News
New Vaccine - Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults
From 1 September 2024, those who turn 75 and those age 75 to 79 will be eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- cough
- sore throat
- sneezing
- a runny or blocked nose
It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.
RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.
There is no need to contact the practice to book. WE will contact YOU when the vaccine is available and when we have clinics on to deliver this.
How RSV is spread
RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak every winter.
RSV can spread through coughs and sneezes. You can help to prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (ideally with a tissue, or else into the bend of your elbow), and you can wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of picking up the virus. Even with these measures it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection.
The best way to protect yourself is to have the vaccine.
How the RSV vaccine works
Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection. Unlike the flu vaccine you do not need to have the RSV vaccine every year.
Eligibility for the RSV vaccination
Everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine. This is because older adults are more at risk of serious complications from RSV. You can still get the vaccine up to the day before you turn 80.
For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1 September 2024 as part of a catch up programme.
If you are not yet 75 the NHS will invite you for vaccination once you turn 75.
Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
Shingles and pneumococcal vaccines
You may be offered your shingles or pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the RSV vaccine, it is safe to do so and reduces the number of appointments you will need to get protected from these diseases.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines
RSV isn’t normally arranged to be given at the same appointment as your COVID-19 or flu vaccines.
In certain clinical circumstances, your doctor or nurse can safely offer them at the same time.
Those who should not have the RSV vaccine
Almost everybody can have the vaccine, but tell the doctor or nurse if you have ever had a serious allergy to a vaccine, or any of the ingredients.
You can read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine called Abrysvo.
If you have a minor illness such as a cold you can receive the vaccine, but if you are very unwell or have a fever, the doctor or nurse may advise you to wait until you are better.
The protection offered by the RSV vaccine
The vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of you suffering from RSV disease. As with all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective and some people may still get RSV despite having a vaccination. If you do get RSV, it should be less severe.
How long the RSV vaccine will protect you for
In the clinical studies, RSV vaccine provided good protection for at least 2 years and is expected to last longer.
Side effects from the RSV vaccine
You may get some soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection for a day or two after the vaccination.
In the first season of use in the US over 3 million doses were given. A nervous system condition that leads to weakness was reported, around 5 cases for every million doses given. The same condition also occurs after a number of common infections and some vaccines but overall it is safer for you to have the vaccine than to risk having a potentially serious RSV infection.
Further information
If you have further questions, speak to your practice nurse.
Read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine Abrysvo.
Home
.png "Armed forces")
The doctors and staff at The Canford Heath Group Practice in Poole are proud to offer the highest standard of innovative, but patient-centred healthcare from our modern spacious building. Our friendly multi-disciplinary team members are always happy to help you.
We hope you will find everything you need to know about the practice through this website as well as a host of other health related information. Please do have a look around.
Please be aware that calls to and from the practice are always recorded.
.jpg "Pharmacy First")
Follow Us On Facebook!
Find us here!
Reasonable Adjustments - Can we make your healthcare easier for you?
We understand that if you have a disability or something that makes it hard for you, it might be difficult to get the right help in the NHS or social care. But if we make some changes to help you, it can make things better for you. These changes are called Reasonable Adjustments.
If you need Reasonable Adjustments, we really want to make sure that do everything we can to make those changes for you. To do that, we
need to know what changes you might need, as these will be different for every person.
We would like to know if you need any Reasonable Adjustments and, if you do, what they are. We would also like to if it is okay to put these on your records here at the practice. This way, everyone in our team can know what you might need.
We also want to ask if it’s okay to share our adjustments with other teams in the NHS or social care. This will help them know what changes
(Reasonable Adjustments) you might need when you see them.
Reasonable adjustments can include:
- Larger text size.
- Taking more time to put you at ease.
- Giving you written appointments not text messages.
- Helping you fill in NHS forms.
- Space for a guide dog.
- This is not all of them, Reasonable Adjustments can be as unique as you are.
Let us know your needs by completing and returning the form below. Or speaking with our reception team. Or emailing chgp.prg@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
Healthwatch Dorset
We are working with Healthwatch Dorset which is the county’s independent health and care champion.
They're there to listen to your experiences of using local health and care services and to hear about the issues that really matter to you. You can tell them about your social care or NHS healthcare experience, good or bad, at this link: https://healthwatchdorset.co.uk/talk-to-us/
Healthwatch Dorset is entirely independent and impartial, and anything you share with them is confidential. They can also help you find reliable and trustworthy information and advice to help you to get the care and support you need, email them enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102
You can sign up to receive their monthly eNewsletters here: https://mailchi.mp/86841107a80e/dorset
Healthier Together
Mental Health Resources for Adults or Young People
We have compiled an excellent Mental Health resource for those who need additional support. Please click on the buttons to the right to view details of local support available to you.
Additionally A new campaign to help staff and patients with mental health has been launched by NHS England. The ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign includes a website full of expert advice and practical tips. It includes a free online tool for users to create an action plan to deal with stress and anxiety. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Domestic Abuse Help
Armed Forces Veteran Friendly
We are proud to have become an Armed Forced Veteran Friendly practice. If you served in the Armed Forces, if even for one day, there is a whole host of additional NHS services available to you, so please do let us know so that we may send you the information.
Please click on the link to the right for more information about services you can access.
.png "Military Vet")
Your Mobile Number
The practice will routinely ask you for your mobile phone number (which we shall never divulge to an outside agency without your express permission.) Please do make sure your mobile number is updated. We use this to communicate with you in person and by text message. Examples of why we need your mobile number include:
- Texting you confirmation of appointments
- Testing you if appointments have to be cancelled.
- Sending you messages because blood tests are due.
- Texting you important information about your care at the practice.
- Asking you to complete surveys regarding your care, the Friends and Family test or the services with run as a practice or as a Network.
If you wish to opt our of receiving text messages please ask the receptionist to leave a message with the Practice Manager.
Online services
There are many ways to contact the surgery to book or cancel appointments and order prescriptions. One of these ways is by registering for our online service especially as we now no longer accept requests for prescriptions by telephone.
You can however order prescriptions at Chgp.prescriptions@nhs.net
If you would like to sign up for online services, please email chgp.prg@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
Opening Times
Opening Times - Mitchell Road
| Morning | Afternoon | |
| Monday | 08:00 - 13:00 | 13:00 - 18:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 13:00 | 13:00 - 18:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 13:00 | 13:00 - 18:30 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 13:00 | 13:00 - 18:30 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 13:00 | 13:00 - 18:30 |
| Weekend | closed | closed |
Extended Hours Surgeries
Appointments to see the Doctor during the “Extended Hours Surgeries” on Monday's 6.30pm-8.00pm and early Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings from 7.30am-8.00am.
They are intended for patients who have booked in advance because they are unable to attend during normal opening times through other commitments.
Contact Details
Online Services
