Updated 7th October 2020

Flu vaccinations 2020-21

The presence of Covid-19 this year makes it all the more important that eligible patients receive their flu jab this year but it also requires that practices deliver the vaccination in a Covid-safe environment, minimising contact and observing social distancing. In the case of Carn to Coast this involves accommodating at least 10,000 people. To make this possible without huge queues at our sites and problematic safety issues within the buildings and the surrounding roads, we have agreed (along with some other North Kerrier surgeries)  to take part in a major exercise led by Public Health England to deliver flu vaccinations at the Stithians Showground. This will take place over a number of days; many patients will already have received invitations to register for slots through an on-line ‘portal’ and large numbers have already booked.

We are also aware that some patients have experienced problems booking. This is a new initiative and we apologise for any disruption it causes. Our first priority has to be to keep people safe. The arrangements at Stithians mean that patients will have no contact with anyone other than marshals directing them to the vaccination point and the person doing the vaccination; neither will they have to mix with other people or touch door handles or other high-traffic surfaces. 

The invitations we are sending out by text and letter include full details of how to book on-line or by telephone. The telephone lines are staffed by volunteers and understandably have been extremely busy; we have fed back to the organisers at Public Health England reports of difficulties getting through and asked them to take whatever actions are possible to address such issues. We shall update this message from time to time if there are any changes / developments in the arrangements. Meanwhile please be aware that the surgery and its staff have no access to the booking system beyond that available to patients so we are not able to intervene to book slots on patients’ behalf.

Please be assured that Carn to Coast Health Centres have ordered the maximum number of flu vaccination doses available to us. We are aware that it is the Government’s intention to extend the availability of vaccinations to 50-65 year-olds once sufficient stocks are available. In the meantime priority will be given to over 65’s and patients considered being at risk owing to certain medical conditions – i.e. the categories which have applied in previous years.

We and Public Health England are fully aware that not all patients requiring jabs will be in a position to get to Stithians Showground. This does not mean that those patients will be overlooked and we do fully intend to get to them. However, it is in everyone’s interest that as many of you as possible are immunised as quickly and safely as possible and the Stithians exercise is designed to achieve the bulk of that task. This is a huge logistical exercise and we thank our patients for their patience and understanding.

Annual flu vaccination

Due to the Covid pandemic and the current government restrictions in place regarding social distancing, this year, to keep everyone safe, we are holding Flu clinics at a Drive-Thru facility at Stithians Show ground in October.  If you are eligible, you will soon receive an invitation via text message or letter, inviting you to book your drive thru appointment via a portal. We aim to have full details of the booking portal & and how to access it, published by 21 September 2020.

 Clinicians will administer your vaccination while you remain in your car.  It is therefore important that you help us by adhering to the guidance below:-

• Wear short sleeves or loose clothing so that we can access your arm easily.
• Please wear a face covering.
• Please do not attend if you are suffering from Covid-19 symptoms.
• This is a Drive-Thru clinic and there will be a one-way system in place.  Please follow directions from the marshals. 
• Carn To Coast Health Centres & Stithians Show Ground cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to your vehicle whilst attending the Drive-Thru clinics.
• Traffic management will be in place.

In the coming weeks, you will be invited to make an appointment for a flu vaccination; you can book your appointment online, via the portal. The invitations will have all the necessary information included, to assist with the booking process. Invites will be sent to patients mobile numbers  as text messages, or by letter if there is no mobile number registered. In addition, there will also be a telephone help line, to assist with booking an appointment at the Drive Thru, for those patients who do not have access to the internet. More details to follow very soon on the booking process.

This is a Drive-Thru Clinic only.  If you have no transport or you are unable to attend the Flu Vaccination Clinics at Stithians Show Ground, there will be later dates available for you to attend at one of the Carn to Coast sites. Details to follow on dates in the coming weeks.

Common questions about the flu vaccination

What is flu?

Flu is an unpleasant disease that spreads quickly and easily through coughing and sneezing.
Flu can also give you headaches, a sore throat, fever, chills, and muscle and joint aches.
Those people who are at risk, either because of their age or medical conditions, may develop complications such as chest infections and pneumonia.

Why get the vaccine?

The vaccine provides the best available protection against flu. It is not 100% but it will protect
a significant number of people and reduce the severity of flu if you get it. It could also help your relatives or carers because you will not be passing the disease to them.

Who should get it?

Young babies, older people, pregnant women and those who have other underlying health conditions, especially those of the lungs, heart, liver or kidneys, are particularly vulnerable to serious complications and possibly hospitalisation. Every year in the UK a number of people
in these groups die from the complications of flu.

I’ve heard that the vaccination can give you flu. Is that true?

No; the flu vaccine that is given to adults is made from dead flu virus and cannot cause the infection. The flu vaccine that will be given to most children is a live vaccine, but the viruses in it have been weakened so they can not cause flu. You may get some side effects after the vaccination but these are quite mild like a slightly raised temperature or aching muscles for a couple of days or an ache in the arm where the injection was given. Other reactions are very rare.

When can I get the vaccine?

The vaccine is available in October and appointments are available via a booking portal. In the coming weeks invitations will be sent via text messages or letter if no mobile phone.

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PRESCRIPTIONS

Please note that we have had to change the turnaround time for repeat prescriptions. Please ensure you request your prescription on time as our Prescription team cannot take 'urgent' requests.

Repeat Prescriptions requests will take three working days to process. We have no control over how long the pharmacy takes to dispense your prescription.

Consult 

You are now able to consult online with our own GPs with a response no later
than the end of the next working day
How it works:
1. Click "Get started" below
2. Select self-help or consultation options
We will respond to all eConsults by the end of the next working day

Advice from your GP online without having to wait for an appointment

Welcome to Carn to Coast Health Centres

Our practice has four surgery sites formed out of the October 2015 merger between Pool Health Centre and Homecroft Surgery (inclusive of their branch surgery at St Day) and a merger with Trevithick Surgery, Camborne in April 2018.  To view our practice's "Statement of Purpose" please click here:- Statement of Purpose

Welcoming New Patients

We welcome new registrations from patients who are looking for a GP surgery in this area.  We have our main site at Pool and two other good sized surgeries in Camborne (Trevithick Surgery) and Illogan (Homecroft surgery) with a further small branch surgery in St Day. 

You can click here to be taken straight to our registration information where you can also download a registration form via the 'online registration' tab.

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