In spring 2024, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

We have invited these eligible patients in again by text, so please make sure we have your up to date mobile number by emailing us on ciosicb.rosmellynsurgery@nhs.net

We are seeing an increase in norovirus cases in Cornwall. If you have symptoms please do not visit a healthcare setting (GP surgery, hospital or care home).

If you have sickness and diarrhoea symptoms and you are due to attend a GP or outpatient appointment, please contact the clinic before setting off from home, as it may be possible to have the consult over the phone, online or they can reschedule.

Stop it from spreading by staying home and always wash your hands regularly with soap and water:

🚽 after going to the toilet
🥗 before you start preparing or cooking food

Remember that⚠️ Alcohol gels won't kill norovirus.

If you would like to avoid telephone queues and have a non urgent admin request such as medication, a medical certificate or have a non urgent medical query, please use the link below to contact the surgery.

We aim to read these requests within 2 working days so please do not request anything urgent.

If you become more unwell or need help more urgently, please call Rosmellyn Surgery on 01736 330909. If the practice is closed, visit NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency call 999

What is BEACON?

BEACON is an online clinical trial for people with Long Covid who are experiencing brain fog or having problems with their memory and brain health. It aims to test a brain training app in people aged 18 and over and will last six months. People can take part from home by registering for the trial on their smartphone, device or computer. BEACON will involve over 1500 people across the UK.

BEACON aims to provide better understanding of how we can treat and support people with Long Covid who have concerns about their brain health.

Who can take part?

BEACON is open to anyone over 18 who has had Covid-19 and is experiencing problems with their memory or brain health. Examples include brain fog, unusual lapses in memory, problems concentrating and difficulty performing day-today tasks. You need to have access to a smartphone, device or computer with an internet connection and be able to speak English.

What does it involve?

The BEACON trial is six months long. You can take part online, at home, for free.

You can register at https://beaconstudy.org.uk/ After reading an information sheet and giving consent to take part, you will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires and brain tests on your computer or device. You will then be randomly allocated to one of two groups and will have access to six brain training games. You can log in and play the games as often as you like. We recommend playing at least three times a week for ten minutes.

By taking part you will be joining a national community of people with Long Covid who are contributing to vital research into brain health and Covid-19.

The BEACON study complies with all legal requirements for research and ensures all of your data is protected and secure.

Are you aged 17-30? You may have missed your MMR vaccination as a child. Now that measles is spreading it’s even more important to know your vaccination status and ensure you are protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Contact our surgery to find out if you have been vaccinated and make an appointment to get your free MMR vaccination if you missed out on this critical protection in the past

Measles cases are rising in England. Two doses of the MMR vaccinations can help stop you becoming seriously unwell with measles.

The Patients’ Forum is a friendly group of patients and staff who meet once every 2-3 months or so and discuss, review and advise on how the Surgery is performing as well as consider changes and enhancements.

We try hard to be representative of the whole patient population, but are under-represented in many areas – all the members are over 50, mostly female, all white British in origin, and have no significant physical disabilities – therefore, we would really appreciate anyone who does not fit that description to join us, give us the benefit of your experience, and help us to be more representative. However we welcome anyone who feels they could make a difference. 

If you would like to contribute, we normally meet at lunchtime at the Practice; if you feel you would like to be part of the group but find coming to meetings difficult, we’d be delighted to welcome you as an “e-member” and keep in touch via the internet.

If you would like to get in contact with the group to show interest, their email address is: rosmellynppg@gmail.com

1 in 4 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Not had your shingles vaccine yet? If you are aged 70-79, you can book to get your shingles with a Nurse now. 

Shingles is a debilitating disease that can cause serious complications. From 1 September 2023, the shingles vaccine programme is being expanded so hundreds of thousands more people will be able to get protected against shingles each year.

Your chances of developing shingles get higher as you get older or if you have a weakened immune system. The shingles vaccine programme is changing so people can be protected at an earlier age to prevent more shingles cases.

If you have a weakened immune system, for example due to cancer treatment, and are aged 50 and over, from September you will be able to get the shingles vaccine at the surgery. You will need two doses to be fully protected. 

From September, as you turn 65 or 70 look out for your invite to get your shingles vaccine. You can also contact the surgery to make an appointment after your 65th or 70^th birthday. You will need two doses to be fully protected.

If you have any questions or queries related to the shingles vaccination programme, please email ciosicb.rosmellynsurgery@nhs.net

You can sign up to Patient Access on your smartphone or computer to easily order repeat prescriptions, access parts of your medical records and allow access to our Online Consult. To do this, please click on the link to the right.

The online Electronic Personal Health Record (ePHR) system provides information for all midwifery contact numbers, trusted information leaflets and maternal help groups while allowing the benefit of instant access to view your Maternity Record on any mobile device, tablet or PC throughout the duration of your pregnancy. 

Ask your midwife about your Digital Maternity Record or contact Maternity IT Monday - Friday 09:00am - 16:00pm on 01209 881788 or 07557172389

Online Registrations also available at 

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/maternity-services/what-to-do-when-i-first-find-out-im-pregnant/ 

This allows you to complete your first booking information, complete your birth preferences plan and view your Maternity notes.

If you have just found out you are pregnant, please follow the above link and complete a Contact form and the midwives will contact you directly. 

NHS services in Cornwall are very busy right now so please help us help you and choose well this winter. Your local pharmacy is a great place for expert advice. Search on www.nhs.uk to find your nearest pharmacy.

What can Pharmacy a treat?

• coughs, colds and flu

• sore throats

• tummy troubles

• aches and pains

• red eyes

• sleeping problems

• athlete's foot

• mouth ulcers

• constipation and diarrhoea

• and much more

The HANDi Paediatric app gives up to date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them. It’s now available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet. The app contains information about when and how to ask for help, along with what to expect when your child is being assessed

To download the HANDiApp on APPLE click here ‎HANDi Paediatric on the App Store (apple.com)

To download the HANDiApp on ANDORID click here HANDi Paediatric – Apps on Google Play

Please click on the link below for more information regarding the national data opt-out

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out

All our health services are busy right now, especially our ambulance service and the emergency department team at Truro hospital.

You can play your part in supporting us to care for people with serious and life-threatening illnesses.

When the Surgery is closed did you know you know you can get help and advice by calling 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk? You may not need to go and wait in our busy emergency department and could be directed to a minor injury unit which will be quicker and closer to home.

Only dial 999 for an ambulance if it’s an emergency and you think you’ll need the care of paramedics on the way to hospital.

If you don’t think it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency:

Call your own GP. Even if you are in Cornwall on holiday, you could get a phone or video consultation with your doctor at home.

Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to get expert advice and be signposted to where you can get the best and nearest care for your needs.

Ask a pharmacist for advice – they’re experts in treating minor health issues like colds, urinary infections, stomach upsets, aches and pains.

For further information please visit NHS Kernow CCG at https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well/

If you have had an appointment this month at Rosmellyn Surgery, please click on the link below to complete this satisfaction survey to tell us how you found your experience.

Thank you

Rosmellyn Surgery

https://forms.office.com/r/yDKQh79FYV

Are you an enthusiastic and motiviated individual? If so you might be just the person we are looking for!

Rosmellyn Surgery runs a Patient Participation Group which is a route for people to advise and inform the practice on what matters most to patients and to help identify solutions to problems.

Members of the PPGs should think about the wider patient interest and not just their own personal concerns when serving on the PPG.

If yout think this might be for you please contact the surgery with your contact details and we will be able to provide the current group with your information.