Byadmin
Covid-19 Vaccine
Below is a list of of surgeries offering the vaccine. Please check below what surgery you attend and where you need to go for your Jab i.e. if you are a thornhills patient you will get your jab from Avicenna
All Covid-19 vaccinations will be provided through booked appointments. The
list of locations is for information only. Please do not directly contact or visit locations unless you have been invited to attend.
| Site name | Providing vaccinations for |
| Abbey Court Medical Centre, Tunbridge Wells | Kingswood Surgery, Speldhurst & Greggswood Medical Practice, Clanricarde Medical Centre, Grosvenor & St James Medical Practice, Abbey Court Medical Centre, St Andrews Medical Centre, Rusthall Medical Centre, Waterfield House Practice, Lonsdale Medical Centre |
| Avicenna Medical Centre, Leybourne | Thornhills Medical Practice, Snodland Medical Practice, West Malling Group Practice, Wateringbury Surgery, Phoenix Medical Practice |
| Blackthorn Medical Centre, Maidstone | Aylesford Medical Centre, Blackthorn Medical Centre, College Practice |
| Bower Mount Medical Centre, Maidstone | Bower Mount Medical Practice, Bower Mount Medical Practice, The Vine Medical Centre, Northumberland Court |
| Greensands Branch Surgery (Loose), Maidstone | Albion Place Medical Practice, Greensand Health Centre – Stockett Lane, The Mote Medical Practice, Wallis Avenue Surgery |
Headcorn Surgery (Begins week of 11 January) | Howell Surgery, Northridge Medical Practice, Yalding Surgery, Lamberhurst Surgery, Marden Medical Centre, Old Parsonage Surgery, Old School Surgery, Crane Practice, Malling Four Health (Staplehurst), Wish Valley Surgery, Orchard End Surgery |
| Len Valley Branch Surgery (Glebe), Maidstone | Bearsted Medical Practice, Len Valley Practice, Headcorn Surgery, Sutton Valence Surgery, Orchard Surgery (Langley) |
Sevenoaks Medical Centre (Begins week of 4 January) | Amherst Medical Practice, Edenbridge Medical Practice, Westerham Practice, Town Medical Centre, Borough Green Medical Practice, Otford Medical Practice, St Johns Medical Practice, South Park Medical Centre |
Tonbridge Baptist Church (Begins week of 11 January) | Hildenborough Medical Group, Tonbridge Medical Group (Dunorlan), Warders Medical Centre, Woodlands Health Centre, Hadlow Medical Centre |
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine
The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.
The vaccine is being offered in some hospitals, some pharmacies and hundreds of local vaccination centres run by GPs.
It’s being given to:
- some people aged 80 and over who already have a hospital appointment in the next few weeks
- people who live or work in care homes
- health and social care workers at high risk
You will also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England. You can register with a GP if you do not have one.
The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Read the latest JCVI advice on priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccination on GOV.UK
for more information about the vaccine priority list click here.
Wait to be contacted
The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
Advice if you’re of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding
There’s no evidence the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe if you’re pregnant. But more evidence is needed before you can be routinely offered the vaccine.
The JCVI has updated its advice to recommend you may be able to have the vaccine if you’re pregnant and:
- at high risk of getting coronavirus because of where you work
- have a health condition that means you’re at high risk of serious complications of coronavirus
You can have the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re breastfeeding.
Speak to a healthcare professional before you have the vaccination. They will discuss the benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccine with you.
You do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination. The vaccine cannot give you or your baby COVID-19.
How the COVID-19 vaccine is given
The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.
It’s given as 2 doses. You will have the 2nd dose 3 to 12 weeks after having the 1st dose.
How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccines approved for use in the UK have been developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
They have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.
Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
So far, thousands of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported.
Read about the approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 by MHRA on GOV.UK
Read about the approved Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 by MHRA on GOV.UK
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.
There is a chance you might still get or spread coronavirus even if you have the vaccine.
This means it is important to:
- continue to follow social distancing guidance
- if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it’s hard to stay away from other people
Information:
Read more about why vaccines are safe and important, including how they work and what they contain.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects
Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and should not last longer than a week, such as:
- a sore arm where the needle went in
- feeling tired
- a headache
- feeling achy
- feeling or being sick
You can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you need to.
If you have a high temperature you may have coronavirus or another infection.
If your symptoms get worse or you are worried, call 111.
Allergic reactions
Tell healthcare staff before you are vaccinated if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
You should not have the vaccine if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to:
- a previous vaccine
- a previous dose of the same COVID-19 vaccine
- some medicines, household products or cosmetics
Serious allergic reactions are rare. If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Information:
You can report any suspected side effect using the Coronavirus Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Coronavirus Yellow Card to report a vaccine side effect
COVID-19 vaccine ingredients
The 2 approved COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any animal products or egg.
