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Protect your child against measles
It’s very important to make sure that your child has had two doses of the MMR vaccine – this will protect them against three serious illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella. If your child is aged one or over and hasn’t had their vaccinations, please contact us at the practice as soon as you can to arrange an appointment.
Measles spreads very easily between people who aren’t vaccinated. You can catch it just by spending time in the same room as someone. And it can cause children and people with a weakened immune system to be very unwell.
You may have heard on the news about measles cases in some parts of the country. To stop measles spreading further, the NHS is encouraging all parents to make sure that their children have been vaccinated. We usually offer the first dose of MMR vaccine when your child turns one, then the second dose before they start school as part of the ‘pre-school booster’.
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. If you think your child might have measles, check symptoms on the NHS website. Keep your child at home and call us for advice.
Find out more on the NHS website.
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Message from your local NHS about help and support available from GP practices
- All the healthcare staff working in general practice are facing a big increase in demand for their services, so your patience is really appreciated.
- This message helps to explain to you the reasons for some of the recent changes you may have experienced at your local GP practice.
GP services are busier than ever before, delivering more appointments but in a different way.
We are sorry to hear the experiences of people who are finding it difficult to get through on the telephone or who are unhappy with the types of appointment offered. If you need to see someone in person, you still can. We appreciate your patience during this difficult period.
Why are things different from before the pandemic?
Official data suggest that up to 1 in 50 people in England have COVID-19, so infection control remains a high priority especially in healthcare settings where there are sick and vulnerable people. To keep patients and staff safe we need to avoid crowded waiting rooms as well as to carry out cleaning between patient consultations and so it isn’t feasible for practices to see as many people in person as before the pandemic. If we can meet your needs by a telephone or video call this could be safer for you and others and can often be quicker and more convenient.
Currently around half of appointments are in person. Your GP team will make sure they arrange these types of appointments when needed. Your GP practice team is working hard to make sure that you get the same high standard of care whether you receive help on the phone, by a video call or in person.
With practices now doing more work over the phone, and due to the increase in the number of patients seeking help from their GP, including for vaccination queries (flu and covid), unfortunately some patients are finding it harder to get through and are facing long waits. We know this is frustrating and can be disruptive for you. We are really sorry for this and are working hard to improve your experience when contacting your GP practice.
Please do continue trying to get through to the practice on the phone when you need to and continue to use alternative ways of contacting your practice, such as filling out a secure web form (e-consult) from your GP website [link to form on website]
Helping you get the right appointment for your needs
The reception staff are trained to support you to get the right appointment for your needs and sometimes you might be asked to give information that you would prefer not to share with someone other than a doctor or health professional. It really does help to have this information in order to arrange the right appointment for you.
You may be offered an appointment with a different trained professional who works at the practice rather than a GP if this is the best person to help you. This might be a nurse, a paramedic, a pharmacist, a healthcare assistant or a physiotherapist.
We know that most of you will continue to treat your practice staff with courtesy and kindness. This is really important for all the staff at your practice and they appreciate it.
Thank you for your patience and support during these difficult times for everyone.
Welcome to The Market Square Surgery
The Market Square GP surgery in Waltham Abbey provides high quality healthcare to patients in the West Essex area. Our doctors, nurses and all our other staff are dedicated to offering a professional service.
The practice is located in the Waltham Abbey Health Centre which is purpose built and is accessible to all patients as it meets current requirements for disabled/wheelchair users.
As well as a source of information about our practice and the services we provide, we hope you will use this website as a useful resource for other health-related information.
Chaperones
We will always respect your privacy, dignity and your religious and cultural beliefs particularly when intimate examinations are advisable - these will only be carried out with your express agreement and you will be offered a chaperone to attend the examination if you so wish.
You may also request a chaperone when making the appointment or on arrival at the surgery (please let the receptionist know) or at any time during the consultation.
Ordering repeat prescriptions over Bank Holidays
If you need to order a repeat prescription, please use the NHS app to make a request or use the repeat medication slip detailing what you need (tick the items you want) and place the paper slip into the relevant prescription collection box at reception of your GP practice, during opening hours. The turn-around time for routine repeat medicines is usually 5 working days. Your GP practice or pharmacist will be able to answer your questions and if you prefer it, your community pharmacist (chemist). PLEASE DO NOT CALL 111 FOR REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS.
NHS to offer ‘long covid’ sufferers help at specialist centres
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Concerns for Welfare: Important Links
If a parent /carer has concerns about the welfare of a child or young person:
Call 0345 603 7627 or click https://www.escb.co.uk/parentcarer/ for further information.
If you have concerns about the welfare of an adult:
Call 0345 6037630 or click https://www.essexsab.org.uk/ for further information.
For advice and support regarding domestic abuse:
Call Compass Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0330 333 7 444 or click https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/ for further information.
COVID SPRING BOOSTERS
These will begin mid April onwards for those aged over 75 years or immunosuppressed.
We will contact you nearer the time if you are eligible for a Spring Covid Booster.