News
Welcome to Birley Health Centre's news page.
For up to date news the best place is on https://www.facebook.com/BirleyHealthCentreSheffield
We are aware that through this pandemic, we have not been able to see you as much as we would like. You may feel out of touch. We also recognise that the changes have been significant in our health centre and the NHS and the need for communication has grown.
We are committed to quality care for our patients and responding to your feedback. Part of this is to improve our communication with you. Hopefully the Facebook page will be a part of that, even if you need to register or get updates from family members. We realise that not everyone is on Facebook and we will try to include the highlights monthly on this news page.
All the best from your Birley Health Centre team.
Covid vaccine update 4/2/20
If you are over 70 and not been offered a vaccine, now is the time to contact us.
We are doing 1000 vaccinations this Sat 6th and Monday 8th.
We are expecting another large delivery of 2000 vaccines towards the end of next week and our aim to offer a vaccine by text or phone call to everyone in the top 4 priority groups as in the link below.
We have lists of all our patients in these groups and will be sending invitations by text and phone call. However most people over 70 should have been offered a vaccine by now. Please do contact us if you or do someone you know who is over 70 is yet to be contacted.
Please contact us the usual way through the following link to AskmyGP which is preferable to calling if possible. https://www.birleyhealthcentre.co.uk/appointments
Recommended health related books
With the dark nights and lock down, one positive thing that some people do is reading.
Over the next few weeks, we will share recommended health related books on topics such general well-being, child-parent relationships, menopause, end of life, grief and sleep. On facebook it is simply a list of titles. However there is a paragraph about each book at https://www.birleyhealthcentre.co.uk/self-help-resources
To generate this list, we have personally asked 1000’s of doctors and patients for their recommendations so hopefully it is a pretty rich list. Feel free to share with anyone may be interested.
The time health professionals have to spend with each person may unfortunately feel too short. It does to us too! Books can distill hours of expert wisdom that can benefit those who enjoy reading. We have not personally read all these books, so we can't endorse everything they say. The list is also not exhaustive.
Mass Vaccination Ventres
NHS England are writing patients to invite them to attend for a covid vaccination at one of the mass vaccination centres which will likely be at FlyDSA Arena in Attercliffe.
As with our vaccinations, they will be offered in priority order and the offer is in addition to the vaccine program we are running at Beighton.
If you would prefer to attend locally for your vaccine instead, that will still be possible, please wait for the practice to contact you as you are doing already.
COVID vaccine FAQs
Stop smoking service
A quick plug for the service in Sheffield that supports people to stop smoking and their short video.
It can take a few tries to quit smoking for good. But you’re a step closer to success each time you try. Make your next quit attempt this year. Text 'YSF' to 80800 to speak to a stop smoking advisor. You're 3 times more likely to quit with their support.
South Yorkshire Community Transport
South Yorkshire Community Transport providers offer a free return journey to a Covid-19 vaccination site for priority groups.
To book a ride to and from a vaccination site with Door-2-Door services in South Yorkshire, passengers must call once they have their vaccine appointment.
Sheffield Community Transport - 0114 285 9906
They should try to give as much notice as possible and at least one or two days before the journey itself. Operators will work hard to accommodate as many people as possible, but places are limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
COVID vaccine update 17/1
We are part way through the first 1000 Pfizer vaccines. We have another 1000 Pfizer arriving tomorrow and another 1000 Pfizer AND 1200 Oxford on Thursday. We will continue vaccinating daily at least through to Sunday 24th.
Our initial Covid vaccination clinics filled up very quickly. For those of you who you received a text message but were unable to book, please try again later today as we will be adding further clinics.
If you are over 75 years old and still haven't heard from us please do not worry. We will be contacting you very soon.
We will be using the Oxford vaccines for >75 housebound patients. With our vaccinators giving 3000 vaccines a week, it helps us enormously if mobile patients can find a way to get to Beighton, even if this is inconvenient.
However any patients who lack the mobility to leave their home will of course be vaccinated with a home visit. When we contact you, we will make a plan on the phone.
Thanks for all the kind and supportive messages, it's been great for all involved to feel the community is behind them!
Video of Beighton vaccine site
We've made a video of a walk through of what to expect if you are getting a COVID vaccine at Beighton.
We are aware from our facebook group that there is some anxiety about the logistics of getting the jab. It is an unfamiliar surgery, many people struggle with mobility, have not been out of the house much and there are lots of unknowns.
Dr Allen made a video at Beighton today. It is not the best quality, but hopefully it will give you a little more information about what to expect and how to plan for it to go well if you are going yourself or taking someone in the next few weeks.
Please share it, especially with anyone over 70 and attends a GP at Birley, Hackenthrope, Sothall and Beighton, Crystal Peaks or Mosborough.
Again, you will need to be invited. Please do not contact your surgery, they will contact you and are working through in the order of priorities we have been given.
Many people have found it to be a positive and even emotional experience. All the best to anyone going this week!
Why Beighton?
We have had the following 2 very good and related questions about 'Why Beighton, why not vaccinate at Birley?
