If you do not want your identifiable patient data to be shared outside of your GP practice for purposes except for your own care, you can register an opt-out with your GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out.

Type 1 Opt-outs were introduced in 2013 for data sharing from GP practices, but may be discontinued in the future as a new opt-out has since been introduced to cover the broader health and care system, called the National Data Opt-out. If this happens people who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.

NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out in line with current policy. If this changes patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.

If you do not want your patient data shared with NHS Digital, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice. You can register a Type 1 Opt-out at any time. You can also change your mind at any time and withdraw a Type 1 Opt-out.

Data sharing with NHS Digital will start on 1 September 2021.

If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice your data will not be shared with NHS Digital.

If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by you to your GP practice. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this. You can send the form by post or email to your GP practice or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you.

If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after your patient data has already been shared with NHS Digital, no more of your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will however still hold the patient data which was shared with us before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research/transparency-notice#opting-out-of-nhs-digital-collecting-your-data-type-1-opt-out-

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from: 

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores 

• the NHS website 

It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use this service.

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had 2 vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel abroad in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.

When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get  proof of your vaccination status before you leave.

IF YOU HAVE COVID SYMPTOMS THERE IS GUIDANCE AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Over 4000 of our patients have now received their Covid Vaccine either at Hume Street or at mass vaccination centres. Thank you for the very positive feedback about our systems to invite patients and the efficiency of our Covid Clinics.

Our text appointment system continues to work well allowing patients to directly book their appointment on their mobile phone.

PLEASE CAN WE REMIND YOU ALL THAT IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER YOU SHOULD LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

In the next few days we will be contacting patients who were vaccinated on the 19th/20th December for their second vaccination. As these are amongst our oldest patients, we will be ringing them so please let your relatives (who are patients of ours) know to look out for our call, and remind them we never ask for financial information. Respective surgeries will be contacting their patients when their 2nd vaccination is available. Please do not contact the surgeries to enquire - we will contact you.

The Government has now said that anyone aged 65 to 70 who has not had their first vaccination will be invited by government letter to book an appointment at one of the mass vaccination sites, meanwhile General Practices will be concentrating on patients who are 16-64 who are clinically vulnerable - ie, they have an underlying condition that would make contracting Covid more serious for them.

The Wyre Forest Network of Independent Practices are working very closely together and are inviting patients from Aylmer Lodge Cookley Partnership, Northumberland House, Stanmore House, Wolverley Surgery and Chaddesley Corbett Surgery for their vaccinations at Hume Street Medical Centre. The expectation is that patients will attend the same site that they had their first vaccination for their second, in order to ensure continuity and adequate vaccine supply - this includes patients that attended a mass vaccination centre for their first vaccine.

Please continue to support us by respecting Social Distancing measures, and wearing a face mask when you enter Hume Street Medical Centre or any of the surgeries that make up the Network.

Many thanks for your patience and continued support at this time.

There is a scam circulating at the moment stating that you are eligible for a Covid Vaccine. NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS. SOME OF THESE SCAMS LOOK VERY GENUINE. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT SEEK ADVICE, DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS.

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE, YOU WILL BE CONTED DIRECTLY BY US.

ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONER -2 posts. 1 f/t& 1 p/t

TO COMMENCE ASAP.

PLEASE APPLY VIA THE NHS JOBS WEBSITE OR CONTACT THE PRACTICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/916537690

Patients of Cookley Surgery.

As a response to some recent comments on our Facebook page we wish to clarify that Cookley Surgery is still operating.

During an extremely challenging few months, our team at Cookley has continued to provide excellent care to our patients. We have had a Doctor at Cookley running surgeries since the Pandemic started. Our GPs have had to adopt new technologies and ways of working to safely provide continuity of care to our patients. We have worked closely with, and are guided by, our local Clinical Commisioning Group and Public Health England and have put extensive plans in place to protect both our staff and our patients. These plans are reviewed and adapted weekly after wider discussion with these organisations.

Some services have been temporarily reduced - ie Phlebotomy. This is because there is no safe or practical way to provide this service at Cookley at this time. We have however, provided a service for Cookley patients at our Hume Street facility. Some Practices no-longer provide any phlebotomy to their patients and direct all their patients to the hospital for their blood tests. We wish to continue this service for all our patients.

Our dispensing service has expanded and we are now delivering medication to our vulnerable patients - this is a service that we plan to continue.

