Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Covid-19 vaccines 

Unless you are aged 80 and over and have not been contacted about having your first vaccine, please DO NOT contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

The NHS is prioritising vaccinating people who experts have agreed will benefit the most. We will let you know when it is your turn. Please see here for advice. 

If you are aged 80 and over, and have not been contacted about a first vaccination please let us know. If you are aged 80 and over and housebound we have had to wait until we had the right vaccine, the right procedures and processes, so we have only recently started visiting homes - however there is no harm in ringing us to check we have you on our list.  

There is comprehensive information, guidance, and answers to questions at COVID-19 Vaccination programme | East London Health & Care Partnership (eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk) 

Getting the help you need 

The NHS in London is very busy as coronavirus infection rates continue to be high, but we’ll help you get urgent care when you need it.  

Most consultations are over the phone and via video. This is for everyone's safety. We will assess your situation and invite you into the practice if needed. 

We can arrange same-day appointments if you need urgent care but please don't visit without an appointment. Appointments will be held in the best way to keep you safe from Covid.   

You can also contact 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice - including if you have concerns about your Covid-19 symptoms. 

Please remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies.  

Please help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe by following the latest rules. 

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The latest information on symptoms of Coronovirus infection and areas where recent travel may have resulted in a high risk of exposure can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if:

• you think you might have coronavirus;
• in the last 14 days you've been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
• you've been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

With patients' needs at the heart of everything we do, our website has been designed to make it easy for you to gain instant access to the information you need. As well as specific practice details such as opening hours and how to register, you’ll find a wealth of useful pages covering a wide range of health issues along with links to other relevant medical organisations.

Online Access

Now you can have access ON-LINE  to some services at Strouts Place Medical Centre:

• Book, cancel and rebook appointments
• Request Repeat medication
• Have access to your Medical History

If you are interested, speak with any member of the staff at the reception desk, they will be very happy to help you.