Through Scarborough Learning Centre we have a traineeship opportunity for a receptionist at our Sandsend Surgery. The successful applicant will receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way, provide general assistance to the Practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone.

Around 2.3 million people, aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP practice in England, will receive an invitation to take part in Europe’s biggest patient experience survey in early January. The invitations go out by letter to a sample of people from each of more than 6800 practices. The data provides vital information to the NHS to identify what’s working well and what can be improved.

Having a better understanding of your asthma can help you to look after your health. Recognising when your asthma isn’t as well controlled can reduce the risk of having an asthma attack and needing hospital care. The leaflet below (PDF) provides information and resources to help you manage your asthma.

Vaccinations are being delivered according to priority groups identified by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccinations may not take place at your GP practice, but rather a local vaccination service (led by GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists) who are responsible for delivering the vaccine to people in your community.

When it is the right time for you to receive your vaccination, you will receive an invitation to come forward. This may be via the phone, or through a letter either from your GP or the national booking system.

We know lots of people will be eager to get protected but we are asking people not to contact us to get an appointment as you will not be able to get one until you are contacted.

As you may have heard the government have announced that patients aged 50–64 years old will be eligible for a free flu vaccination from their GP practice as part of the flu vaccination programme.

This is a great opportunity for us to protect even more of our patients at a time where there are additional health risks associated with Covid-19 (coronavirus).

Please go online or telephone the surgery for your appointment.

We urge anyone who’s in a clinical risk group to take up the vaccination offer when they receive it. It will give them a much-needed layer of protection and there is absolutely no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases the risk of getting Covid-19.

Those eligible are:

• patients over 65
• anyone under 65 with a chronic disease
• patients ages 2+3 years (if reception–year 7, please book at school)
• pregnant patients.

Please contact the surgery to book an appointment or to check eligibility.