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The new system to replace eConsult has been launched today called PATCHS. You can access this by clicking the logo on the home page or via the Online Services page. We hope you find this new system easy to use.

Our eConsult system will be replaced with a new system called PATCHS on Monday 12 May. Instructions for how to use the system will be available on the PATCHS site upon launch.

Spring booster eligibilityCOVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine.Timing of the spring boosterYou should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first. You will be invited to have your booster around 6 months from your last dose, but you can have it from 3 months.If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you will be called for vaccination during the campaign; you do not have to wait for your birthday.Useful linksTo view the ‘COVID-19 Spring Booster’ digital leaflet, click here.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Rebecca Clayton to our team.

There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, coughs and colds to circulate, especially over winter. These usually get better without needing any special medical treatment or medicine.  However, children can occasionally develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.One of these bacteria is called Group A Strep (GAS), it’s very common, is not new and can be treated, responding well to antibiotics.  It has been in the news over the last few days as it has been found in some children who have become very sick, very quickly. Fortunately, this is still very rare.Most children recover well after a mild illness.  Your child may be poorly for a few days but will usually recover well. Antibiotics may help them recover quicker, but they are not always needed.  There is more GAS around this winter than in recent years, causing a lot of children to be unwell. We think this is because there is much more mixing now and these bugs are new to many young children, so they are more likely to catch and spread them.Signs that suggest your child might have Strep throat are:• Fever within the last 24 hours• White spots at the back of their throat (pus on their tonsils)• Very large or red tonsils• Sore (tender) lumps under their chin• If they have become poorly quickly over the past couple of days• No cough or runny noseIf you are concerned that your child might have these, contact 111 or the surgery.Antibiotics are not routinely recommended as a preventative treatment and should only be taken when recommended by your doctor.If there are cases identified in a child’s class, any child showing symptoms should be assessed by their GP and will be prescribed antibiotics if needed. Children are not infectious after 24 hours on treatment and can return to school once they’re feeling well enough after this period.Good hand and respiratory hygiene are also important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up, or spreading, infections.Keep unwell children off school or nursery and away from vulnerable adults and children.We know that when there are lots of viruses circulating, like flu. Reducing these viruses through vaccination can help protect against GAS outbreaks and is the best way to make sure they are protected from serious illnesses.

“Are you an unpaid carer to a vulnerable older person? Do you provide services for older people? Join our workshop bringing together the workforce and strategic health leads to develop an approach for the most vulnerable older people in our communities.”For more information, please click here.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, harmful drinking has risen significantly which has an impact on people, communities, and services. The Lower My Drinking app is free to download and use for anyone who lives or works in Cheshire and Merseyside. Please click here for more information.

“We advise users of Patient Access to check the name and email address of the sender, all emails from Patient Access will come via an email address that ends in @patientaccess.com. We advise users never to click on any log in links that you receive via email but to visit the site via the address bar of your browser instead so that you know you are on the genuine Patient Access log in page. You can find more information and guidance on our information security page here: https://www.patientaccess.com/security  We strongly advise users to set up their Memorable Word security feature, as well as using biometrics (fingerprint ID) if they use the app.  Email addresses used to register for Patient Access account are secure. We do not share any data and no data is ever saved or stored on any device you use to access Patient Access.”

There is currently a global shortage of blood tubes used for taking blood tests which is having a significant impact on the services we deliver. Anyone who needs a blood test for urgent health problems will still get one. However, where it’s safe to do so, your clinician may ask you to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.If you are booked in for a blood test or are waiting for one, we are reviewing all requests to find out if it needs to be taken urgently, or if your test can wait until there are sufficient blood bottles available.Given the nature of the shortage, they may not be able to give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, you will get a test. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

NHS England has confirmed that following the Prime Minister’s announcement that face coverings and social distancing will still be required in Healthcare Facilities.The safety of both our staff and our patients is of paramount importance and face coverings or face masks should be worn by patients in a practice setting. We expect that all patients who are able to do so will follow these recommendations to protect our vulnerable patients and staff.