Norvic Family Practice

Important Information...
Although we are still technically in summer, its never too soon to think about your autumn FLU vaccination.
We will be offering Flu vaccine again this year so here is the latest information from our friends at "Healthy Sandwell".

Flu - Healthy Sandwell Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine in Sandwell. it is more important than ever that you get your free flu jab

Have you seen our website ?
Here you can find lots of information about the Practice, including contact details, opening hours & lots more besides.
So why not have a look for yourself !

www.norvicfamilypractice.co.uk Due to the COVID-19- please DO NOT attend the surgery to book appointments. Please ring the reception to arrange a telephone triage appointment. If the GP wishes to see you then they will arrange a face to face appointment for you.

We will be shut for the regular Christmas & New Year Bank Holidays on 26th, 27th December 2022 and 2nd January 2023.
The extended hours Hub is still available for a couple of hours on the Bank Holidays, patients across our Primary Care Network can book into these slots by calling their respective Surgery numbers
The NHS 111 service is also open as usual.
We wish everyone a very happy Christmas holiday and a very happy New Year.

Norvic Family Practice PPG are holding their second, totally free, Health Awareness Day on Saturday November 26th at the Victoria Health Centre.
Do come along for flu vaccinations, health checks & lots more besides.
Details are as attached.

The cost-of-living crisis is already affecting millions across the UK, with many reporting they will be unable to switch on the heating on in the coming months. We believe everyone should have a warm and welcoming Space to go to this winter, which is why our network of community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and other faith groups across the UK have opened their doors to provide exactly that.
Click on the link for more information

Find a Warm Welcome Space Today We are determined to equip and support thousands of free, warm, and welcoming spaces in communities across the UK. Working with churches and other faith groups, civil society organisations, businesses and Local Authorities, we want to make sure that nobody is left to suffer on their own this winter.

As winter draws nearer, please consider getting your Flu vaccination. You should also consider getting a Covid-19 Booster.
These are free to those who qualify.
All the latest NHS information can be found by clicking on the NHS logo below.

Flu vaccine Find information about the flu jab, including who should have it, why and when.

Norvic Family Practice newsletter is now available here...https://www.norvicfamilypractice.co.uk/website/M88009/files/NFP%20newsletter%20September%202022.pdf
FLU Vaccinations for patients over 65 start today (Saturday 8th October) with those under 65 or those who may be in "at risk" groups starting during 3rd week of October,
Details in the above newsletter, plus details of Covid-19 boosters as publicised by Government.

www.norvicfamilypractice.co.uk

Special Announcement.
Due to the planned funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, & The Government declared Bank Holiday, the surgery will not be open for routine appointments on 19th of September 2022
This will enable those members of our staff who wish to observe this occasion to do so.
The NHS 111 service remains accessible on the day.

Winter Vaccination Plans
Flu...
The NHS Flu vaccine rollout will start at Norvic Family Practice from the 8th of October 2022.
If we have your mobile number & you qualify for the vaccine you may receive a Text from us with more information.
Covid19- Booster...
More information will be available concerning Covid-19 Booster vaccinations in due course.
The NHS plans for Flu vaccinations can be seen here...
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

Flu vaccine Find information about the flu jab, including who should have it, why and when.

We would like to thank everyone who came along yesterday, 23rd July, to our Health Awareness Day.
Held in the marquee at the Smethwick Heritage Centre, this free event attracted well over 140 visitors, all of whom took advantage of the services that were on offer. This included Blood Pressure checks, aural help & advice, nutritional advise from Healthy Sandwell & much more.
Volunteer staff from the Heritage Centre were on hand to provide refreshments & to show visitors the museum & to help make it a memorable & varied day. Even the weather was kind to us.
Here are a few photos of the day.
Thank you one & all.

May we remind everyone that our PPG Group "Health Awareness Day" is on Saturday 23rd July . Details as attached poster.
*****************************************************
Our Patient Participation Group will be in the marquee at The Smethwick Heritage Centre in Victoria Park, High Street, Smethwick from 11am until 3pm when you are cordially invited to come along and receive help & advice on matters relating to Health Awareness.
Refreshments available, limited parking within the Park subject to availability, additional parking available behind the Council House.
Refreshments, Raffle & prizes available too.

Special Event 23rd July 2022
We are pleased to announce that, working in conjunction with our friends at the Smethwick Heritage Centre , we will be holding our next "Health Awareness Day" in their new marquee.
*******************************************************************
This is a free event, primarily aimed at Norvic FP patients but also open to the wider community, so please do come on down to The Heritage Centre in Victoria Park Smethwick
Lots to see & do, plus refreshments and a Raffle (got to have a Raffle haven't we !!)
Details as per the attached flyer, we look forward to seeing lots of you on the day
NFP..."Promoting Good Health in Smethwick "

Mental Awareness Week from 9th to 15th May 2022
The week may be almost over but its never too late to get in touch if you need help or support.
There is plenty of information available from the Mental Health Foundation , just follow this link
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 All you need to know for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, focusing on loneliness.

Never under estimate the risks associated with high Blood Pressure, otherwise known as Hypertension.
Here are some notes from the NHS which give a clear insight into this condition,
If you suspect that you may have high Blood Pressure please do call the surgery and get it checked out.
It is an easy, quick & painless test so don't delay, call today !
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

High blood pressure (hypertension) Find everything you need to know about high blood pressure, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, with links to other useful resources.

Norvic Family Practice have received this from Health Watch Sandwell(HWS). You are invited to take part in this survey which is aimed at asking residents about the things that matter to them.
Please read on....
-----------------------------
Healthwatch Sandwell are your local voice for the public in the delivery of health and social care services. We champion the views of service users using health and social care services in Sandwell with the goal of making services better and improving health and wellbeing. As such, we are hoping to plan our work priorities for next year by asking local residents what matters most to them.
This survey will ask about the health and social care services in Sandwell to help us understand your concerns. The completed survey will be anonymised to remove any personally identifiable information. These anonymised findings will be published by Healthwatch Sandwell and shared with stakeholders.
Please complete the survey https://engagingcommunities.researchfeedback.net/s.asp...
Paper copies are available and Healthwatch Sandwell team also happy to help people to complete surveys over the phone.
Help us choose our work priorities for 2022/23 by telling us what topics are most important to you.
ENGAGINGCOMMUNITIES.RESEARCHFEEDBACK.NET
Sandwell Public Priorities 2022_23

Survey Login

Are you a "Patient in Waiting" for hospital treatment ?
If you are then Sandwell Healthcare would like to hear from you, & invite you to take part in a short survey.
For details please follow this link
https://www.healthwatchsandwell.co.uk/are-you-a-patient-in-waiting-for-hospital-treatment/

Are you a “patient in waiting” for hospital treatment? - Healthwatch Sandwell Have you been referred by your GP to hospital for an appointment, treatment, or operation? Are you still waiting? If so Healthwatch Sandwell would like to hear from you.   The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to delays and backlogs in hospital treatment which will take extra time to ...

This week sees the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
Running from Monday 17th until Sunday 23rd of January 2022, the Awareness Week looks to give advice & raise awareness on cervical screening & offer information about how to become involved.
Just follow this link for more information.
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/.../cervical-cancer...

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

Christmas Arrangements
Please note that the Surgery will be closed for Christmas & the New Year on the following dates....
December 27th & 28th 2021, & January 3rd 2022.
We would like to wish everyone a peaceful & Happy Christmas holiday.

Covid-19 infections continue to grow throughout the country.
Vaccination is vital to ensure maximum protection for you & your family, but vaccination rates in Sandwell are still below the National Average.
If you have not had your full range of Jabs please do come forward now. The new variant, Omicron, is spreading very quickly.
Here is some information from the NHS that you may find useful,
Be Safe... Get vaccinated ...as soon as possible ...please !
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Coronavirus (COVID-19) NHS advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), including information on symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation.

Did you know.....
That you do not need to contact directly (or even visit) the surgery to get a repeat prescription ?
Simply let the surgery know which pharmacy you would like to receive your prescription & leave the rest to your pharmacist.
They can then order your repeats for you.
Here is more information on how easy this can be, & the options that are available.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/how-to-order-repeat-prescriptions-online/
Avoids the need to phone up or even collect your prescription, & it saves time for you too.
Lets do things the easy & quicker way !

How to order repeat prescriptions online Find out how to order repeat prescriptions online by using apps and websites.

With Christmas & the New Year celebrations getting ever closer, why not give this a try & get in trim for the Festive Season ?
You know it makes sense !
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/veg-pledge-2021/

Veg Pledge 2021 - National Awareness Days Calendar 2021 What is The Veg Pledge 2021? The Veg Pledge is an Initiative set up by Cancer Research UK which asks you to […]

World COPD Day 17th November 2021
*************************************
If you, or someone that you love, suffers from COPD, then please do read this.

https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/copd/world-copd-day

World COPD Day 2021 This World COPD Day, on 20 November 2019, there will be 1.2 million people in the UK living with COPD. Keeping active is one of the best ways to manage the condition.

Covid-19 vaccination rates in Sandwell are below the national average.
PLEASE.....do come forward for vaccination whether its for a first, second or Booster jab..... lets help protect each other !

Barnardo’s launches 'Boloh' - the UK’s first helpline supporting vulnerable Black, Asian and minority ethnic children and families impacted by COVID-19.
**********************************
Details can be found here...
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/news/barnardos-launches-new-uk-specialist-helpline

Barnardo’s launches new UK specialist helpline An urgently needed helpline supporting vulnerable Black, Asian and minority ethnic children and families, who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis, has been launched by Barnardo’s.

Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter.
If you have a long term health condition you are more at risk. Getting the flu jab and COVID-19 booster vaccine is the best way to protect yourself: https://buff.ly/3AuTMyi

Flu vaccine Find information about the flu jab, including who should have it, why and when.