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COVID Vaccines 2022

Unfortunately due to regional supply issues we are no longer planning to deliver COVID Vaccines at Parkway Medical Group.

Please contact 119 or go on line https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

New online mental health service launches in Newcastle and Gateshead

A new free, safe and anonymous online mental health service is now available for people living in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Togetherall is a place where you can safely voice your feelings and connect with others for your wellbeing. The service is available 24/7 and moderated by mental health professionals and led by an on-duty clinical team to ensure users are safe and supported.

Togetherall is the latest in a series of new mental health services commissioned for local people. It follows the recent launch of a mental health support line operated by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind (every day 8am to 10pm (age 16+) on 0330 174 3174 (charged at local rate), as well as the Qwell online counselling and emotional wellbeing service.

Weight Management group

Diabetes group poster

COVID-19 Vaccination - summary of vaccine schedule

	Cohort	First Dose	Second Dose	Third dose	Booster
Over 18	- Age 40 and over - Health social care staff - carers of elderly/disabled person - age 18 and over living with immunosuppressed - person age 18-64 in at risk group (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer or Moderna AZ suitable for those 40+ only	Same vaccine as first dose, 8-week interval	Not unless contacted by specialist or GP practice	3 months after 2^nd dose, either Pfizer or half-dose Moderna
	Immunosuppressed age 18 and over (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer or Moderna	Same vaccine as first dose, 8-week interval	Pfizer or Moderna. Specialist will contact Pt and advise timing of 3^rd dose	3 months after 3^rd dose, either Pfizer or half-dose Moderna
	18-39 not in at risk group (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer or Moderna	Same vaccine as first dose, 8-week interval	Not recommended currently	3 months after 3^rd dose, either Pfizer or half-dose Moderna
Under 18	Immunosuppressed age 12-15 (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 8-week interval	Pfizer. Specialist will contact Pt and advise timing of 3^rd dose	3 months after 3^rd dose, Pfizer
	Immunosuppressed age 16-17 (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 8-week interval	Pfizer. Specialist will contact Pt and advise timing of 3^rd dose	3 months after 3^rd dose, Pfizer
	12–15-year-olds in at risk group- table 4 Green book chapter 14a, including contacts of immunosuppressed person (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 8-week interval	Not recommended currently	3 months after 2^nd dose, Pfizer
	Age 16-17 at in an at risk group (table 3 Greenbook) (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 8-week interval	Not recommended currently	3 months after 2^nd dose, Pfizer
	Age 12–15 not in higher risk group (12-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 12-week interval	Not recommended currently	Not recommended currently
	Age 16-17 not in higher risk group (12-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 30 microgram	Pfizer, 12-week interval	Not recommended currently	3 months after 2^nd dose, Pfizer
	Immunosuppressed age 5-11	Pfizer 10 microgram	Pfizer, 8 week interval	Still in development	Still in development
	Age 5-11 in a clinical risk group, or household contact of immunocompromised (4-week deferral after Covid +ve)	Pfizer 10 microgram	Pfizer, 8 week interval	Not recommended currently	Not recommended currently
	Age 5-11 not in a higher risk group	Pfizer 10 microgram WAITING FOR PROTOCOL	Pfizer, 12 week interval WAITING FOR PROTOCOL	Not recommended currently	Not recommended currently

COVID - 19 - changes to rules 24.2.2022

From the 24th February 2022 you will still be required to wear a mask when entering the practice unless you are exempt. The guidance is from NHS England and is a requirement across all NHS services.

bekind

Small acts of kindness, such as a ‘thank you’, can make a positive impact on someone’s day, and help staff feel valued about the difference they are making to people’s lives. However, some NHS staff have experienced abuse from people, which has impacted on their mental health. This is not ok.

Clinics

Services

Long term Conditions (YOC)

Medical Students

Non-NHS Services/Private Fees

NHS Screening

Ways2Wellness

Vaccination & Travel Services

Clinical Nurse Practitioner.