Previous
Next
Byadmin
NHS mental Health crisis new number
The new Freephone number 0800 783 9111 is for anyone who needs urgent mental health support, advice and guidance but callers may be charged if calling from a mobile telephone number.
Byadmin
New Young People’s Wellbeing Instagram account
On Friday 9 October a new Instagram account was launched, aimed at young people within NHS services and their peers; @kentandmedwaycamhs
The channel has been set up to help better support and communicate with young people who might be struggling with their mental health or wellbeing. The service wants to raise awareness and understanding of various wellbeing challenges and empower young people to feel more in control of their own mental health.
Below are some of the key aims for the account:
· Improving service awareness
· Helping young people to build positive relationships with social media
· Improving participation and young people’s involvement in service improvements
· Increasing young people’s emotional resilience
· Removing the stigma around receiving mental health treatment.
Byadmin
One You Kent Digital
The One You team in West Kent have been very busy over the last few months, providing befriending and support services to those who have needed it during the lockdown period.
In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, we, like many services have had to change the way we interact with people. We have continued to support those who would like to lose weight, move more, drink less and quit smoking including running a successful trial of an online weight loss group.
Due to this success, following government guidelines, we are re-launching One You as a digital service until we can return to seeing clients face-to-face. This will include online weight loss groups, 1:1 video consultations and much more to help keep clients engaged and on track. To refer into our service, complete the online referral form. If you would like to contact us about anything, please send us an email to westkentoneyou@nhs.net or call 0300 020 0636
Byadmin
NHS Talking Therapy (IAPT)
Talking therapy services offer time-limited, evidence-based psychological therapies. All services offer treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), stress management and sometimes group work. Psychological therapies can help with anxiety, depression, Stress, trauma, Phobias and other related problems. All services are operating remotely via telephone and online appointments. Therapeutic appointments are available weekdays and evenings and some weekend appointments are available. NHS England have provided evidence that online treatment is as effective as face to face and patient experience is reported as high satisfaction. Call 0300 012 0012 or go to www.wearewithyou.org.uk.
Byadmin
Maidstone Hospital Drive-Through Pharmacy for Cancer Patients
A drive through pharmacy has been set up so cancer patients can receive vital medication without the need to enter Maidstone Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.
The cabin, known as a Medicines Pick Up Pod – or mPUP for short, has been set up in car park B next to the Kent Oncology Centre so patients, or a relative or carer, can drive up or arrive on foot to collect their prescribed medicines.
Branded a Medicines Pick Up Pod, the temporary pharmacy is staffed by members of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s oncology pharmacy team.
For more information, please visit the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust website.
Byadmin
Mental Wellbeing While Staying at Home
Every Mind Matters has expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing while staying at home. Here are some tips and advice around things you can do now to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing.
Byadmin
KCHFT update
Many of our services have been temporarily suspended, or being delivered in a different way. You can find details on our website about all of our service changes.
We are also busy recruiting new staff, including registered nurses and healthcare assistants, who are currently going through shortlisting, employment checks and interviews. We also urgently need temporary staff to cover shifts in our hospitals. All of the information about jobs can be found here.
If you are working from home, self-isolating or looking after family, friends or neighbours, you can find help, advice and resources on keeping active, mental health and emotional wellbeing, supporting children and young people, community support across Kent and support to stop smoking, at our website here.
The NHS is still here for you and your family. Please speak to your GP or visit minor injuries (or A&E if life-threatening) if you are concerned about your health or have an injury. There’s a handy guide for parents here.
You can find all the latest advice on symptoms and what to do if you think you have coronavirus at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Byadmin
Kent safe havens
The Kent and Medway Safe Havens are there to support your mental health 365 days of the year. If you are struggling and need to speak to someone you can just drop in. Available 6pm – 11pm 365 days per year for anyone 16+. Drop in no appointment is needed. There are now five havens open in Kent and Medway for more information go to www.kmpt.nhs.uk/Safehavenskentmedway
Byadmin
COVID-19 NHS guide for parents
Click on this link here guidance for parents on what to do if a child shows any of the symptoms or signs.
Byadmin
A message from SECAmb
We are aware of a voice message being shared currently on social media regarding the ambulance response to coronavirus. The alarmist information being shared in the message is not correct. We would urge people to disregard the message and not share it further.
In line with our ongoing plans during this challenging time, we are continuing to follow national guidelines regarding the ambulance response and thank the public for their ongoing support in following the government’s advice
We are a healthy living centre offering various health and wellbeing services and social support for Park Wood and across Maidstone. We also run various activities and events for all ages throughout the year, especially around national holidays and celebratory days.
Our centre also includes computers for public use and free WiFi; printing, photocopying and scanning facilities; and room hire for meetings
Everyone is welcome!
Fusion Maidstone HLC
2 & 3 Cobb Way, Off Livingstone Walk, Park Wood, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9XF
Tel: 01622 691177
Email: enquiries@fusionhlc.org.uk