NEWS...

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch runs from 

Friday 29 to Sunday 31 January.

To play your part in the world’s largest bird survey this January click on the link below.

 Taking Part in Big Garden Birdwatch - RSPB 

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**  TWO LOCAL REQUESTS  **

DARK SKIES February is a busy month for happenings up above and we've had a couple of requests to ask villagers to PLEASE turn off any necessary outside lights after dusk.  Thank you.

WALKERS Whilst it's appreciated that during the current lockdown folk wish to get out, have a walk and enjoy the local area PLEASE remember that fields which contain public footpaths are owned and therefore maintained by our local farmers primarily for the purposes of raising their valuable livestock.

Sightings of dog walkers letting their animals run off the lead around, through and near flocks of sheep have recently been noted.  PLEASE remember that most ewes are 'in lamb' and are also our farmers livelihood.   

PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN WALKING WITH DOGS NEAR SHEEP.

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"NATURE NEVER DID BETRAY THE HEART THAT LOVED HER"

Wordsworth.

Mortimer Medical Practice January’21 PPG meeting update.....

Remote Deliveries The policy has had to be amended to take into account

both Council and local group collections of medication for shielding patients

during COVID restrictions.

Appointment Figures Appointments booked which includes both face 2 face

and telephone consultations for all clinicians Dec 20: 3362. DNA 83 which is

a  DNA Rate of  2.5%. 

It was felt given the pandemic any DNA figure was surprising. 

Green Impact Paper bags to replace plastic is underway Dispensary are

currently looking into sourcing. 

The recycling of inhalers has again ceased the waste company will no longer accept them as recyclable.

COVID Vaccination Programme- We are working to the government priority 

list. We are currently working our way through the over 80s. We anticipate

finishing and starting on the over 75s by Saturday 23.01.21.

Invitation letters are usually sent but if the interim time of receiving the vaccine and it having to be used a phone call may be made. Please insure your contact details are correct, this can be checked via the EMIS web site.

Housebound patients will receive a call from Sister Louise Burke over the next couple of weeks now we have a vaccine that can be moved. 

The aspiration is to send out letters with a link to book directly into the clinic. 

Once you receive your vaccination you will be given a vaccination card with the

vaccination name and date you had it. 

At this time second appointments (12

weeks time) has not been confirmed. 

Any Patient with a past medical history of severe anaphylaxis should avoid the

Pyizer vaccination. These patients are already flagged up at the Hub.

There is no plan at this time to deliver the COVID vaccine at Practice level. All

appointments will run through Leominster Bridge Street Sports Centre. The six practices in N&W Herefordshire are operating this vaccine hub, a patient figure in the region of 65,000.

Cont/d...

.....2

 A plea has been made to ask patients not to call the surgery to ask when they will receive their vaccination. These calls are jamming up the phone lines. We cannot book people outside the age defined cohort that is set by the Government and we move down when instructed and when that cohort has been completed. The practice will be in touch when it is your turn.   

Flu Clinics  We ran an over 50s flu clinic at the beginning of Dec 20. Across 3 sites we had 616 flu vaccines administered. Total vaccines just over 3284. 

Appointments are still available. 

Practice News Staff Update · Maggie Smith has  retired · Julie Garfield who is taking over from Maggies will be joining us from 18 Jan 21· Dr Richard Dales will be emigrating Mar/Apr.· Dr Morgan Cadman-Davies new Partner starting 01 Mar 21. 

Questions from patients

1.>10 Miles from COVID Vaccination Centre- It was asked if Ludlow could be used as Leominster is further than 10 miles from Leintwardine? Fiona explained that Ludlow was not in our Network and do not have cross boarder agreements. They will not have access to the patients Medical Records. The North and West network have set up the Hub in Leominster and is shared with 5 other Practices from the network. This incudes staffing the clinic. There are no plans to open further Hubs. 

2.Picking up from Pharmacy – Is there a way of sending a message to Patients if item are out of stock? Jeanne Wood explained a national shortage does cause problems across all dispensaries. The postal system has it floors too. The Practice will look into this issue and discuss at the next meeting.

3.Brexit Has the Practice dispensaries had problems or delays with deliveries and ordering due to Brexit? Jeanne Wood assured the group that there has been no disruption due to Brexit.

Patient Comment -Cancer Bowel Screening for over 60s has been praised for its simplicity and efficiency .

ADDENDUM... SINCE THE MEETING THE CCG HAVE ALLOWED TEMPORARY REGISTERED PATIENTS TO BE PART OF THE SURGERY RECALL.  END C.M. MMP PPG Lingen Parish Representative. 20.01.21 

CALLING ALL BUDDING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS

from North Herefordshire, South Shropshire and Powys to the

“NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP”

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER COMPETITION

Are you a budding young photographer? 

Do you want to have a reason to step outside and see beauty in everything you see – in the nooks and crannies of your garden, in the branches of the trees or hiding under the undergrowth?

Why not take part in the Knighton and District Rotary Club’s

Young Photographer competition?

“NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP” is the theme for this competition and entry is FREE. You can use your phone or camera but please try not to use too much “photoshopping” afterwards! 

The competition ends on March 31st 2021, gift vouchers will be awarded to the best three entries in each age group and certificates will be sent to all entrants.

Age groups are:

6 to 11 years 

12 to 15 years 

and 16 to 18 years

Only one entry will be accepted per person, so decide which of your photographs best shows your skill and imagination. Your photo needs to be less than 5MB in size and we will be looking for that something special which we know you can produce for us. 

You can send your photo to knightonrotaryphotographic@gmail.com, 

If you can include your name, where you are from and why you love the photograph you are entering that would be great. Also some contact details as to where we can contact you if you are a winner…..

All participants will be invited to an exhibition of the photographs and prize presentation. (Venue to be decided.)

We look forward very much to seeing your photos so step outside,

look around you and capture

“NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP”

COVID VACCINATION CLINICS

The six practices in N&W Herefordshire are operating a joint COVID vaccination clinic in the Leominster Bridge Street Sports Centre.  The service is being rolled out gradually with the older and more vulnerable patients first.  You will receive a letter telling you when you can book an appointment.  Please do not ring the surgery unless you have difficulty in booking.

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 If you have an urgent medical need, call NHS 111 or, for a medical emergency, dial 999. 

Information about getting a COVID-19 test can be found at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. 

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