We are currently organising the vaccination of patients at Wesley Court and Drummart House. Residents will be informed when this will take place.

We created a Facebook Page so we could share service information quickly and to a wider audience. We think that most of our patients have found the information that we post helpful. Can we please request that in future, if you have a concern about service provision, that you contact the practice directly to discuss. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

We would like to reassure all our patients that we have been providing Face to Face appointments with our doctors and nurses throughout the pandemic. It is important that anyone needing medical advice speaks to one of the Clinical Team first on the telephone, in order to decide how best to safely provide their care. Please rest assured that we are still able to see patients and examine them whenever this is appropriate in a safe way. Thank you for your understanding.

FROM THE 24TH JULY YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE MASK OR FACE COVERING WHEN YOU ATTEND THE PRACTICE. UNLESS YOU HAVE A VALID EXEMPTION - PLEASE SEE GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON THIS HERE:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Many patient have asked for information regarding exemption from wearing a face covering. Please click on the link below for guidance. Do not contact the surgery to request a letter - we DO NOT provide these. Thank you for your understanding.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

During these times it may be difficult to get a dental appointment if you need it. Please refer to the Government guidelines if you cannot get an appointment with your usual dentist.

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/how-can-i-access-an-nhs-dentist-in-an-emergency-or-out-of-hours/

EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 5 WITH COVID 19 SYMPTOMS WHICH INCLUDE NEW CONTINUOUS COUGH, HIGH FEVER OR LOSS/CHANGE OF TASTE OR SMELL CAN REQUEST A TEST. CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR GUIDANCE:

Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#who-can-be-tested

WE ARE STILL RUNNING OUR BABY IMMUNISATION CLINICS. IT IS EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR CHILD HAS THEIR VACCINATIONS. OUR NURSES ARE KITTED OUT WITH ALL THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT (AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTO TO THE RIGHT) TO KEEP THEM, AND YOU AND YOUR BABIES SAFE. SEE YOU SOON!

 If you need help or know of someone that needs help, you can self refer into this programme by telephoning 0808 196 3646

There are 3  types of volunteers available to support you in the community if you are shielding

• Community Response volunteer: volunteers to collect and deliver shopping, medication or other essential supplies.
• Patient Transport volunteer: volunteers to provide transport to patients who are ready for discharge and ensure that they are settled safely back into their homes.
• Check in and Chat volunteer: volunteers to provide telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness 

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

There is heightened coverage around the recent Coronavirus outbreak around the world, which is now severely impacting on the UK and the NHS. 

Unfortunately fraudsters are targeting these circumstances to take advantage of public fear and concern

We have been made aware that our patients are receiving phone calls, texts and letters from fraudsters. They will try and obtain your personal details and in particular your NHS number.

Scammers are sophisticated, opportunistic and will try many ways to get the information they want. They often target the vulnerable.

If you are suspicious, do not give any details over the phone, hang up and then ring your GP Practice to confirm.

You can also report to Action Fraud:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

HAVE YOU, OR HAS SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR GOT DIABETES? DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE SICK DAY RULES!!

TYPE 1https://trend-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/A5_T1Illness_TREND_FINAL.pdf

TYPE 2 https://trend-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/A5_T2Illness_TREND_FINAL.pdf

PLEASE ACCESS OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE WE WILL BE POSTING LOTS OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

@AylmerCookley

Welcome to Aylmer Lodge Cookley Partnership, a surgery and medical centre providing primary care for Kidderminster, Cookley and surrounding areas.

We are a large Practice with 11 doctors, working on our two sites in Hume Street Medical Centre, Kidderminster and Cookley village. We hope you take your time to browse our website where you will find lots of useful information about the surgery and the services we offer.

Our team consists of doctors, nurses and administrative staff and we are a modern general practice. Hume Street Medical Centre has a large purpose built carpark for our patients use, free of charge, when they are visiting the surgery.

Cookley is a rural dispensing practice. We can dispense medication to patients who live more than a mile from a dispensing chemist.

Our aim is to offer the highest standard of health care and advice to our patients, with the resources available to us.

We have a team approach to patient care and endeavour to monitor the service provided to patients to ensure that it meets current standards of excellence.

We are dedicated to ensuring that practice staff and doctors are trained to the highest level to provide a stimulating and rewarding environment in which to work.