Measles is circulating, it is serious, very infectious and can cause complications especially for those with a weakened immune system, babies under one year and pregnant women.
Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) are highly infectious conditions that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
You need two doses of the MMR vaccine to get the best protection.
If your child is due to have had 2 doses of MMR but has not yet received them, no matter what age they are, you should contact the GP Surgery to get them vaccinated as soon as possible. If you can’t remember if your child has had any, 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccine, check his or her personal health record (the Red Book). If this doesn’t help, contact the GP Surgery.
Think Measles – It’s not just a kids’ problem
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.
Symptoms of measles include:
high temperature
rash – sometimes starting around the ears
red, sore, watery eyes
cough
aching and feeling unwell
For more information on measles (including symptoms and images) and the MMR vaccine, please visit the NHS website.
If you think you’ve got measles – Call ahead
Remember, if it could be measles – they need to be in area where they cannot pass the infection to vulnerable patients such as the immunocompromised and pregnant women.
If it could be measles, don’t go to the surgery, walk-in centre or A&E. Stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice – Call ahead, that way if you do have measles, you won’t pass it on to others.
Wellbeing Resources
If you are in crisis, these are the services to contact in Newham:
You can call the 24-hour crisis service on 0800 073 0066.
Please also see your General Practitioner (GP) to discuss what could help and support you at the moment.
If you are in education at school or college, you may be able to see a counsellor there.
The following organisations do offer counselling and support to young people. Please find a list of organisations to whom you can refer yourself below:
Supporting young people get mental health support and build resilience. It also offers a parent helpline and support for parents of young people—mainly self-help on the website.
Provides support for young people up to the age of 25; young people who self-harm. The Wïsh Centre is a London based charity that prevents self-harm, abuse and exploitation of young people. We are a community-based model that provides open-ended therapy and counselling in schools and at our Centre, plus peer support groups, out of hours help, and advice and training. The Wish Centre is a free service for youth ages 10-25 years.
Newham – NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Newham – York House, 411 Barking Road, Plaistow, London E13 8AL.
Phone: 020 8430 9000
Opening hours 9.00 am-5.00 pm.
Referrals can be made through your GP, school, social services and other agencies. It is also possible to make “Self-Referral’s” to our services, by Parents, Carers and Young People –
Life throws a lot at young people, and sometimes everyone struggles to overcome problems and challenges. And that’s okay. HeadStart is for 10-16-year-olds living in Newham who would benefit from additional support to improve their mental health.
Kooth offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11 and 24 years and is available until 10 pm every day. Kooth PLC is a digital mental health and well-being company that provides a welcoming space for digital mental health care, open to all.
A confidential support service for young people having thoughts of suicide.
Family Lives
Call 0808 800 2222 for information and advice on any aspect of parenting and family life, including bullying.
Mermaids
Call 0344 334 0550 for emotional support for transgender and gender diverse young people and their families/friends. Visit www.mermaidsuk.org.uk
B-eat
Call 0808 801 0711 or visit www.b-eat.co.uk for help to beat eating disorders.
You can also call these national helplines:
ChildLine
Call 0800 1111 to talk to a counsellor for free anytime. You can also log in for a 1-2-1 chat or email (www.childline.org.uk/get-support)
Young Minds Crisis Messenger
Text “YM” to 85258. A free crisis messenger service support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need help, you can text YM at 85258.
Samaritans Freephone
116 123 (24-hour crisis line for people contemplating harming themselves)
Saneline
0300 304 7000 4:30 pm – 10:30 pm every day (Practical information, crisis care and emotional support).
Need help with your muscle or joint problems?
NHS North East London – TNW MSK app is now available to all patients. It’s a FREE, easy-to-use tool helping you to self-manage your muscle, bone, and joint (MSK) injuries and conditions.
No need to wait for an appointment
Instant access to a personalised plan
Safe and effective
What is getUBetter? getUBetter is an app helping you self-manage at home, work, and on the move. It can be accessed on a Smartphone or via the Web. It covers a range of MSK injuries and condition, like back pain and ankle pain, and is designed to help you recover, understand when and where to seek help, and prevent further injuries.
Who is getUBetter for?
Anyone over 18
Anyone who’s been advised or chose to self-manage
Anyone waiting for treatment
What will I get?
A personalised recovery plan
Step-by-step guidance
Exercises based on your condition
Advice to seek help, if needed.
Referral to your local healthcare providers, treatments, and services, if needed.
How do I download and use getUBetter?
Follow this link to access your local health service
With the same email, create an account on the app
Follow the instructions on the app, get your recovery plan and get better!
Vital importance of childhood immunisations
Most routine vaccinations that will protect your child from diseases including measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus and whooping cough are given by your GP before they start school. However, you can catch up at any time if your child has missed vaccinations and you can easily check if you aren’t sure.
You can search ‘NHS child vaccines’ online or visit nhs.uk/child-vaccines to see which vaccinations are given when. You can check your child’s health record (red book) or contact your GP to see if they are up to date.
Your GP can also arrange for you to catch up with vaccinations. If your child had first vaccinations abroad it is important you still have routine vaccinations here, and your GP can help arrange that. If you’re not registered with a GP, you can register online (anyone can register and you don’t need ID or proof of address).
If you have a recent problem with your eyes – such as sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance – you can be assessed and treated by our local Minor Eye Conditions Service.
This is a free NHS service available from a number of local opticians to all patients registered with a Newham GP and over 10 years of age.
