Covid-19 Vaccine and NHS Pass

There is expected to be a significant increase in Covid-19 infections as the Omicron variant becomes dominant in the UK. The evidence at the moment is that a course of three vaccinations (the initial two and then a booster) will offer good protection against serious effects of the virus. We would strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get the booster. Currently this is available to everyone over 40 years old and will be extended to everyone over 18 in the next few weeks.

It is never too late to start having the protection of vaccination. Everyone over 12 years old is entitled to a first dose and everyone over 16 a second dose.

You can now book directly through the National Booking System or by calling 119.

The NHS Covid pass

The NHS Covid pass is available through the NHS app. Click that link or find it in your app store. The app will also allow you to request repeat medication from the practice and see some of your medical details.

If you cannot, or don't want to, use the app you can get to your pass through the online service.

Vaccinations Abroad

If you have had a Covid vaccination abroad and it was one of the vaccinations approved in the UK you can register this so that it appears on your NHS pass. You will need to book an appointment at a vaccination centre. Click here to book your appointment.

The approved vaccines are

Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty)
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
Moderna (Spikevax)

Emergency Eye Care

Free urgent eyecare services now available at opticians

People across Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire can now access free NHS treatment for urgent eye care from their local optician.

The brand new service commissioned by the local NHS, means that high street opticians can offer free treatment for urgent eye conditions such as itchy and red eyes, scratched or swollen eyes or unexplained reduced vision.

Anyone, whatever age and whether registered with an optician or not, will be able to access treatment for any new or worsening eye conditions.

This is a temporary service set up as a result of concerns that many patients were not seeking treatment for eye conditions due to worries about exposing themselves to Covid19 by visiting A&E departments or their GP.

A full list of those opticians who are offering this new service is available at

http://primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice/

Please ensure you ring the eye care centre prior to visiting the premises.

The Whalebridge Practice

We are an General Practice in the centre of Swindon providing services to patients across a large area of Swindon. We have a wide range of services both NHS and private.

We are open from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

Reception times of opening 11am - 3pm. Please where possible still utilise the electronic methods introduced during Covid 19.

If you can't see what you need on the website please do give us a call on Swindon 01793 692933

We aim to see urgent problems on the same day although we would request that where problems are not urgent a routine appointment is booked where we can take more time to discuss the problems.

Please note if you are taking medications that are not known to ourselves or indeed prescribed via ourselves, we cannot be held responsible.

NHS Health Check

For adults aged between 40 and 74 who has not had a health check with a Doctor in the last five years, we provide a cardiovascular health check which involes a series of routine blood tests that will show your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and type two diabetes.

These checks are availble to patients who are not already being treated for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease and who have not previously had a stroke.

Please contact reception to make an appointment for your check.