Latest News

NEW Facebook Group

The surgery have set up a private Facebook group for patients. This is your go-to platform for the latest updates, health information, and community campaigns. Here, we’ll share helpful tips, NHS and local health initiatives, clinic updates, and ways to support your wellbeing.

Please note, this page is not monitored for medical queries or appointment bookings. If you need assistance, please contact the surgery directly. Follow us to stay informed and connected with your health!

August Bank Holiday

The surgery will be closed on Monday 26th August 2024.

If you need to see a doctor urgently over this period call 111. In a medical emergency, please dial 999. If you are feeling unwell but the problem is not a medical emergency, please call 111 for the NHS 111 Wales service.


Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination

From 1st September 2024, Pontprennau will be offering the RSV vaccination to eligible patients.  RSV is a common winter virus which for most people will cause mild illness, such as a cough or cold.  However, babies under one year of age and older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell.

The vaccine will be offered to patients turning 75 and patients who are pregnant from 28 weeks gestation from September.  Further into the year patients aged 75-79 will be offered the vaccination.

We strongly encourage you take advantage of this free vaccination.

A booking link will be sent to eligible patients via SMS and patients will be able to book an appointment at a time to suit.  Alternatively, you can call the surgery on 02920 739999, please be aware that our admin team will confirm eligibility and may turn you away if you are not suitable for the vaccine.

 

For further information regarding the RSV vaccine, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccination-information/


Influenza Vaccination Programme 2024/25

Starting in September, our practice will be offering the flu vaccine to all eligible patients. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the free vaccination provided by our GP Surgery and local pharmacists. Pontprennau Medical Centre has procured the appropriate flu vaccines for our eligible population, tailored to different age groups. If you are also eligible for a shingles or pneumonia vaccination, these can be arranged simultaneously, and your medical record will be updated accordingly.

We have pre-ordered flu vaccines for the eligible groups listed below. Clinics will be scheduled both during and outside our regular hours to accommodate everyone and ensure maximum community protection.

Key Information:

  • RSV Vaccine Introduction: The RSV vaccine will be available for those 75 and older and pregnant patients at 28 weeks or more. Therefore, flu vaccines for adults will commence in October, with a focus on vaccinating children in September.

Eligible Groups for Flu Vaccination under the NHS Programme:

  • Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024
  • School-aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive)
  • People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
  • People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
  • All adult residents in Welsh prisons
  • Pregnant women
  • Carers of individuals whose health or welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
  • Frontline health and care workers
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Household contacts of the immunocompromised

This year, all school-aged children will receive their vaccinations through the school immunisation service. Please do not contact the surgery to book these appointments; the schools will send letters to parents.

Appointment Booking:

  • Patients enrolled in the surgery’s SMS service will receive a text invitation with a link to book an appointment.
  • Patients not enrolled in the SMS service will receive an invitation letter by post.
  • We request that you avoid calling the surgery to book flu appointments unless absolutely necessary to reduce phone line congestion.

Housebound Patients:

Housebound patients will be contacted and visited by a team member, so there is no need to call unless your status has changed, and you can come to the surgery for your vaccination.

What to Expect During Weekend Flu Clinics:

  • Arrive at your specified time slot.
  • You will be directed to a consulting room for vaccination (several clinicians will be on site).
  • Car park access will be limited during Saturday clinics; please avoid driving if possible and reserve parking for disabled badge holders or those with limited mobility.
  • Be prepared for possible queuing; inform staff if you have difficulty standing for long periods.
  • While you have a booked appointment time, we cannot guarantee the vaccine will be administered exactly at that time.

For more information regarding the flu vaccine, please visit: About the vaccine - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)


Infected Blood Inquiry 

If you or someone you know think they may be infected, please see the attached information on what to do and where to find further information on testing etc.

Infected Blood Inquiry Brochure English

Infected Blood Inquiry Welsh

Infected Blood Inquiry Leaflet English

Infected Blood Inquiry Leaflet Welsh


Patient Advice during Industrial Action 

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that Junior Doctors in Wales will be taking Industrial Action between 7am on Monday 25th March until 7am on Friday 29th March 2024.