Angela is a highly skilled Advanced Clinical Nurse Practitioner and manages acute (new onset) and urgent conditions.

The Reception staff may need to ask why someone needs an appointment. This is to enable the appropriate people to be seen by either a GP or an Advanced Clinical Nurse Practitioner.

Angela is able to treat the following conditions:

Abscesses Acute Abdominal Pain Acute Asthma Acute Back Pain Boils Cellulitis Chest Infection

Child Conjunctivitis Adult Constipation

Cough

Cystitis Diarrhoea and Vomiting Dizziness Earache Eczema Emergency Contraception Eye Infections Heartburn

Acute Hip Pain Impetigo/Other Skin Conditions Infected Wounds Ingrown Toenails Knee Injuries Mumps Acute Nose Bleeds Rashes

Shingles Sinusitis Sore Throat

Swollen Lips

Raised Temperatures Urinary-Tract Infections (Water Infections) Vaginal Discharge Vomiting Wound Infections

Clinics

In addition to GP consultations the practice adheres to the General Medical Services Contract for the provision of healthcare services:

Essential Services

Asthma
COPD
Coronary heart disease
Diabetes

Additional Services

Cervical smears
Contraceptive services
Child health surveillance
Maternity Services
Minor surgery
Vaccinations and immunisations

Primary Care Network Services

First contact Physio - direct booking
First contact Mental health - direct booking
Social Prescribing
Counselling
Dietician

Cervical Smears

We strongly advise regular smears (up to the age of 65). These can be done either with the practice nurse or at a normal appointment with the doctor.

Chiropody

This is available for people who can no longer care for their own feet and have no one who can do this for them, for those with feet problems or for patients with complications from diabetes. Referral is required by the doctor, please ask at reception.

Continence

Run by the district nurses, for all those with continence problems. Appointment needed.

Contraception

We offer a fully confidential service for all age groups.

Counselling

Counselling is provided by Newcastle Talking Helps. The service offers a range of talking therapies, advice, information and support. Talking therapies can help you to understand and work through your difficult feelings and develop strategies for coping better. The best therapy will depend on your particular situation.

You can make a referral either through the surgery or direct self-referral by ringing 0191 282 6600 or visit their website where you can also do a self-referral.

Health Care for the Armed Forces

Hospital medical care for service personnel is provided by the NHS and we want to ensure that past and present members of services get the care that they deserve. If you have ever served in the forces please let the practice know and we will mark your records accordingly so that you can get appropriate treatment. If you have a health problem that might be related to your service please let the doctor or nurse know. There is further information available about this on our veterans page.

Health Checks

The surgery no longer participates in the NHS health checks programme which is now managed by the Public Health Department of Newcastle Council. Patients over 75 are entitled to a health check in the surgery on reasonable request. Patients who are housebound and request a check will be visited at home.

Ill Children

We understand parents' concerns when children are ill, especially if this is sudden. We will offer an ill child aged 5 or under a same-day appointment. This is likely to be quicker than waiting at A&E.

Our CCG has produced the Little Orange Book giving excellent advice on helping babies and young children when they are poorly. We recommend it to all parents.

Non-NHS Examinations

You can arrange DVLA and insurance medicals with the receptionists. They will tell you the fee involved.

Physiotherapy

We have access to First Contact Physio, based at Denton Park Medical Centre and Throckley Medical Centre. Physiotherapy is also available by self-referral through Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Services

Smoking Cessation

Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to improve your health. Any of the doctors or nurses can give you advice about the benefits of stopping and how you can improve your chances of giving up. Smoking cessation services are available through local pharmacies and through Change Grow Live

Vaccinations

You can arrange to have any vaccination required, including vaccination for travel abroad (usually there is no charge for this service). Travel vaccination and health advice is available from the Practice Nurses. You can request travel advice from the surgery by completing a Travel Questionnaire.

