Dear colleagues, partners and friends of Diabetes UK,

Here at Diabetes UK, we recognise the pressure that the NHS is under during this time of crisis and the stress on healthcare professionals who are yet again, being asked to go above and beyond to respond to the Omicron variant. We are so grateful for everything all healthcare professionals are doing at this difficult time, and hope to support you in any way we can.

We are also concerned about the current backlog of diabetes care, the further delays to addressing this and the impact this will have on people living with diabetes and the NHS in the coming months and years. We have used our insights to develop guidance to help healthcare professionals and local health systems provide the best support for people living with diabetes both during and after this challenging time. This covers how primary care can support people with diabetes, what local health systems can do to support people with diabetes and what Diabetes UK will do to support people with diabetes. You can access the guidance in PDF here: Diabetes care during the coronavirus booster roll out and winter pressures, and all of our resources for healthcare professionals during Covid-19 here.

We know that over the coming months supporting people with self-care is going to be more important than ever, so we’ve provided some key resources and links to information that may help:

• Our North of England Diabetes UK signposting leaflet, provides information about our peer support options, helpline, learning zone and other support and information we offer, and is attached to this email.
• People worried about their risk of developing t2 diabetes can still get information and support, including self-referral into the national diabetes prevention programme, through our website and free online Know Your Risk tool.
• Our guide to t1 diabetes and guide to t2 diabetes are free and available to download or order in hard copy on the links provided.
• Our guide to diabetes and looking after your feet is free and available to download or order in hard copy on the links provided.
• Our guide to eating well with diabetes is free and available to download or order in hard copy on the links provided.
• We also have information about managing diabetes when you are sick.

We are reminding  people It can be helpful to take things one day at a time and remember some of things that you can do to help you manage your diabetes and stay-well, alongside the importance of peer support. Our top tips include:

• Make sure you’re stocked up on all the medications you need while your GP is shut.  
• Be aware of higher blood sugar levels. It is fine to have the occasional spike but try to make sure your blood sugar levels don’t stay too high for too long. 
• Ensure that you have your COVID-19 vaccines and the flu jab, this winter.
• If you can, stay active to help manage your diabetes. We know it’s a little more difficult in the colder months, but there are plenty of ways you can get active at home too.

We also have lots of ways for people to stay connected and find peer support. Whether that’s through our Diabetes UK forum or, if you’re in the North of England, our Friends of the North Facebook group. Finally, we don’t want people to feel guilty about enjoying some Christmas treats! For more information, guidance and support, people can visit www.diabetes.org.uk. 

We’d like to thank everyone again for all that you have done, and are doing, during these difficult times. We hope that you and your loved ones manage to enjoy a safe and happy Christmas, and wish you all the best for 2022.

Pre School Speech and Language

Easy Book Telephone Clinic

If you have concerns about your child's speech, language, or communication skills you can book a telephone appointment with a Speech and Language Therapist.  This will be a 20-minute appointment where we will discuss your concerns and give strategies to help support your child's speech, language, and communication development.

To request and appointment please email:  Hdft.speech.therapy@nhs.net   Or telephone 01423 553122.

Your child must be registered with a GP Surgery in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge or Spring Bank to access this service

Please note:

Feeding / drinking difficulties need to be seen by your GP / Health visitor and if appropriate referred on – unfortunately we cannot advice on feeding difficulties at Easy Book.

Please see our newsletter for latest practice information.

Covid Boosters:

You will be aware that some people are becoming eligible for a Covid Booster vaccination.  This will be available to all those in cohorts 1 – 9 of the JCVI guidance which was used for the first phase of the vaccination programme and will be Pfizer unless a patient suffered a previous allergic reaction to the Pfizer jab:

This will take place no earlier than six months after the second dose was received. All patients over 50 and at least six months post vaccination are being identified and contacted to come forward and there is no need to contact your GP. The NHS will be in touch when you are eligible.

Patients may be contacted by the National Booking Service and invited to book their booster vaccination at a vaccination site or alternatively they can wait to hear from their GP if they would prefer.

If feasible patients may receive their flu and covid booster vaccinations at the same time but if you are invited for one or the other please don't wait – come forward to receive the vaccination that you have been offered to ensure maximum protection.

