17 Jan Vaccine Update
**Please do not call the surgery about the Covid vaccine**
14 Jan Vaccine Update
From: Andrew Doyle <AZDoyle@somerset.gov.uk>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021, 14:48
Subject: Vaccination transport information
Dear all,
Some useful information on vaccination transport for those who don’t drive which we’d be grateful if you could share in any newsletters/notices etc – many thanks! Timetables attached for the two Somerset shuttle buses. This is all available here if a link is easier to share: Somerset’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
Help with getting to vaccination appointments
If you have not yet had your vaccination, it might be worth preparing in advance how you will get there. If you are not able to drive yourself, but you have a family member or friend who might be able to support you – it’s always worth having that conversation now.
While many older and more vulnerable people will be able to attend a location close to their home, some will be relying on public transport.
We are working with bus operators and community transport providers to help vulnerable residents to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
- A free Somerset County Council Taunton town centre shuttle service has been launched to get people straight to their vital vaccination slot. The Covid vaccination shuttle bus service runs every 30 minutes from Castle Way in Taunton town centre to Taunton Racecourse. The seven-day a week service uses one of the Council’s fleet of minibuses and will help to support those who don’t drive and will link easily with other operators coming into the town centre. The shuttle service is set to run every day throughout March and April except for the following dates when the vaccination centre is closed for race days: 4, 15 and 23 March; 8 and 21 April.
The new Taunton service starts at 8.20am each day, and will also serve bus stops along South Road and Shoreditch Road on route to the Racecourse. The last bus each day is 6.05pm from the Racecourse. There will be capacity for a maximum of four passengers on each journey due to the need for social distancing. The service is reserved for those who have a pre-booked vaccination appointment at the Racecourse and this will be verified before passengers board the bus. It’s recommended those using the service catch a bus to arrive approximately 10 minutes before their vaccination slot. You can view the timetable here
- First West of England provides a bus service every 30 minutes from Wells Bus Station stopping at Shepton Mallet. The bus service terminates at the Bath and West Showground and operates seven days a week. The service provides connections to and from other bus services at both Wells Bus Station and Shepton Mallet Cenotaph. This service is free for bus pass holders. If you plan to use this bus service, please make sure that you take your appointment letter with you and try to use the timetabled journey which arrives at the Bath and West Showground as close to your appointment time as possible. This will avoid waiting time on site. You can view their vaccination centre travel guide here
- Current concessionary bus pass rules have been suspended so that bus passes can be used on all public services before 9.30am. This came into effect from February 1.
- We are working with Community Transport and Slinky Demand Responsive Services across Somerset to allow free travel for bus pass holders when attending vaccination appointments. You can find information and contact details for Community Transport Services on Travel Somerset
If you are concerned about getting to an appointment or need other help or support during the pandemic, please phone the Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275. Lines are open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.
Best wishes,
Andrew Doyle
Communications Officer
Somerset County Council
Azdoyle@somerset.gov.uk Telephone: 01823 359798 | Mobile: 07977413530
Press Office: 01823 355020 | Website: www.somersetnewsroom.com
11 Jan Vaccine Update
6 Jan
13 December ————-
**** VACCINE NEWS ****
7 December
If you are pregnant you’ll want the best for your baby.
30 November
29 November
26 October
29 September
24 September
We are now taking bookings for annual flu jabs – please contact our Reception Team on 01934 732464 for further details.
10 August
Make your own face covering in a minute.
If you need to go to their GP or pharmacist for a face-to-face appointment should wear a face covering.
28 July
I am sure, like us, you are very relieved that the numbers of positive cases of Coronavirus are still very low in Somerset. With the easing of lockdown measures, it may feel as if things are “getting back to normal”.
However, in line with Public Health England guidance, the surgery is still minimising face-to-face contact in order to keep our patients and our staff safe. This means that our doors remain locked, Wedmore Surgery is still being used as our COVID assessment centre and, if you do need to be seen face-to-face, you will be asked to wear a face covering, your temperature will be checked upon entry and the person you see will be wearing full PPE.
We have had a couple of dissatisfied patients who have been unhappy with these arrangements claiming that they were “ridiculous”. We would like to remind you that Coronavirus hasn’t gone away yet and probably never will.
Our clinicians are not wearing full PPE because they want to. It is a necessity. We are not taking your temperature at the door because we want to take up your time. It is a necessity. We do not ask you to wear a face covering because we don’t want to look at your face. It is a necessity.
Also, we have had a small number of incidents where patients have answered no to all the screening questions at the front door and then, when they have arrived in the room with the clinician, they have disclosed that, in fact, they do have symptoms of Coronavirus.
This triggers a very time consuming and costly protocol which involves deep cleaning of the room and disposal of anything in that room that cannot be cleaned. Please be mindful of the government guidance and, if you have a temperature of 37.8 or above now or in the last seven days, and/or a new and continuous cough and/or a change in taste or smell, stay home and arrange to be tested. This is the only way that we will continue to minimise the spread of the virus.
The Team at Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice
10 July Going out this weekend?
Going to the pub tonight, don’t overdo it.
The more you drink, the less inhibited you feel. You might forget about social distancing and washing your hands. Try not to. And remind your friends.
5 July
1 July
The warmer weather can have its downfalls, – itchy insect bites
the following link gives advise on caring for insect bites and stings
13 June
Do you have a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss of taste or smell?
Stay alert to the symptoms of #coronavirus.
No one in your household should leave home if any one person has symptoms.
Book a test: http://nhs.uk/coronavirus
10 June
Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice
The NHS Test and Trace service has launched.
Everyone in the #Southwest can play a part in controlling the virus, if you:
get coronavirus symptoms
OR
have been in contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus.
Full info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
Wash your hands regularly, with soap and water, to protect yourself against coronavirus.
8 June
7 May
Your midwife and maternity team are still here to support you. If you are worried about your health or the health of your unborn baby, please contact them.
**We are unable to respond to comments on this post. **
** If you have any queries our Reception team can be contacted on 01934 732464 at normal opening times**
25 April
The Somerset Educational Psychology Service is offering families 30min telephone consultations to discuss any concerns about your child/ren during the COVID-19 pandemic.
**We are unable to respond to comments on this post. If you have any queries our Reception team can be contacted on 01934 732464 at normal opening times**
Can I go outside to exercise more than once a day if I need to?
Rethink mental illness article for people severely affected by mental illness during #COVID19 includes new government information about exercise restrictions ?
**We are unable to respond to comments on this post. If you have any queries our Reception team can be contacted on 01934 732464 at normal opening times**
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Have you downloaded the free HANDi app? It helps anyone who looks after children to get instant, expert advice when faced with the most common childhood illnesses. Find out more: www.tsft.nhs.uk/…/handi-paediatric-specialist-advice-when-…/
**Important information about how your GP Practice will be operating in the coming weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic**
As you will be aware, due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, the way in which all NHS services are now being provided has significantly changed.
The practice will be open on Bank Holiday Friday (10th April) and Monday (13th April) for urgent medical problems.
The teams at Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice and Highbridge Medical Centre have come together to provide a strengthened service for our patients.
If you have an urgent medical problem, please telephone your practice in the normal way. The receptionist will take your details and a member of the clinical team will telephone you to discuss your problem. If at all possible, they will try to help you over the telephone or by video consultation. Please only attend the practice if specifically requested to do so by the clinician. You may find that the clinical team managing your care will be different to the team you normally deal with but please be assured that they will have access to your full clinical records.
Thank you for your continued support at this challenging time.