Young People

We take the health concerns of young people seriously, and understand that you may want to see the doctor on your own even if you are under 16. Please ring or call at reception to book an appointment - you don't have to tell the receptionist what it is about. Consultations are fully confidential (unless the doctor thinks you or someone else is in danger). Remember you can also ask your School Nurse about any health queries; she too provides a confidential service. Further information is available on our teenagers page.

Long term Conditions (Year of Care)

Are you living with a long term condition?

We are changing the way we organise appointments and provide support for people who have long term conditions by putting in place a new way of working called care and support planning.

What is care and support planning? This way of working aims to give you the opportunity to get more out of your annual review appointments by reorganising the way things happen and giving you more information before you see your nurse or doctor. It should help you to talk about:

What is important to you
What you can do to look after your health and stay well
What support you may need

Who is it for?

Anyone with a long term condition like: Diabetes, Heart Failure, Stroke, Atrial Fibrilation, Coronary Heart Disease and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

For further information, please contact the Practice and ask to speak to our Patient Care Coordinator.

Why change things?

This way of working is being put into place across a number of surgeries in the area and is nearly always preferred by patients. It will help both you and the doctor or nurse make the best use of the time you have in your care and support planning appointment. All the important tests and results needed at your appointment will be available to you before the appointment as well as an opportunity to think through what questions you want to ask and identify your key concerns which you want to talk about.

What does this mean for me?

This means that your care and support planning review will usually take place over two separate appointments and you will have time to think about what you want to get out of these visits.

What happens at the first appointment?

At the first appointment you will be asked to attend the surgery to have any checks or tests (e.g. blood tests, breathing tests) done with a Nurse or healthcare assistant. (The healthcare professional will book your next appointment which will be with a Doctor or Nurse)

What happens next?

Your test results from this appointment will be posted or emailed to you with an explanation of what they mean. There will also be a space on the letters for you to make notes. This will give you a chance to think about what you would like to talk about at your care and support planning appointment. It`s helpful if you bring this letter with you.

What happens at the care and support planning appointment?

At your care and support planning appointment you will be able to ask questions and talk about what's important to you and your doctor or nurse will raise any issues they are concerned about. Once you both agree on one or two main things to work on, you will get the chance to work out a plan and identify any support you need to help you look after your health.

Medical Students

We are a teaching practice and students sometimes sit in with the doctors and nurses. If you prefer not to have a student sitting in, please let the doctor or receptionist know.

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms
Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
Private sick notes
Vaccination certificates
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

Please click on the link below for our current private fees.

Private Fees - updated September 2021

NHS Screening Programmes

Screening is a way of finding out if people are at higher risk of a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help you make informed decisions.

Information on the following screening programmes is available on this page:

Health screening for trans and non-binary people
Cervical screening (smear)
Diabetic eye screening
Breast screening (mammogram)
Bowel cancer screening
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (AAA)
Pregnancy screening & screening for new-born babies

1. Health screening for trans and non-binary people

Depending on the gender which you are registered as at the Practice, you may or may not automatically be invited in for some health screening programmes, such as cervical screening or abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and may need to contact us to request a referral or book an appointment to discuss this with your GP.

For more information on health screening for trans and non-binary people (used here as an umbrella term) please view the NHS leaflet by clicking HERE.

2. Cervical screening

Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 26 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.

The screening is in the form of a cervical smear. Appointments are available with the Practice Nurse.

For more information about cervical screening click HERE.

There is an Easy Read online leaflet available - click HERE.

3. Diabetic eye screening

From the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual diabetic eye test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Patients will be called by the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Department at the RVI.

For more information about diabetic eye screening click HERE.

4. Breast screening (mammograms)

Breast screening is offered every 3 years to women and people with breasts aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer.

The local Breast Screening Programme invites patients in every 3 years in groups according to their GP Practice. This means that all eligible patients registered with us will be called in at the same time every 3 years, so if you have just turned 50 you may not get invited in straight away.

The most recent screening for Parkway Medical Group patients was in October 2017, so the next screening is due in October 2020, however this may be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you do have any concerns about breast cancer, please book an appointment with the GP.

