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On Wednesday 27 October 2021, the practice will be having a telephone upgrade
This is planned to take place around 10am-11am.There may be a downtime of 30-60 minutes during this time, when we may not be able to receive any calls
Please bear with us during this vital upgrade which is necessary, to improve our telephone contact with patients
Welcome to Stable Fold Surgery
Covid Vaccination Update
Coronavirus Vaccine Programme update
A massive thank you to all the Westhoughton patients, staff and volunteers.
Please see below for the current information as of 11/10/2021.
So far we have done 3 weekend flu and covid booster clinics. A huge thank you to all involved!
To be eligible for your covid booster you must be at least 6 months (182 days) since your second immunisation.
All patients will be given Pfizer as a booster- regardless of which vaccine you had for the original doses.
You are not expected to have your booster at exactly 6 months, it just needs to be after this time.
We have been prioritising the most vulnerable patients first.
Our next step is to run a search on our patients who will be coming up to being eligible for their booster and we will text them with a link to make an appointment. If there is no mobile number available we will attempt to proactively contact the patient by phone.
If you have a mobile and don’t have access to the internet on your phone and have not received a phone call (and you are >6months) then you can TEXT your INITIALS and DOB to our hotline number and we will get back to you (may be a private number)
07587 554149.
Please be assured we have a list of everyone on the original clinics and are doing our upmost to ensure you are booked in for your boosters!
FIRST and SECOND DOSES
If you are currently eligible and have not had or arranged your first or second vaccine yet please text “COVID” plus YOUR INITIALS and DATE OF BIRTH to the vaccine hotline number 07587 554149 and we will contact you with an appointment/ discussion (this may be a call from a ‘private number’). If you are unable to text, please contact the surgery directly.
HOUSEBOUND PATIENTS
If you are truly housebound and in these groups (waiting for 1st/2nd or booster) then we are working on a plan for home visit vaccines. It is very difficult to safely transport vaccine so we politely ask that where at all possible you attend the surgery for your vaccine. We have the opportunity to vaccinate in the car if needed.
You can also access your vaccine at any other local vaccination site across Bolton or by booking an appointment at a mass vaccination site via the link below.
Where possible, please do not contact the surgery with vaccine queries as it stops poorly patients getting through on the phone. For general vaccine queries you can ask via online consult (see link on home screen of website).
Please follow our social media for the most up to date information regarding our vaccination programme.
Once again, a huge thank you to everyone involved in this, the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.
The surgery are encouraging all patients were possible to sign up for our online services to enable you to order your repeat medications, you can email the request or post it through the letter box please see below for online services. We are no longer accepting requests over the phone unless you are genuinely housebound
INFLUENZA (FLU):
Don’t let the flu get you or your family
It’s important that you protect yourself and your family this winter.
Both Covid-19 and flu will be around at the same time and you don’t want to come down with either – or both.
The flu vaccine won’t protect you against Covid and vice versa, so if eligible you’ll need both vaccines this winter for the best protection against both viruses.
You can’t get flu from the vaccine and getting vaccinated will help to protect you and your child from becoming seriously ill.
It will also reduce the pressure on your NHS in Bolton and help to protect your community.
Some of the symptoms of Covid-19 and flu are similar, so if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or you notice a change or loss in your sense of taste or smell – you must book a coronavirus PCR test.
What exactly is flu? Influenza (flu) is a serious disease caused by a virus. It’s not just a bad cold! Sometimes, flu can develop into something worse and it kills thousands of people each year.
It spreads through coughs and sneezes, by touching things like door handles, then touching your face, directly through saliva or nose secretions (snot!)
That’s why it’s important to wash your hands properly and ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ using a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue handy, use the inside of your elbow!
How can I avoid getting flu? Your best defence against flu is vaccination – you need one every year. It helps your immune system to fight off the virus, reducing your chances of getting flu and spreading it to other people.
If you do get flu, it will reduce the severity of your infection and reduce the chances of you having to go to hospital. It could save your life!
The flu vaccine is FREE for: those aged 50 and over, pregnant women, those with a long-term health condition (e.g. diabetes, COPD, kidney, heart or lung disease)* , two and three year olds, pupils in Reception to Year 11, health and care workers , carers
* check with your GP if you’re eligible.
Anyone not entitled to a free vaccine can still get protected at their local pharmacy for £10 to £15.
Please wear a face covering during your vaccination appointment.
Reception to Year 11 pupils receive a free flu nasal spray via their school health programme. Two and three year olds can have the nasal spray at their GP practice.
The nasal spray is quick and painless – no injection is needed – and it has an excellent safety record. It will help to protect not only your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, but your loved ones and those close to you.
The children’s nasal spray can’t cause flu either. After having the nasal spray, some children might get a runny or blocked nose but this is mild in comparison to them having flu.
Having flu while pregnant can also put you and your unborn child at risk. The flu vaccine will help to protect you both.
Pregnant women are also advised to have the Covid-19 vaccine. Both the Covid-19 and flu vaccines can be taken at any stage of pregnancy.
I’ve got flu – what should I do? stay at home and rest until you feel better, keep warm/drink plenty of water, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and to help with aches and pains, you should start to feel better after a week, antibiotics will not work against flu as it is a viral infection
Like Covid, flu is highly contagious so stay at home to avoid infecting others who may become more poorly than you. If you’re worried about symptoms, contact your GP online or by phone.