Some patients will be due a third dose as part of their initial vaccination programme particularly those who are immunocompromised. Hospitals and GP Practices are working together to identify those patients that are eligible for a 3^rd dose. This will be at least 8 weeks following their 2^nd dose and they will then be offered a booster 6 months after the 3^rd dose. The Pfizer vaccine is being used for all 3^rd doses unless there has been an allergic reaction to it previously. This group of patients is complicated to identify and they will be contacted as soon as possible.

You will have seen that as well as all adults, 12 year olds and older are now being offered the vaccination.

• Healthy 12-15 year olds are being vaccinated through school immunisations team and this programme is subject to full consent protocol which is being managed by schools. Healthy 12 to 15 year olds will be offered one dose of the vaccination.
• Twelve to 15 year olds with underlaying health conditions have been offered vaccinations through their GP practice. This group of young people will be offered two doses of the vaccination.
• 16 and 17 year olds can now book through the national vaccination booking service (details above) or by visiting a drop in or walk in centre. This group will be offered one dose of the vaccination

Medicines Management

Your GP Practice supports a medicines management review service of medications prescribed to its patients. This service involves a review of prescribed medications to ensure patients receive the most appropriate, up to date and cost-effective treatments. This service is provided by qualified and registered healthcare professionals from within the GP practice, our NHS Primary Care Network, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group or by external partners approved by the GP practice. Patient identifiable information does not leave the practice system but is accessed to ensure only appropriate clinical recommendations or decisions are made for each patient. Each patient can opt out of (or back into) the practice using their data for anything other than specified purposes or where there is a lawful requirement to do so.

Anyone of any age in mental distress, including children and older people, can now contact their local crisis service on Freephone – 08000 516171.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, callers, including those with learning disabilities and / or autism, are offered a series of options which will divert them to their local crisis service.

The latest newsletter from Healthwatch North Yorkshire has been uploaded to our website and can also be viewed using the link below:

Healthwatch North Yorkshire Spring Newsletter

Welcome to Springbank Health

We are the local GP service for villages between Knaresborough and York, running clinics from our surgeries in Green Hammerton and Tockwith. Please click here for our newsletter which gives more details about us. This edition of the newsletter has health information about keeping the immune system healthy, information about covid-19 vaccinations, links for support for mental health and much more.

Our aim:

As a patient you will be listened to, understood and respected. We are committed to working together to offer you high quality compassionate care. We will always include you in your health decisions and to continually strive for improvement.

Extended Access Service

The Extended Access Service is an extension of your usual primary care practice. It is not a walk-in service – you need to make an appointment.

The Extended Access Service is located at Mowbray Square in Harrogate and North House in Ripon. You can get appointments here up to 8pm weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Information about the new service is available here or contact reception. To download an information leaflet about the service Click here.

The Extended Access Service is not a walk-in service – you need to make an appointment via your registered GP practice. The service is open from 6.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, Saturday mornings at Mowbray Square and North House, and on Sunday mornings at Mowbray Square.

Information about the Extended Access service is available here or contact reception.

Book appointments online

You can book telephone appointments with doctors using the link to online services. You will need to be registered to use this though. If you do not use online access to book appointments or request prescriptions, but would like to do so, please speak to our reception staff. When you book a telephone appointment, the GP will try to call you back as close to the time specified as possible, but it might be a little earlier or a little later that day.

CPR Courses

The Patient Group runs free CPR courses. To book please email arnold@goosemoor.info.

Serving You

Our dedicated team are here for you and we can offer support and treatment for all conditions, from those you may feel are minor to those which are more serious and require specialist management. Please refer to the health information on this website which can guide you to decide who to see. You can make an appointment with one of our highly qualified practice nurses for coughs, colds, urine infections, back pain etc.. and we run clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The receptionists will help you get the most appropriate care. The website also allows you to do a lot from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment. You can also get online access to a summary of you medical record. Please ask reception for details as we need to give you more written information about this.

Partners in Care

Once registered, we will put you and your needs first, with our healthcare professionals working together to ensure the best care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.

CQC

We were pleased that the CQC (Care Quality Commission) gave us an outstanding rating and placed us in the highest band of general practice nationally. You can see more information about the report here.