Patients, staff and visitors must CONTINUE to wear face coverings in healthcare setting 

Update on the COVID-19 booster programme - 14 12 2021

Across Tees the NHS and its partners are working extremely hard to roll out the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme to our communities.

All adults are eligible and able to book via the National Booking System 

You can book your booster for 3 months from the date of second vaccine, and you can access the National Booking System to book the appointment from 2 months.

New appointments are being added every day across our vaccination services. 

We encourage everyone who is aged 18 and over, yet to have their booster and who is approaching 3 months from your second vaccine, to use the National Booking System to arrange your appointment when you are able to do so.

In terms of any planned appointments with Kingsway Medical Centre, there are no changes at the current time and everyone should attend planned appointments as normal. If we need to make any changes, we will contact you directly.

See more about the vaccination programme in Tees Valley including the vaccination services:

· Walk-in availability in Tees Valley: https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/where-and-when-you-can-you-get-a-walk-in-covid-19-jab-in-tees-valley-3/ · Frequently asked questions: https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccinations-frequently-asked-questions/ · Main web page and booster calculator: https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/

· Facebook page where new clinics and covid information is updated daily: https://www.facebook.com/nhsteesvalleyccg/

You can find further information on the Covid Vaccination programme here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and guidance and support here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Patients with a new continuous cough OR fever OR loss of/change in smell or taste are NOT to come down to surgery.  Patients can access more information via https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 

Patients who are isolating should not go out of their house during the period of their isolation.

Any patient who provides false information to gain a face to face appointment will be removed from the practice list.

People in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate their COVID-19 status.

If you’re aged 18 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic venues and events.

If you’re aged 16 or over you can get an NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad but you should follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

A full course is currently two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Janssen single-dose vaccine. Vaccine status will be available through the NHS COVID Pass service from: 

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores 

• the NHS website 

• 119 - by requesting a paper letter

You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified.

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose (or one dose of the Janssen single-dose vaccine) more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 5 working days for the letter to arrive.

Kingsway Medical Centre is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.

When you're planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel.

If you are due to travel soon and need your name updating on your medical records to match that of your passport/covid pass etc, please attend the surgery with proof of your identification i.e marriage certificate, this will not be taken over the phone.

Your records will then be updated to reflect your name change, please however note that we can make changes but have absolutely no control of how long these take to update your covid passes etc.

Please give 28 day notice for any changes you wish to be made also please note that this is not critical work and will not take precedence over medical care.

 Phlebotomy Clinic at Billingham Health Centre

To comply with social distancing - there is no longer a drop in phlebotomy clinic at Billingham Health Centre.  Appointments now have to be made for patients attending the Phlebotomy Clinic at Billingham Health Centre

Contacting the Practice

Understandably, our practice is experiencing a high number of telephone calls from patients concerned. Our reception team are working as quickly as possible to answer each call however, it would be helpful if patients noted the following:

You do not need to contact the practice for advice if you are experiencing mild symptoms of Covid-19. You should follow the guidance at https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 The advice being provided on this website is the same advice you will be provided with from the practice.

A number of patients have asked about testing for Covid-19. We do not have kits or provide testing for Covid-19. Only patients currently being admitted to hospital are being tested if deemed appropriate.

You should dial 999 if you are experiencing severe breathing difficulties. 

Suspected COVID19 - Important information to keep you safe while isolating at home

Recovery from COVID19 - information can be found on : https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

Recovery advice following COVID19

Exercise leaflet after COVID19

Psychological Support following COVID19

Self care for patients with COVID19

Patients can self-refer to some services without seeing a doctor first.

Please note we do not routinely prescribe antibiotics

The Pharmacist can give advice for minor conditions such as:  

The Dentist can offer advice regarding Toothache/abscess