What is a Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)?
Conditions that can be seen under the service include: ● Red eye or eyelids ● Dry eye, or gritty and uncomfortable eyes ● Irritation and inflammation of the eye ● Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye ● Recently occurring flashes or floaters ● Ingrowing eyelashes ● Recent and sudden loss of vision ● Foreign body in the eye
Please note, this is not a sight test
Also, if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
An appointment will normally be required, so telephone first. Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointment at weekends.
How do I book an appointment with the service?
To make an appointment, call one of the opticians listed above. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within a few days for routine appointments.
You can get Advice or Treatment within 2 – 4 working days depending on the clinical priority of your submission.
We have now gone live with our new online consultation service-Patient Triage. This is a great way for you to contact our practice for non-urgent medical or admin requests.
It is very simple to fill out so please do give it a go if you need to contact us. Please try to give as much specific and concise information as possible. We really think it is easier for most people than waiting on hold to speak to a receptionist. If you do not have access to the internet or find it difficult to use a computer or smartphone you can call reception instead.
Getting Started is Easy!
Your submission will be reviewed by a member of our clinical team who will assess the urgency of your condition / request. Depending on the clinical priority of your submission, we aim to contact you within 2 – 4 working days.
If a Doctor needs to contact you, the Doctor will attempt to call you twice from a number which may show as WITHHELD. If there is no response then the case will be closed. You will need to resubmit a new form.
ONLINE
SYSTEMS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR EMERGENCIES – IN AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 999 OR 111 FOR AN
URGENT MEDICAL PROBLEM.
Your route to urgent help
Knowing your best route to urgent care can help you find the treatment you need faster.
You should only attend A&E if you need immediate care for something that is very serious or life-threatening.
Your GP surgery should usually be the first place you contact if you have particular concern about your health. Appointments are available out of hours, in the evenings, on weekends and bank holidays.
If you feel unwell or have a minor injury, your local pharmacy can offer advice and some medicines. This can help you treat your condition yourself at home.
If you have a more serious illness, you should visit your GP practice website or NHS 111 online for advice. If you cannot access the internet, call 111 or your GP practice directly.
A 999 call should only be used for life-threatening emergencies or serious injuries.
Evening and weekend appointments are available with GPs and Nurses.
From 1st October 2022, Newham Health Collaborative (NHC, Newham GP Federation) will provide Enhanced Access Service appointments on Monday to Friday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with GPs and Nurses at Essex Lodge Surgery Hub Centre. Patients can call on 020 3839 7513 (phone lines are open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday to Saturday) to book or cancel their appointments.
Alternatively, patients can contact Essex Lodge Surgery on 020 8472 4888 during surgery opening hours to book or cancel their appointments.
For urgent medical advice please ring NHS 111, and for life threatening emergencies, please call 999.
What is Enhanced Access Service?
The Enhanced Access Service makes it easier for you to get an appointment at a time that suits you including evenings and weekends. The service offers pre-bookable (up to two weeks in advance), routine primary care appointments with GPs and Nurses at Essex Lodge Surgery Hub Centre.
When will the Enhanced Access Service be available?
The new service will be available from1st October 2022.
Who can access these appointments?
Any patients registered at Essex Lodge GP Surgery.
Where will my appointment take place?
The appointments will take place from Essex Lodge Surgery Hub Centre, 94 Greengate Street, Plaistow, London, E13 0AS
Day
Appointment Time
Monday
18:30 to 20:00
Tuesday
18:30 to 20:00
Wednesday
18:30 to 20:30
Thursday
18:30 to 20:00
Friday
18:30 to 20:00
Saturday
09:00 to 17:00
Can I walk-in at the Hub Centre and book an appointment?
This is not a walk-in service for Urgent Care. Please be advised that Patients will NOT be seen if they walk-in to a Hub.
How do I book an appointment?
You can call to book an appointment through the single point of access number on 020 3839 7513 (the phone lines are open on Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm) or contact via Essex Lodge Surgery reception team on 020 8472 4888.
What can I be seen for?
An enhanced access service appointment is exactly like an appointment at your own GP practice.
Will I see my own GP and/or nurse?
You will be seen by experienced GPs, and nurses, but it is unlikely that you will be seen by your own GP or nurse at all times.
Will the GP or nurse I see have access to my medical record during my appointment?
Your medical record will, with your consent, be available to the GP that sees you, to ensure that they have the information they need to give you the best possible care. Notes of your appointment will be sent back to your own GP practice electronically to ensure that your record is up-to-date.
How do I cancel or change an appointment?
If you are unable to attend your appointment it is important you let us know so we can offer the appointment to someone else. If you need to cancel or change the appointment, please call the single point of access number on 020 3839 7513. Alternatively, you can cancel / change your appointment by informing Essex Lodge Surgery on 020 8472 4888 during their normal opening hours.
What happens after my appointment if I need a follow-up or further care?
Your registered GP Practice and the Enhanced Access Service are linked electronically so that after your consultation a discharge summary will be sent to your GP surgery. The management of any follow-up, onward referral or further medical care will remain with your registered GP Practice.
How do you contact us for more information in relations to Enhanced Access service?
If you have any questions about the Newham Central PCN Enhanced Access Service, or you would like to know more about the services we offer, or how to make a compliment or complaint, please contact the Newham Health Collaborative, Newham Central PCN Enhanced Access Service Manager via email at [email protected].
