistic goals
The next six-week course starts on Wednesday 9th June online via Zoom. For more details go to, www.citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk/self-support/.
Finally, a word from our Baslow Health Centre Practice Manager
End of an era..
With mixed emotions 2021 sees me leaving my Baslow family to work in pastures new, a new challenge to keep me on my toes!
Reflecting on the last decade, I have truly considered Baslow Health Centre as my second home. My inception saw me behind the reception desk learning the ropes, as my confidence grew so did my inquisitive psyche for the business element of the surgery. Thus, I was lucky to progress to become the assistant Practice Manager in 2014 and the Practice Manager in 2018.
I consider myself privileged to have grown up locally and to know 99.9% of the surgery’s patients before they say their name on the phone. My love for Baslow, augmented with my colleagues and patients whom I now consider dear friends will always hold special memories for me.
This past year has definitely been challenging one for us working in primary care. We have been pushed to, and at times through our comfort zone to regain a ‘normality’ of life to reign victorious over the pandemic. As one of the coordinators for the vaccination programme in the Dales I have thrived in forming new working relationships with local surgeries, coming together to keep our patients safe.
They say no one chooses to be a Practice Manager and that it is a vocation only a few enjoy and survive, I’m one of those people. No one day is the same in general practice and that’s why I do the job I do. There is always something new to learn and take on board. Baslow has enabled me to grow as a manager and a person, it has taught me that the key to being a good manager is to have a fair and robust good-natured personality with an open door policy.
On that note I say a fond farewell to all Baslow Health Centre patients and staff what a wonderful team I leave you with.
Tor Siddall
14th May 2021