Tag Archives: GP practice

General practice information campaign launches today

Your GP surgery team cares for you – that’s the message from our new public communication campaign, launching today.

The campaign aims to explain the changes in general practice in recent years, and what they mean for the public.

It showcases how GP surgeries continue to provide the same level of care they always have, and are working hard to ensure everyone receives the right support when they need it, whether that’s a face-to-face appointment, a phone consultation or a video call.

It also aims to highlight the range of healthcare professionals now based at local surgeries, including nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists, and physiotherapists. It explains their roles, what they can do for patients, and how they work as part of the general practice team.

The campaign is being run by One Care and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB).

Ruth Taylor, Chief Executive for One Care, said: “General practice has seen a number of significant changes recently, including the introduction of digital and online services, and the integration of different healthcare professionals into general practice.

“We want to help the public understand how their GP surgery team is here for them throughout their lives, and how their GP surgery provides them with proactive, personalised and convenient care.”

As well as activity across social and traditional media, the campaign features a microsite with information about the changes in general practice, and explanations about the roles of the different healthcare professionals patients may see at their GP surgery.

Later this month, campaign adverts featuring staff and patients from practices across BNSSG will start to appear on buses across the area.

For more information about the campaign, or to find out how you can support it, please email enquiries@onecare.org.uk.

Accept your invitation to the flu vaccine

Our local NHS is encouraging the population to take up the flu vaccine this winter.

Following the interventions put in place for Covid-19, such as mask wearing, social distancing and restricted international travel, the cases of flu were extremely low globally in 2020 to 2021. As a result, fewer people are expected to be immune to flu between 2021 and 2022.

Projections indicate the 2021 to 2022 flu season could be 50 per cent larger than typically seen and it is also possible for people to suffer from flu earlier than usual.

Adding to the pressures already faced by the NHS, the coming winter will be the first in the UK when the flu virus (and other respiratory viruses) will exist alongside Covid-19, with there also being the possibility for both viruses to coincide.

Flu vaccinations are therefore an important priority to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the virus, and to reduce hospitalisations during a time when the NHS and social care may also be managing winter outbreaks of Covid-19.

Video credit to ITV West Country

The following groups are eligible to receive their flu vaccinations this year:

  • Carers – young or adult
  • Health and social care workers
  • Residential Care home staff
  • Household contact of those in the NHS shieled list and immunocompromised individuals
  • At risk school aged children
  • All 2-3 year olds
  • Any individuals in at-risk groups
  • Over-50s

If you are eligible for the free flu vaccine, you may get it either from your own GP practice, once you are invited, or any pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccinations.

For more information on the flu vaccination, click here.