The Health Board acknowledges the right of Junior Doctors to take part in industrial action and is therefore planning, as far as possible, to maintain the delivery of safe and effective services to patients and the public, but it is likely that some services and patients will be affected, especially as the period of action runs into the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Junior Doctors play a key role in delivering care and treatment to patients across the majority of services and their absence during the Industrial Action will have an impact as we anticipate reduced medical staffing over this period.

The priority is to ensure members of the public can access safe and effective urgent and emergency care eg. Emergency and Assessment Units, during the period of Industrial Action, so the Health Board will need to postpone some routine and non-urgent appointments and surgeries that were due to take place over the four-day period.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we apologise for the disruption and distress this will cause, especially for those who are experiencing long waits for appointments, diagnostics, operations and treatments. Our teams will be working hard to rearrange postponed appointments in due course and patients affected will be contacted with a new date and time.

To Help Us Help You and ensure that patients can access care and treatment that meets their needs  during this time, we are calling on you to choose services wisely and where reasonable to do so, self-care at home. For advice on choosing which healthcare option is best for you visit the NHS 111 Wales Symptom Checker for guidance.  By choosing and accessing the right services you will help us care for those who need us most.

This will be particularly important when Industrial Action ends as we will enter the Easter Bank Holiday where GP surgeries will be closed for four days. It is important to request your repeat prescriptions early and familiarise yourself with the out of hours community pharmacies that will be available for help and advice over the Bank Holiday.

We do however wish to reassure you that ambulance services and urgent and emergency care will continue to operate throughout the period of Industrial Action and should be used if your condition or that of a loved one or someone you care for is felt to be life or limb threatening.  

For more details on specific healthcare services, please visit:

Advice for the public during BMA Industrial Action | 7am 25th March – 7am 29th March 2024 - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (nhs.wales)



MMR AWARENESS

The number of people in Wales having the MMR vaccine has dropped since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that children who have not been vaccinated, or are only partially vaccinated, are unprotected. This increases the risk of measles outbreaks happening in nurseries or schools.  

Even a small drop in the number of people having the MMR vaccination can lead to an increase in measles cases. As there is more international travel since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, there is a higher chance of measles being brought back from countries where it is common.  

Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect you and your child from measles, mumps and rubella.  

You can find more information on the vaccine and diseases at NHS 111 Wales - Vaccinations (external link)

How can I check if my child has had both MMR vaccinations?

Two doses of the MMR vaccine is over 95% effective at preventing measles. Check your child’s status now to protect them from serious illness.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

 

Who is eligible for the MMR vaccine?

Measles is highly infectious and the only way to prevent outbreaks is through vaccination. It is never too late to catch up on missed doses.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

 

How serious is measles?

Measles can be a serious illness for children that can be prevented by a highly effective and safe vaccine.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

 

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles is highly infectious and can be passed on even before a rash appears. 2 doses of the #mmr vaccine gives lifelong protection.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

 

What should you do if you think you or your child has measles?

Measles is a highly infectious and serious disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that a person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 of their unvaccinated contacts. It can be transmitted for four days before the onset of the rash. 2 doses of MMR vaccine gives lifelong protection and it’s never too late to catch up on.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)


The New NHS Wales App

Patients at this GP Practice are no longer able to access My Health Online.

Please download the NHS Wales App.  It's the new way to manage your health online and replaces the previous My Health Online service. 

Download it to your smartphone or tablet from Apple's App Store, Google Play, or login via your web browser.

Learn more: https://app.nhs.wales/login


Your NHS Wales Experience - Pontprennau Medical Centre Questionnaire

The experience you have of care is important to us and we would welcome patients to complete this years NHS Wales Experience short questionnaire, consisting of 8 questions.  This will provide valuable feedback to Practices to identify areas of improvement.  The questionnaire should take no longer then 5 minutes of your time.  Please click on the following link to complete https://forms.office.com/e/tFatmxJFsG 


The way we accept urine samples is changing

Urine Poster


Repeat Prescriptions 

Please be aware that we are now requiring 72 hours to process repeat prescriptions. This change is due to an unprecedented demand for repeat prescriptions. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind our patients that when ordering repeat prescriptions please allow time for the surgery to process your request as well as the local pharmacies who will be dispensing your medication. 


Health News from the BBC and the NHS

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NHS Choices Behind the Headlines
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