Newsflash from NHS Kernow
24 August 2021
Important changes to routine and non-urgent blood test appointments
All GP practices are affected by the current national shortage of blood tubes and are taking urgent steps alongside our hospitals to prioritise their use for people with the greatest clinical need. This includes testing for serious conditions such as cancer.
We are following national guidance which has been issued in response to the shortage. As a result, we need to cancel and delay a number of patient appointments for blood tests deemed routine or non-urgent. If you have a routine blood test appointment the reception team at the surgery will be in touch directly if they need to cancel your appointment, this will be by phone or by text message.
Please be assured that appointments will be rescheduled once the situation has improved, and in line with national guidance. There are a few things you can do if you are affected by this change:
- keep checking our website for regular updates; we will be sharing the latest patient information here as soon as we receive it
- check your phone for messages from us; we will also be using our patient text service to keep people informed
- please don’t call or contact us with questions about routine blood tests; we are experiencing exceptional levels of demand at the moment, and your cooperation will help us to reach those without smartphone or internet access with this critical information
- do get in touch online if your condition worsens or changes so that we can prioritise your blood test if necessary following clinical review
The changes are likely to be in place for at least 4 weeks. We will keep all our patients regularly updated as the national situation changes. We fully understand the frustration this is likely to cause, and apologise for the inconvenience.
Kernow CCG statement 18 Aug 2021 re demand
All our health services are busy right now, especially our ambulance service and the emergency department team at Truro hospital.
You can play your part in supporting us to care for people with serious and life-threatening illnesses.
Did you know you know you can get help and advice by calling 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk? You may not need to go and wait in our busy emergency department and could be directed to a minor injury unit which will be quicker and closer to home.
Only dial 999 for an ambulance in a genuine, life-threatening emergency, for example:
- Chest pain / breathing difficulties / heart attack
- Stroke
- Severe bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns or scalds
- Serious head injuries
- Major trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from height
If you have called for an ambulance, please do not ring again asking for a time of arrival. Only call again if:
- The patient’s condition worsens
- You no longer need our help
The call handlers must prioritise speaking to the most seriously injured and unwell patients.
If you don’t think it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency:
- Call your own GP. Even if you are in Cornwall on holiday, you could get a phone or video consultation with your doctor at home.
- Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to get expert advice and be signposted to where you can get the best and nearest care for your needs.
- Ask a pharmacist for advice – they’re experts in treating minor health issues like colds, urinary infections, stomach upsets, aches and pains.
For further information please visit NHS Kernow CCG at https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well/
Important information regarding week beginning July 19th
We’ve had some enquires from patients about whether there will be any changes to the surgery from 19th July.
Due to the rising Covid-19 cases in Cornwall, and throughout the UK, we have a duty of care to our patients and staff to keep everyone as safe as possible
On July 19th we will NOT be changing how we operate
This means patients must continue to:
• Wear a mask (or visor if exempt) when visiting our surgeries
• Book appointments and speak to doctors via telephone triage
• Follow social distancing within our surgeries
We would like to reassure our patients that we have been seeing patients face-to-face throughout all the lockdowns and we will continue to do so. However this will happen only after a telephone consultation with a clinician.
We’d also like to remind everyone that just because you are vaccinated, this does not mean you cannot catch, carry and transmit the virus.
By continuing these practices, we can maintain our service and continue to look after all of our patients throughout this continuing pandemic.
The Clays Practice would like to thank you all for your understanding and patience during these unprecedented times.
COVID-19 Vaccine update
Update: 5th July 2021
Covid-19 Vaccinations
For those patients who have not had their first vaccine yet, Kernow CCG are running various walk-in Clinics around the county. Please click here and check Kernow CCG's website to see an up to date list of the various locations across Cornwall
If you had your first vaccination on or before the 8th May 2021 you can now book your second by either calling 119 or clicking here and booking online.
With the number of Covid-19 cases rising throughout the county please stay safe and follow the government guidelines.
COVID-19 Vaccine status proof
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:
It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use this service.
If you cannot access the online services, and you have had 2 vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel abroad in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.
When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get proof of your vaccination status before you leave.
Online Services
The Clays Practice are offering various forms of online GP services. Please read below for details of each service.
NEW SERVICE: See a GP by video with Livi. Even at the weekend.
Patients of The Clays Practice can now see an NHS GP by video using Livi. Get medical advice, prescriptions and referrals on the same day – both on weekdays, out of hours between 18.30pm - 22.00pm, and at weekends between 8.00am - 16.00pm. The service is provided free on the NHS.
You can download the Livi app to your mobile phone or tablet, from the App Store or Google Play. Or visit livi.co.uk for more information.
Livi GPs are all GMC-registered NHS GPS, who (with your consent) will be able to access your medical records and give you a considered, in-depth diagnosis based on your medical history.
Get the Livi app here: https://bit.ly/35YeCsK
eConsult is a service available Monday to Friday (exc Bank Holidays). It is for people who want advice from their doctor, self-help information or have an administrative request. Please click on the blue box below to start:
*The NHS App*
We are now suggesting that patients download the NHS app (available via App Stores), where you can order medication, view medical records and your Covid-19 vaccine status. Click here for more information on the NHS App
You can also order medication via either:
Please allow two/three full working days for your order and note that orders requested after 2.00pm will not be processed until the next working day.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms
Stay at home if you have either:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.
Read the NHS advice about staying home, including how long to isolate for.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
Use the 111 coronavirus service
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
For region specific information and advice in:
The Clays Practice
Welcome to our Practice, which covers the area commonly known as the “Clays Area”.
Our main site at Roche is open from 08.30-12:45 and 13:30-18.00
Our surgeries at St Dennis and Bugle are open every morning until noon.
Our surgery premises are as follows:
| Clays Area Health Centre | Victoria Road, Roche, St Austell, PL26 8JF |
| Bugle Surgery | Roche Road, Bugle, PL26 8PP |
| St Dennis Surgery | Fore Street, St Dennis, PL26 8AD |
Telephone Contact:
Telephone - (08:00 - 18:30) - 01726 890 370
If you call between 08:00 and 08:30 or 18:00 and 18:30, you will be able to speak to our message handling service.
Out of Hours Service (18:30 - 08:00): 111
(Site updated 23/09/2021)