FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY – avisford.friends@gmail.com
A Message from your Surgery
COVID Measures in the Practice
We are aware of some negative publicity around our practice doors being “closed”. We would like to clarify that practice remains open to all of our patients, but that we are currently asking for patients to call us before coming to the practice and seek confirmation if attendance in person is necessary.
All GP appointments will continue to initially be over the phone and after a clinical need for physical examination is confirmed, we will then book a face-to-face appointment for you. Triage over the phone allows us to minimise footfall into the practice so that both patients and practice staff can be protected from unnecessary exposure to COVID 19, and so that we can then continue to provide services for everyone.
In last few days, two of our GPs and one Health Care Assistant have had to self-isolate following testing positive for COVID 19. The result of this, is that hundreds of potential appointments were lost as a consequence. As you will all be aware, the threat from COVID 19 has not gone away. The NHS, including General Practice, remains very much under pressure.
We would request understanding, and please accept that when contacting the practice for an appointment, initial telephone consultation will be offered in most cases. As mentioned above, if there is a clinical need for a face-to-face appointment, this will then be arrange by the GP while on the phone with an appropriate clinician on a day that is suitable to the patient. This may not be on same day and in some cases it might be appropriate to arrange blood test etc. before making further decisions.
We continue to provide 100s of appointments on the phone and face-to-face on daily basis and the practice is continuously trying to improve access to practice for all our patients. We have been and remain open for appointments.
When attending practice for a face-to-face appointment, we would like to remind patients that wearing a mask remains mandatory in Healthcare settings unless you are exempt. You might be asked by a member of our team the reason for exemption if this is not immediately clear.
Future Events:
All future events such as Health Talks are under review due to the fast changing situation with the Coronavirus. We will be mindful of government advice but will take all decisions with your health and well being in mind. Currently Book Sales have been suspended we hope they can return in 2022.
The 50:50 Club Draw will be for the foreseeable future draws will be held away from the surgery to limit surgery access to essential attendance. For this months winner see:Fundraising 50:50 Draw
We have postponed the free health talks until further notice due to the Covid 19 restrictions. Keep a look out for posters and information around Yapton, Middleton, Felpham and Barnham during 2022. We will try to keep you up to date.
Due to Covid restrictions the 2020 AGM was unable to take place, we will inform you when the AGM for 2021 could be held in a Covid secure way.
Past Events:
On 18th June 2019 we held our AGM and free afternoon tea in Yapton and Ford Village Hall. To read our Annual report go to our Newsletters page.
On Thursday 11thOctober 2018, we held a free health talk – Hearts Matter – Keeping a Healthy Heart. The speaker will be Dr Yuk-ki Wong, Consultant Cardiologist-St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester. Dr Wong talked about maintaining a healthy heart and also common heart conditions. He also introduced us to an on line tool that can highlight your risk factors when you input some basic health information although not a definitive tool it is a quick guide with health tips to follow this can be found at: www.qintervention.org
At the beginning of June we welcomed James Hicks and Angela Birdie to talk about Male & Female Urinary Health. The talk was very well attended and if there is enough interest we may repeat the talk in Yapton in 2020.
In September 2017 we welcomed Mr David Beattie, Consultant Surgeon at St. Richards Hospital, Chichester. He spoke about Varicose Veins prevention and treatment.
In December 2017 we held a Christmas Coffee Morning and Grand Draw. Congratulations to our lucky prize winners and thank you to local businesses who contributed prizes. See our fundraising page for more details.
On 12th April 2018 we welcomed Amy Keates, Nikki Anderson, Clinical Care Outreach Nurses and Simon Higgs 3 specialist speakers on the subject of Sepsis from St Richards Hospital, Chichester. They gave an excellent talk on this important subject and shared how they are working to raise awareness of this life threatening condition. They also shared information about the Sepsis Trust
We would be pleased to receive suggestions for future health talks, please drop a note in to either surgery or email avisford.friends@gmail.com