1) 'Could you tell us why so many practices have been grouped together for the covid vaccine and why a practice with such poor access ie.parking was chosen. With so many practices combined it will take longer for patients to receive the vaccine.' AND
2) 'Mindful that some people are not fully mobile, do not have use of cars may not be fully conversant with public transport routes etc...Can you please explain why the vaccine is not being administered at BHC?'
Our answer
All the local practices wanted to do it at their own practice! Grouping practices together is a national strategy out of our hands. We can only speculate about why. However giving a vaccine at -80 degrees is a specialist situation that we can't all do individually.
The factor limiting the number of vaccinations is not that batches are shared between multiple practices, but supply of vaccine. We're willing to give them out as quick as we get them.
The choice of venue is also complex. Partly again, out of our hands. NHS wanted a medical building for good reasons. If we gave one surgery the vaccinating role for all 6 surgeries, it could compromise care for that practice and overwhelm staff. Given all the factors, Beighton was an available medical building that seemed overall the best from the options we had.
National strategy does change. As the Oxford vaccine is less complex to store and give, there is speculation that this could be more practically achieved back at Birley. But again, that is out of our hands for now.
We are not going to get everything perfect. It is a very challenging scenario all around and many surgeries around the country simply declined to participate for many good reasons. The team is committed to doing the best job we can and we hope we can vaccinate from Birley at some point!
Covid vaccine update 15/1
Our first batch of vaccines have arrived! Around 1000 people are booked into Beighton from tomorrow (Sat) until Monday. The preparations have been a challenge but are all going as planned.
The other exciting news is that we have been offered another 1-2 deliveries, each of 1000 vaccines, for next week (beginning 18/1). We have agreed to deliver these also. We will be contacting many of our patients aged over 75 in the next few days to offer them the vaccine.
We would ask again that you don't contact us to check when you will be having it, or to ask questions about the specific vaccines you will be having. We will continue to work through in the priority that we have been given, by calling and texting patients. This is when we'll be able to answer any questions you may have.
Giving 3000 vaccines in 1 week will be a significant undertaking for our staff. The GP surgery will continue to function but we will have to prioritise patients that can not wait until the following week. We apologise in advance for anyone who experiences disruption as a result.
We hope the experience of getting the vaccine will be simple and positive for all involved!
Warning regarding fraudulent messages regarding the covid vaccination
We are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination.
Coronavirus vaccines are only available on the NHS. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, or a GP surgery local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.
- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police online or by calling 101.
AskmyGP as an App
We've had questions about using AskmyGP as an app. The initial way to use AskmyGP is through your web browser ie Chrome. However with this, notifications come via your email only.
There is a way to make it function as an app on your phone with notifications. You will not find this in an 'app store'. However this link below may enable you to get the app functioning. It works on android, apple and windows.
If anyone is struggling, we can try and help. However the experts are probably some of our patients now!
COVID-19 vaccination first phase priority groups
This explains COVID-19 vaccination first phase priority groups if this is helpful. I hope we can keep you updated with where we are up to. Currently waiting for vaccines for priority 1 and 2. These people can expect us to be in touch.
First line workers need to ask their employers for the vaccine.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-care-home-and-healthcare-settings-posters/covid-19-vaccination-first-phase-priority-groups?fbclid=IwAR04HIGD6aV8QjOKkhMdbDJTEgWQ3MhNOP7bXYfCT1aZRuqtsj_81O6LDbo
COVID vaccine update 8/1/21
We have now had confirmation that we are due to take delivery of our first batch of Covid vaccinations.
We will be running our first clinics on the 16th, 17th and 18th January.
Clinics will be at Beighton Medical Centre S20 1BJ.
Directions for the site are found here: https://drive.google.com/…/1h8GkgVklTqOQgf5z2De4N71Js…/view…
We will contact eligible patients by text or phone so there is no need to ring reception to book an appointment. Please do not ring to try and arrange a vaccination. We will contact you.
There is a strict priority list set by government and we will be following this closely.
Please do not worry if you don’t manage to have a vaccination in this first clinic. We are expecting the supply of vaccinations to quickly increase and we have been working hard to ensure that we can provide more and more appointments as this happens.
There is limited parking and waiting around Beighton Medical Centre so when you attend for a vaccination please don’t arrive early and please leave promptly after the 15 minute observation time that is required after your vaccination.
At the medical centre there will be strict social distancing measures in place. There are no refreshments available and patient toilet facilities will not normally be accessible on site so please be prepared for this.
You may have to que outside prior to your vaccination especially at busy times. The 15 minute observation area is inside in a waiting room and is comfortable.
National Lockdown Jan 2020
We are entering another national lockdown. This post is to give you some information about what this may mean for you.
Below is a useful link to access information on the rules regarding when you can leave home, exercise, meet with others, how to do ‘bubbles’, travel, work, childcare and financial support.
The main page for index on all the information is here
Information for shielding / extremely vulnerable groups (7th Jan 2020)
The Prime minister has said; “If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, we are advising you to begin shielding again and you will shortly receive a letter about what this means for you.”
The guidence is here. There is full guidelines and an easy read guide.
