COVID-19 and Vaccination Information

Coronovirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can affect your lungs and airways. there is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Latest information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Easy read guide to Coronavirus available on Mencap website

What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms

Continue to stay at home and do not go to the GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital,  if you have either:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONTACT NHS111 to tell them you are staying at home

If you develop symptoms see  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/    or call 119.

COVID-19 VACCINATION

There are three different vaccines in use:

• BioNTech/Pfizer
• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Moderna

THE SURGERY IS USING A TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE FROM ACCURX TO BOOK COVID VACCINATIONS. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CLICK ON A LINK AND PROVIDE YOUR DATE OF BIRTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE. 

COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS

If you have had a full dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, that is two doses, you can demonstrate your vaccination status either by downloading the free NHS App if you have a smartphone, by registering on the NHS website,  or ringing NHS 119 who will provide you with a paper letter. For more information see HERE.

SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY FROM COVID

Your COVID Recovery is an NHS website offering support in your recovery from COVID.  

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Advice

Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities have been found by Public Health England to be at increased risk from COVID-19. If you identify as BAME, please read this advice which reinforces the Public Health messages about how you can protect yourself. If you would like this provided in another language, please contact Reception.

Government advice in different languages, including English, about hand-washing, symptoms and testing. Click here for the videos.

If you have an oximeter, click here for videos in different languages, including English, about how to use it. 

We have added general diabetes information in different languages to our Health Information Links Section found under the Patient Info tab.

Germ Defence Website

Germ Defence is an evidence-based behaviour change website that provides advice on infection control at home. A clinical trial showed that using Germ Defence successfully reduced the number and severity of infections in the home. It was created by a team of doctors and scientists to give you advice that has been proven to reduce the spread of viruses in the home. It can help you plan how to protect yourself and members of your family from infection by COVID-19 and flu. It takes just ten minutes to use.

Register for help from Adur & Worthing Council

There is an online form to enable people to get in touch with the Council for help and support. This will prioritise those who might not be in a position to ask for help or have any friends, neighbours and families. They support will include help with food, guidance with money (including welfare benefit claims), having someone to talk to, mental health support, safety advice, for example avoiding ‘scams’, and support with accessing digital services.  If you are having difficulty completing the form, please ring 01903 221222 open 8am – 8pm.

Isolation Note

People unable to work because of coronovirus, either because they have symptoms or live with someone who has symptoms, can self-certify for the first seven days. After this time you can use an isolation note to provide evidence of the need to self-isolate. This can be issued without seeing a GP.

You can access the isolation note website here  https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

For more information see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-isolation-notes-launched-providing-proof-of-coronavirus-absence-from-work

How to avoid catching and spreading coronovirus 

Like the common cold, the COVID-19 infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with COVID-19 via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands. It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

Who is at high risk?

You may be at high risk from coronavirus if you:

• have had an organ transplant
• are having certain types of cancer treatment
• have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
• have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
• have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
• are taking medicine that weakens your immune system
• are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

Pregnancy Advice

Pregnancy advice available from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

Health at home

Webpage that gives you an overview of NHS services that are available, such as how to order repeat prescriptions online and get them delivered.

Public Health England

Guidance on looking after mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employment and Financial Support

The Government has provided advice on employment and financial support: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Well-being and Support

Domestic Violence and Abuse Support   https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk    0800 2000 247   Rights, options and support

Local domestic abuse service for West Sussex 0330 222 8181

MIND     https://www.mind.org.uk/    Mental Health Support

Samaritans   https://www.samaritans.org/   Resources and help for all ages