We are making preparations for the Autumn vaccination programmes which this year includes the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (RSV) for the first time.

Flu – BOOKING NOW OPEN! NHS England have advised that the annual flu campaign starts in October for over 65’s and the 18-64’s in at risk categories. Pregnant women, at risk children and all 2-3 year olds are eligible to be vaccinated by us and can book in from September. All other school age children will be vaccinated through the school system. We have two main flu days on Friday 4^th and Friday 18^th October. Other dates are available for those unable to attend on these days. Please book in ASAP to secure your vaccine – you can book online, or call reception after 2pm. Not sure if you’re eligible? Check the link here

RSV – this vaccine is for pregnant women (over 28w gestation) and adults aged 75-79. It can be given alongside shingles and pneumococcal vaccinations but is better (although not essential) to avoid 2w before or after a flu vaccination. We have specific vaccination slots for this vaccine starting from 9^th September so if you’re eligible please book. More information can be found here

Covid – we are unable to offer Covid vaccinations this Autumn. The National Booking Service (see here) will open later in the year to facilitate Covid vaccination bookings.

NHS 111 select mental health option

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis in North Yorkshire, York and Selby, they can access urgent support 24/7 by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

Local crisis teams are not changing and the service is still provided by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in our region. It is just a new telephone number to call – making it simpler for people to find the right support in a mental health crisis.

To help you get the support you need, you will speak to a mental health advisor who will ask you some questions and listen to you. They can offer self-care advice over the phone, transfer you to the crisis service if needed or refer you to other local services.

You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.

If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 SignVideo or the 18001 111 Relay UK app.

If a person’s mental or emotional state gets worse quickly, this can be referred to as a mental health crisis or a mental health emergency. If this happens, it is important to get help quickly.

A mental health crisis can mean different things to different people, but often means that you no longer feel able to cope or be in control of your situation. It can cause a significant disruption to your life and your ability to function.

You should call NHS 111 and select the mental health option if you are worried about:

• thoughts about your life not being worth living or about harming yourself
• feeling out of control or unable to cope
• feeling anxious about leaving the house
• hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t

If you or someone else have physically harmed themselves, or if their life is at risk, then you should still call 999 or go to A&E.

Find out more about NHS 111 select mental health option

St John Ambulance is aiming to set up the first St John Ambulance team in Pickering to provide first aid training and awareness and community event first aid services, as well as setting up a Badger and Cadet team for children aged 7-17years. To achieve their ambition, they very much need adult volunteers – could you help?

Unfortunately, the NHS no longer funds treatment for benign skin lesions, such as verrucae and warts.  Consequently, Pickering Medical Practice is unable to continue to offer a cryotherapy service (the freezing of lesions with liquid nitrogen).  Regrettably, we will cease this service at the end of the month.

Pharmacy staff in local chemists are able to advise on suitable over the counter treatments for benign lesions which are effective when used as directed.

Anyone worried they may be at risk of hepatitis C can order a confidential test online here.

Take the test today and reduce your risk – search “Know Your Risk” or click here

Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every year – putting them at risk of potentially serious health complications and early death. Modern life can make it hard to be healthy but, for many people, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by making small lifestyle changes.

Diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss in people of working age. It is also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation (other than accidents), and people with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than those without diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by:

• Managing your weight,

• Eating healthily and

• Being more active.

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free programme for those who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can get help to make positive changes to your diet, weight and physical activity to significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Take the test today and reduce your risk – search “Know Your Risk” or click here

We are supporting the GLAD study and encourage anyone with depression, anxiety or no experience of mental health disorders to sign up and join the 50,000 people helping to make a change in mental health research. Find out more and sign up at gladstudy.org.uk

How to book your Covid Spring Booster vaccination with Citywide Health

Citywide Health are a group of 7 independent pharmacies in York. In May 2024, we are travelling to Pickering to deliver our successful Covid vaccination service at Pickering Memorial Hall

We are planning 2 clinics on Tuesday 7th May and Saturday 18th May.  Booking will be via this website, NOT the national booking service. Please only access this service is you are from the Easingwold/Hambleton/Ryedale areas and not able to travel to one of our clinics in York.

SPRING COVID BOOSTER eligible groups;

1. those aged 75 years and over (or those who are 74, but due to be 75 years old by 30/6/24)

2) individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed (although we can only vaccinate 12 and over at these clinics. 5-11 year olds need to book via NBS at our clinics in York)

3) residents in a care home for older adults

THIS IS NOT A WALK IN SERVICE.

Book Here!

YOU MUST BOOK AN APPOINTMENT USING THE FORM BELOW. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO ISN’T ABLE TO ACCESS THE BOOKING PAGE, PLEASE HELP BY BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM. ALTERNATIVE CLINICS ARE AVAILABLE AT KIRKBYMOORSIDE AND EASINGWOLD.

After several years of going above and beyond to provide Covid vaccinations to our patients, we (and all GP practices within South Hambleton and Ryedale Primary Care Network)  are no longer in a position to be able to provide Covid Spring Boosters to our eligible patients. The vaccinations will be provided by an outside agency to eligible patients either within their care home, at home if registered as housebound, or via pop-up clinics, which are yet to be confirmed.

Further information regarding the spring booster campaign and eligibility criteria and be found here:

Spring 2024 Booster Eligibility

Thank you.