We have now been able to release more flu vaccination appointments. Please use the contact us (admin option) or call the practice. 

Invites are now being sent for the RSV vaccination.

Patients are eligble from the 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025 if their date of birth is between 2/9/1949 and 31/8/1949.

Please note the RSV vaccination can NOT be given with the flu or COVID vaccination. 

For more information please click here

Please read the information below regarding vaccinations and clinics this winter season. 

New RSV Vaccine – 1^st September 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus, in the same family as the human parainfluenza viruses and mumps and measles viruses. RSV is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. RSV is transmitted by large droplets and by secretions from contact with an infected person.

Infants under one year of age and the elderly are at the greatest risk of developing severe disease. While most RSV infections usually cause mild illness, infants aged less than 6 months frequently develop the most severe disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may result in hospitalisation. 

From 1 September 2024, 2 new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes will be introduced:

Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old

All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and should be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. A one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

Programme for pregnant women to protect infants

All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant (the eligible cohort) on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.

Clinics will be made available once confirmation of vaccine delivery has been received. 

Flu Campaign – Changes to 2024/25 Programme - Over 65's and At Risk aged 18-64

This year most eligible adults will be offered the flu vaccine from 3^rd October 2024, which might be slightly later than in previous years. This is because the latest scientific evidence shows that protection from the flu vaccine decreases over time in adults. It is therefore better to have the vaccine closer to when flu typically circulates.

Children's Flu Vaccinations

Children who are offered a flu vaccine on the NHS will start from September because their protection from the vaccine doesn’t decrease as quickly as it does in adults. The surgery vaccinates children who are 2 or 3 year olds or at risk. Other children will receive the vaccine via their schools.  

Clinics will be made available once confirmation of vaccine delivery has been received. 

Flu 2024 Clinics

Clinic invitations are currently being sent to those eligble at risk patients over 18 and all over 65s. Please see booking links via text or email from Accurx. 

We currently have had no information regarding the COVID programme.

If you book a clinic appointment for a Saturday and are eligible, if we have vaccine and are allowed to we will offer you COVID at the same appointment. If you have an appointment during the week this will be for FLU ONLY. 

· Our practice is still open during our normal hours for patients, and you can continue to contact us as usual.

· If you have an appointment, please attend as usual unless we contact you to tell you otherwise.

All pregnant women are eligible for the vaccine from 16 weeks gestation, and a woman requires the vaccine in every pregnancy (ideally between 16-32 weeks). This is to ensure the antibodies are passed to the baby through the placenta and protects the baby until they are old enough to have their first immunisations at 8 weeks of age.

Please contact us to arrange an appointment for your vaccination.

Pharmacy First is a new service being offered to people with certain minor illnesses and conditions.

The new service means trained pharmacists can assess and treat patients for the following conditions without the need for them to see their GP:

Sinusitis (12 years and over)
Sore throat (5 years and over)
Acute otitis media (1 to 17 years)
Infected insect bite (1 year and over)
Impetigo (1 year and over)
Shingles (18 years and over)
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (16 to 64 years)

You can either walk into your pharmacy or can be referred by GPs or NHS 111 to community pharmacies for minor illnesses.

To find a local pharmacy, visit the NHS website.

The Carers in Herts office is open 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 4.30pm on Fridays (excluding bank holidays). They also offer support from 5.30pm to 7.30pm two evenings a week- please contact them directly to organise a suitable call. Contact details: email contact@carersinherts.org.uk      telephone 01992 58 69 69.

If you are aged 71 or over, you will not automatically be invited for breast screening. However, as long as you have breast tissue, you can ask for free screening every 3 years. You can find out more about breast screening here

To opt into the program contact the Beds and Herts Breast Screening Service:

Tel: 01582 497599 (09.00-16.55 Mon-Fri) 

Email: bscreen@ldh.nhs.uk   Please make sure that your message includes your Name, Date of Birth or NHS Number. 

Please see the guidance below which outlines Practice policy on issues such as follow up after a private appointment, chasing hospital appointments or results of tests organised by them, who to contact with dental issue and more.

Guidance for Patients August 2022