Welcome to the latest of our weekly newsletters. We regard it as a priority that all our patients are kept fully informed of all developments at Buckshaw Village Surgery, Croston and Adlington Medical Centres, our sites at Lostock Hall and on matters affecting former Eaves Lane Surgery patients. We hope these regular updates will continue to prove useful.
Covid Vaccination Programme Update
The situation in respect of the Covid pandemic and the Omicron variant is changing constantly but we would like to stress our own vaccination programme is continuing as swiftly as possible.
We can now advise that we have lowered the minimum age for booster vaccinations from 18 to 16, so anyone 16 and over is now eligible, though please note in all cases your second dose must have been at least three months ago.
In addition, those aged 12-18 are eligible for second doses but there must be a 12 week gap since their first dose. However, if in an at risk group, they will be eligible after eight weeks.
We are also continuing to offer first doses to anyone aged 12 years or over.
Please note in all cases, anyone aged 18+ who has had Covid must wait 28 days since initial diagnosis before having any jab, and those under 18 must wait 12 weeks from diagnosis.
All vaccinations are taking place at Jubilee House, Centurion Way, Leyland PR26 6TR.
Opening hours are as normal ie 8am-7.40pm Wed to Sat, closed for lunch 1-2pm. You can attend as a walk-in or make an appointment via the NHS app.
We have noted some people have had parking issues at other sites but please note that there is plentiful FREE parking at Jubilee House at all times.
However, there are roadworks close to the site so please allow for a short delay at busy times.
If you have any queries, please call the designated 119 Covid line or visit the NHS website rather than our surgeries, unless you are housebound and require any of the jabs, in which case please call your own surgery to request a home visit.
Staff Absences
The pandemic situation along with normal winter issues are continuing to affect us badly.
We have a large number of members of staff not in work due to a combination of Covid related compulsory self-isolation and other unrelated sickness issues.
However, we have redeployed both our reception & administrative staff and clinicians wherever possible to cover for absences and we are relieved to advise that at this point we have been able to keep all our surgery sites open.
Despite this, we have had no option but to cancel some clinics due to clinician absence and others where face to face appointments have switched to phone appointments, for which we apologise.
We would like to place on record our thanks to all our patients for their understanding and patience over the past few weeks as we have attempted to deal with a difficult situation. It is very much appreciated.
Appointments with Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and Practice Nurses (PNs)
Our ANPs and NPs deal with a variety of issues but each category deals with a different set of complaints and we have noted a number of patients who have booked their appointments via Patient Access have unfortunately done so with the incorrect category.
Within the next few days, we will be issuing on our website a list of the different issues ANPs and NPs deal with. Please could patients refer to this list before making appointments.
Staff Vacancies
We are continuing to make every effort to strengthen our team in order to help tackle the present situation and also looking ahead to the future.
For details of current vacancies for which we are currently accepting applications, please see our Facebook page ‘NM Health Innovations.’ We look forward to hearing from applicants.