Noticeboard

Non Attendances

Unfortunately we had a total of 42  patients missed appointments in January 2025 which has resulted in 11 hours of wasted appointment time. Missed appointments cause the waiting times for an appointment to be much longer than necessary. 

Patients will be removed from the practice list if they continue to miss appointments. 

You can cancel your appointments by phone, email or by using your online services app. 

Changes to NHS app minimum device requirements

The minimum software version required to run the NHS app is changing on 3 February 2025.

Following this date, the minimum operating system required to run the NHS app will be:

  • Apple iOS 15 and above

  • Android version 8 and above
     

This means that devices running software versions lower than this will no longer be able to use the NHS app. This will affect people who use the following versions of iOS and Android operation systems:
 

  • iOS 12

  • Android 6

  • Android 7

These users will not be able to access the NHS App via the app on their phones and will need to access the NHS App via their web browser. 

Please visit Technical issues with the NHS App - NHS App help and support - NHS  for more information and help. 

Employment Support in Primary Care IPS

IPS are specialists in supporting people who have experienced mental and physical illness to find employment at a pace that works for them.

If you are thinking about fi nding full or part-time work, or would like more
information around employment you can ask to be referred to your local
Employment Specialist by a member of your Primary Care Network team.
Alternatively you can self-refer by emailing epunft.ipsinprimarycare@nhs.net

Employment Support in Primary Care IPS

Employment Support in Primary Care IPS Retention

GetUbetter  

Need help with your muscle or joint problems?
NHS South East Essex MSK app is now available to all patients. It’s a FREE, easy-to-use tool helping you to self-manage your muscle, bone, and joint (MSK) injuries and
conditions.

For more information please visit the GetUbetter section on our website: GetUBetter

National data opt-out

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs

Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by calling 0300 3035678.

By 2020 all health and care organisations are required to be compliant with the national data opt-out policy. NHS Digital and Public Health England are already compliant and are applying national data opt-outs. 

Flu Vaccinations

What is Seasonal Flu?

Seasonal flu occurs every year, usually in the winter. It’s a highly infectious disease caused by a number of flu viruses. The most likely viruses that will cause flu each year are identified in advance and vaccines are then produced to closely match them.

As with most seasonal flu vaccines, this year’s vaccine will protect against three types of flu virus.

What harm can seasonal Flu do?

People sometimes think a bad cold is flu, but having flu can be much worse than a cold and you may need to stay in bed for a few days if you have flu.

Some people are more susceptible to the effects of seasonal flu. For them it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. In the worst cases, seasonal flu can result in a stay in hospital, or even death.

Do you need the Flu Vaccination?

Even if you feel healthy, you should definitely consider having the free seasonal flu vaccination if you have:



    • a heart problem

    • a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema

    • a kidney disease

    • lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)

    • a liver disease

    • had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

    • diabetes

    • a neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy

    • a problem with your spleen, for example sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed.



You should also have the seasonal flu vaccination if you are:



    • aged 65 years or over

    • living in a residential or nursing home

    • the main carer of an older or disabled person

    • a frontline health or social care worker, or

    • pregnant (see the next section).



For more information see SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION:Who should have it and Why



 
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