International Travel

Proof of Vaccination

The Department of Health have advised that Citizens in NI are able to undertake international travel from Monday 24th May, availing of the traffic light system announced by the Executive.

A UK / DA format for certification letters, to enable proof of vaccination (incorporating agreed necessary security standards) has been agreed in the last couple of days. The Department of Health is working on a solution to enable proof of vaccination to the agreed standard. It is estimated that the Covid (status) Verification Service, or ‘CVS’ for NI will take approximately 6 weeks to establish, given the necessary infrastructure to be developed, allowing citizens to request certification, securely linking to their personal data. It is also anticipated that a paper based option will be available in the first instance, from a specialist printing service. It should be noted that neither GPs, other HSC organisations, nor the VMS team are able to issue letters to the agreed standard for travel purposes.

Parkside Surgery COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics 

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We are delighted to announce we have started our COVID-19 Vaccinations.  There is no need to contact us, our reception team will contact you by telephone to make your appointment for your COVID-19 Vaccination.  

Or you can book an appointment for your COVID Vaccine at one of the Regional Centres by telephone or online 

 0300 200 7813

or

https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/

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How Our System Works During The Pandemic 

We are currently experiencing a much higher number of daily telephone calls and appointment requests. Please bear with us as the waiting times will be a lot longer. 

We are trying to reduce the need for patients to attend our surgery and adding unnecessary pressure to our already busy phone lines, so please use our online service for ordering prescriptions. To reduce the number of patients attending the practice we are asking all patients to nominate a named pharmacy for their prescription to be sent to.

We are offering telephone triage appointments which can be booked in advance to suit you.  Our receptionist will ask you for a brief description of your complaint to enable them to direct you to the appropriate appointment.  If after your telephone appointment you require an examination the doctor will arrange a face to face appointment for you. 

Please wear a face covering at all times when attending the practice.  Please also sanitise your hands when entering the building.

The practice uses AccuRx to carry out video consultations, send text messages and receive photographs from patients that may be relevant to your complaint.

Video consultations are not stored or recorded within the AccuRx system or our clinical system.  Photographs received are stored within your clinical records.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.

 If you have a COVID 19 query please refer first to NHS 111 for advice

Useful Coronavirus Information - Please follow link below

https://covid-19.hscni.net/

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Sick Lines For Self Isolation

If you are self isolating please self certify for the first 7 days.  As per Government guidance, employers are expected to be flexible during an employee's isolation period.  We will not be issuing sick lines for self isolation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Coronavirus-covid-19 NHS website page

Childrens Coronavirus Fact Sheet -National.pdf

Easy to read guidance regarding shielding for patients with Learning Disabilities and other Vulnerable Patients   

Important Medication Information

We would like to advise patients with COVID 19 symptoms to hold some medication whilst unwell. The medication included are listed below

• Metformin

• ACE Inhibitors – eg Ramipril

• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers – eg Losartan

• Diuretics – eg Furosemide

• Anti-inflammatories – eg ibuprofen