Coronavirus
Please note that during the Coronavirus Pandemic the practice remains open and continues to offer access to health care but we are delivering services in a slightly different way. These changes are to ensure the ongoing safety of our patients and staff.
The majority of our appointments will initially be telephone consultations. We also encourage you to use our e-Consult system for routine matters available from this website (no username or password required).
If necessary, a face to face appointment will be given by the clinician once they have spoken to you.
If you have a more urgent concern then please call the surgery, but note our telephone system is exceptionally busy.
If you need medical assistance when the surgery is closed and it is urgent but not life threatening, please use NHS 111 online or dial 111.
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Do not go to your GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy if you have symptoms of coughing or fever or shortness of breath and please go to these 2 websites to get up to date information - you may prefer to do this instead of calling 111 if the lines are very busy:
https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.
Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.
You can read more about coronavirus on NHS.uk.
Covid-19 Vaccine
Covid Vaccine
The Covid-19 vaccine is now being rolled out across Hertfordshire.
This priority list is as follows:
- residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- all those 75 years of age and over
- all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- all those 65 years of age and over
- all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- all those 60 years of age and over
- all those 55 years of age and over
- all those 50 years of age and over
- all those 45 years of age and over
- all those 38 years of age and over
Vaccination update for our patients
The NHS vaccination programme continues to make strong progress. Vaccinations have now been offered to everyone aged 50 and over, as well as health and social care workers, unpaid carers and people at a higher clinical risk.
Five out of every six people who have been offered the vaccine have already been vaccinated. The offer of a vaccine remains on the table for anyone who is eligible who has yet to book.
As the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues, the Garden City Practice will in future only vaccinate:
- second doses to our patients when they are due.
If you are 50 or over, or you are an unpaid carer, or are clinically at risk, or are living with someone who has a suppressed immune system) you can get your vaccination by:
- ringing 119
- booking online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/.
There is enough vaccine for everyone in a priority group who needs it. If you have questions or concerns about your vaccination, have a look at the advice, information and frequently asked questions on this local NHS website: https://covid.healthierfuture.org.uk
If you are in a newly eligible age group (currently people aged 45-49) please arrange a vaccination appointment through the national booking service website or by calling 119. This will allow you to book an appointment at a local vaccination centre or pharmacy site.
If you are pregnant, it is now advised that you take up the offer of a vaccination if you are eligible to do so -for example, you are a health or social care worker, or you live with someone who is immunosuppressed. Contact our GP practice so that we can help to arrange this at a suitable vaccination centre.
We would like to extend our thanks to all of the staff and volunteers for their invaluable help in supporting our vaccination effort.
Please book an appointment at a Mass Vaccination Centre by going on https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination (you will need your NHS number), or by calling 119
Shielding Advice
Shielding ends in England from Midnight on 31st March. The Government started sending letters to patients from the 18th March providing guidance on extra precautions, the letter sets out practical steps people can follow to reduce their risk of catching the virus including continuing to maintain strict social distancing and continuing to work from home where possible.
The Volunteering and People Assistance Cell will continue to run its support program for both Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) citizens and Hertfordshire residents who may require support.
HertsHelp will continue to take CEV referrals from districts to provide assistance. Please email HertsHelp at info@HertsHelp.net with client details and they will receive a call back.
See https://nww.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/news/2021/march/support-cev-and-herts-residents-may-require-support-during-easter-weekend for more information