An Important Update From Your NHS in South East London

GPs are providing more appointments for patients with urgent health needs, including evenings and weekends. Contact your own practice and they will tell you how to arrange local, same-day appointments if you need urgent care. There may be some disruption to non-urgent services over the next two weeks as practices respond to urgent care requests. However, please do not contact your GP practice or other NHS service to enquire about the COVID-19 vaccine or when you might receive it. If you would like information on the vaccine please visit the NHS South East London CCG website.

Your pharmacies are also available to provide advice and support or you can contact NHS 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice – including if you have concerns about COVID-19 symptoms. They will be able to ensure that you receive the care that you need, including booking urgent GP or hospital appointments.

Please remember that 999 and A&E are for medical emergencies only.

Thank you to all our south east London residents for continuing to follow the Tier 4 rules, which will help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe. This means staying at home whenever possible, and remembering Hands, Face and Space.

Approval of the Oxford University Astra Zeneca vaccine

A welcoming news is that the Oxford University/Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This will enable NHS to progress its vaccination programme, however it is important that people note that this is the largest vaccination programme ever carried out by the NHS and is a huge challenge that will take some time. NHS is moving quickly to roll-out the vaccine to those who most need it but local people are needed to do their part and may help NHS by not contacting them to request a vaccine. NHS will contact you when it is your turn.