This only applies to people who have been informed previously that you are ‘clinically vulnerable’. You will receive a letter directly from the NHS about this if you are and the Health Centre cannot supply one instead. If you are NOT classed as vulnerable but you think you SHOULD be classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ you can check the criteria on the link below.
If you are not classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ the following guidelines still apply regarding work https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements, and employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home, including providing suitable IT and equipment to enable remote working wherever possible.
Unfortunately the Health Centre cannot supply letters to people who do not meet the shielding criteria but for various valid reasons are keen to work from home. The government guidance is clear that anyone who CAN work from home should do so. We appreciate this is a difficult time for all.
Flu update (7th Jan 2020)
At the time of writing we are in a national lock down to reduce demand on the NHS. Rather than this stopping our flu campaign, it actually makes it more important. Flu can be serious and lead to hospitalisation. Our drop in flu clinics continue for all eligible people. We understand possible concerns around the new 'stay at home' message. However flu vaccines are a valid and positive reason to leave home. We will take care to ensure social distancing and mask wearing.
We continue to offer flu vaccinations, now including all 50-64 year olds.
We have 2 drop in flu clinics planned. No appointment needed. Eligibility below.
Monday 11th Jan 2021 4-6pm
Tuesday 12th Jan 2021 2-4pm
Most afternoons we can accommodate you if you can not come to our drop in, please request on the following page.
If you are eligible but you DO NOT want the flu jab, please let us know as the NHS asks that we either give the vaccine or record that you do not want it.
Here is a summary of who can have the flu jab free:
everyone aged 50 and over
all children who are two- and three- year-old on 31 August 2020
everyone living in a residential or nursing home
everyone who cares for an older or disabled person
household members of anyone on the NHS Shielded Patient List
all frontline health and social care workers
all children in primary school or year 7 are eligible but are arranged through their school.
all pregnant women are eligible but are arranged through maternity services
You are ALSO eligible for the free flu vaccine at Birley if you have a long-term condition as listed on our website.
Below is a video from Dr Allen with more details about the flu jab.
We need your feedback!
Your feedback is essential for us to improve the services we provide for our patients and to enable Birley to be the best that it can be.
We would love to hear from you if you have a suggestion on how we can do things better to improve your experience.
Rather than using Facebook for feedback, please use this form on our website. We may post some suggestions back on to the Facebook to discuss further.
Thank you!
Flu clinics
We continue to offer flu vaccinations, now including all 50-64 year olds.
We have 3 drop in flu clinics planned for the new year. No appointment needed. Eligibility below.
Tuesday 5th Jan 2021 2-4pm
Monday 11th Jan 2021 4-6pm
Tuesday 12th Jan 2021 2-4pm
Most afternoons we can accommodate you if you can not come to our drop in, please request on the following page.
If you are eligible but you DO NOT want the flu jab, please let us know as the NHS asks that we either give the vaccine or record that you do not want it.
Here is a summary of who can have the flu jab free:
everyone aged 50 and over
all children who are two- and three- year-old on 31 August 2020
everyone living in a residential or nursing home
everyone who cares for an older or disabled person
household members of anyone on the NHS Shielded Patient List
all frontline health and social care workers
all children in primary school or year 7 are eligible but are arranged through their school.
all pregnant women are eligible but are arranged through maternity services
You are ALSO eligible for the free flu vaccine at Birley if you have a long-term condition as listed on our website.
Below is a video from Dr Allen with more details about the flu jab.
How can we best share our news and updates with patients who don't have the internet?
We have some ideas but are keen to know what other ideas are out there?
We don't want anyone feeling left behind. Thanks
Dr Allen has created a video that explains some of the principles of pain relief.
As it states, it is not intended to replace a conversation with the surgery. However it may help you better understand medications you have taken, what options may be available and which medications may be the most suitable. It also explains how to best take them safely.
We wanted to give you an update on the COVID vaccination programme.
We have limited information but this is what we know. At this stage, the initial vaccinations for our 6 local GP surgeries will be given from Beighton Health Centre, Queens Road, S20 1BJ.
We expect to receive 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in early January but the date is not yet confirmed. A second dose will be needed 3 weeks later.
The NHS asked us to deliver the vaccine to patients from our 6 local practices at a single dedicated site. Beighton Health centre was chosen as a suitable previous GP building. This would enable all our practices to continue to function as surgeries.
The over 80’s are the most vulnerable to COVID infection and so a national decision has been made to vaccinate them first. As soon as we have a confirmed date for the vaccine deliver, we will start contacting those who could be in this first group. We ask everyone to be patient and wait to be contacted.
At the point the vaccine is offered to you personally, we will give up to date information about the details of the particular vaccine, your personal eligibility and risks. The brand of vaccine offered may change over time. The details we know about the vaccine may also change over time.
The vaccine for some will be exciting and for others daunting. It is certainly logistically challenging and we will try to keep you updated.
Face coverings exemptions
We get many questions about Face coverings exemptions. The government has covered this in their guidelines here. I'm afraid it is not part of our NHS work to provide letters for exemptions covered here. You could print out the guidelines if having something official give you some security about being challenged.
Section of the guidelines below
'Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity'