Byhowbeck
Barton Chime – June 2021
We have all known that the lifting of the lockdown and coronavirus restrictions will be subject to review, and we really hope that it continues as planned, Indian or another variant notwithstanding. As we hopefully (fingers crossed) head steadily towards a more ‘normal’ way of life, we are all rediscovering simple pleasures and appreciating things we have previously taken for granted. As we take stock, the cost of the pandemic on our physical and mental health is becoming more apparent. We know that exercise is good for the body and mind. What can we do about it? Fortunately, there is a wealth of advice available on exercise and improving fitness; advice that is suitable for all ages, abilities and fitness levels. Excellent advice is available on sites such as www.nhs.uk/better-health/ and www.nhs.uk/apps-library/exi/ It is best to start slowly, get into the habit of doing something regularly and gradually increase how much you do. Some exercise is better than none, so do not worry if you can only manage a few minutes a day. Please contact the surgery for advice about safe exercising if you have a medical condition of concern.
Many of us are hoping to go abroad on holiday later this year and will need to show our COVID-19 vaccination status in order to travel. The system goes live on the 17th of May, when we can access our vaccination status by either using the NHS Travel App or calling 119. More information can be obtained at www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Following the announcement last month of Courtney our phlebotomist’s departure, she has now, sadly, left us. We are in the process of employing a replacement, but until then will have a reduced capacity for taking blood samples at the surgery. We would appreciate if, for the time being, non-urgent blood tests and more mobile patients could have their blood samples taken at the hospital. It is not a walk-in service, but can be booked on the Burton Hospital website, or at www.swiftqueue.co.uk/uhdb.php We hope to keep the disruption to as short a period as possible.
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