For more information about breast screening click HERE.

There is an Easy Read online leaflet available - click HERE.

5. Bowel cancer screening

Breast screening is offered to people aged 55 and over and helps to check if you are at risk of bowel cancer. There are two different types of screening offered – bowel scope screening, or the home testing kit.

If you do have any concerns about bowel cancer, please book an appointment with the GP.

For more information about bowel cancer screening click HERE.

There is an Easy Read online leaflet available - click HERE.

6. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (AAA)

AAA screening is offered to men in their 65th year to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (a dangerous swelling in the aorta). Men over 65 can self-refer by calling the screening co-ordinators on 0151 706 4767 – please note you will need to know your NHS number, which you can get by contacting the Practice.

If you are a women or a man under the age of 65 and you think you might have a higher risk of AAA (for example, because a close family member has had one) then book an appointment to discuss this with your GP.

For more information about AAA screening click HERE.

7. Pregnancy screening & screening for new-born babies

Pregnant women are offered the following types of screening:

Screening for infectious disease such as Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis
Screening for Down’s syndrome, Patau’s syndrome and Edward’s syndrome
Screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
Screening for physical abnormalities (med-pregnancy scan)

Screening offered for new-born babies:

New-born physical examination
New-born hearing screening
New-born blood spot screening

For more information about pregnancy screening & screening for new-born babies click HERE.

This service aims to help and support people aged between 30 and 74 with managing their long term conditions and lead a healthier lifestyle. Speak to your GP for a referral.

This service is offered in the practice and there is no travelling involved.

For more information click on link below

https://waystowellness.org.uk/

Vaccinations

Certain vaccinations are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS depending on their age or circumstances.

Click HERE for the full NHS immunisation schedule to check if you are up to date with your vaccinations.

MMR Vaccination

MMR vaccination is routinely given to children as part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme. It can also be given to older children and adults and babies over six months of age that need to be protected against measles, mumps and rubella and/or in the event of a measles outbreak.

Measles can cause very serious illness, and spreads very easily. The MMR vaccine has been shown across the world to be a safe and effective way of preventing measles. It can protect your child and others against measles infection and its serious consequences.

To find out more about the vaccination, please click HERE.

Flu Vaccination

The seasonal influenza vaccination is offered annually to people age 65 and over, pregnant women, and people who have an underlying health condition such as diabetes, heart disease or COPD. In recent years the vaccination as also been offered to children ages 2 to 10.

By having the flu vaccination, you reduce your risk of catching flu and becoming seriously unwell, and also reduce the risk of you spreading flu to others.

To find out more about the vaccination, please click HERE.

Shingles Vaccination

The purpose of the Shingles vaccination programme is to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles disease in older people. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is a common disease that can cause long-lasting, severe pain. It can cause permanent disability, and it occurs more frequently in those over 70 years old, who are also more likely to have worse symptoms.
All eligible patients will receive letters to book an appointment, if they would like to be vaccinated.

To find out more about the vaccination, and to check if you are eligible, please click HERE.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccination provides protection against pneumococcal infections which can cause very serious illness such as pneumonia and septicaemia. It is offered to people age 65 and over, and people who have an underlying health condition such as insulin- or medication-controlled diabetes, liver disease, or COPD.

Most people only have to have this vaccination once, however people with kidney disease, asplenia (no spleen), splenic dysfunction or coeliac disease require re-immunisation every 5 years.

To find out more about the vaccination, please click HERE.

Vaccines and Porcine Gelatine

For information about porcine gelatine and its use in vaccines, please view the online leaflet from Public Health England by clicking HERE.

Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Private travel consultations and vaccinations are normally available from Boots.

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Caribbean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click:- http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_glance/86/en.pdf (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view)

Travel Questionnaire

All patients booking in for travel advice please complete the questionnaire below in preparation for your appointment. Thank you.

Travel Questionnaire

Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency