12th December 2022
STREP A AND SCARLET FEVER
For parent/carer guidance please see the links below.
Fact Sheet
Strep A and scarlet fever :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
Scarlet fever - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you have any concerns regarding Scarlet fever please call the surgery for an appointment with our triage team.
GROUP A STREPTOCOCCUS UPDATESHORTCUT We are being inundated with many calls from concerned parents regarding group A strep. The following resources may be useful, not just for parents, but for other patients too: Facts about the current Group A Strep situation- Strep A is a common infection seen every year
- Some of us even carry it up our noses, in our throats or on our skin without harm or illness
- It can cause scarlet fever and tonsillitis
- Most cases are mild and easily treated with antibiotics
- The most serious form (called invasive Group A Strep or iGAS), which is luckily extremely rare, is what has caused the deaths as reported in the media
- As with all winters, other bugs are circulating, causing sore throats, coughs, colds and sneezing
- Many of these are caused by viruses, so cannot be treated with antibiotics
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Scarlet feverScarlet fever is caused by streptococcal infection and is treated with antibiotics. Typical symptoms include: temperature, sore throat, swollen neck glands, headache, nausea, vomiting, tired, malaise, flushing. After 12-48 hours, a sandpapery rash starts on the trunk, then spreading, there may be a tongue that looks like a strawberry (red with white spots or white with red spots). NHS: Scarlet Fever If you think your child has scarlet fever, please get in touch and please be prepared to submit photos. |
Sore throat and tonsillitisMost cases of sore throat and tonsillitis are actually caused by viruses and will settle on their own, without the need for antibiotics. Just because you have a sore throat, does not automatically mean that you must have strep A tonsillitis. Typical symptoms include: temperature, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen neck glands, bad breath, pus (slime) or white spots on the tonsils, headache, earache, tired, malaise. NHS: Sore throat Minor illness leaflet on sore throat NHS: Tonsillitis If your child has pus on the tonsils, cannot eat or drink or has persistent symptoms that are not resolving, please get in touch and please be prepared to submit photos. |
Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS)This is fortunately extremely rare [in fact, flu causes more deaths in children every year than the current strep A situation but never makes the news]. Invasive Group A Strep is where the bacteria breaches into the circulation. Those affected could be completely well with little in the way of symptoms and then severely ill within only a matter of a few hours. Worryingly, this sudden deterioration can occur even after a recent assessment by a doctor or if already started on antibiotics. Therefore the key here is vigilance to a change in condition and seeking advice if your child deteriorates. If you think your child is seriously ill, do not delay, take your child to the local A&E department or ring 999. |
The difficulty with children can be in telling if they are seriously ill. Therefore the next section of resources might be useful.
How can I tell if my child is poorly?
Please see our poorly child leaflet which gives color-coded symptoms to look out for and what to do:
How can I tell if my child is poorly?
Parents are advised to familiarise themselves with the contents of the chart but particularly with the symptoms in the red (A&E) and blue (999) columns of the chart that could indicate more serious illness.
Also please see these resources:
How can I tell if I am poorly?
Please visit our specific page which details symptoms to look out for that could indicate serious ill-health:
How to tell if I am poorly page
Medical emergencies
Serious ill-health
Information videos from doctors
Dr Sophie, GP: Strep A and Scarlet Fever
Dr Rowland, Paediatric Emergency Consultant: Parent and Carer advice on Group A Strep and Scarlet Fever
Dr O'Donovan: Scarlet Fever (Group A Strep) - causes, symptoms and treatment
Not everything can be treated with antibiotics
As indicated, most of the circulating bugs in winter and spring are actually viruses, for which antibiotics will not work. Therefore please do not be offended if, after assessing your case, the doctor does not feel antibiotics are indicated.
There are drawbacks to overuse/indiscriminate use of antibiotics - some of the harm caused is not easily quantifiable, but can include:
- Increased resistance of bacteria, meaning antibiotics may not work for more serious infections, like meningitis or pneumonia
- Supply problems meaning much needed antibiotics might not be available to other patients with other conditions
- Increased risk of side effects like rash, which may result in a patient being inappropriately labelled as being allergic to penicillin, thereby removing an extremely useful tool in the fight against infection for that patient for the rest of their life
- Increased demand on health services due to calls for antibiotics means that patients with other conditions, some of which may be serious, may not be able to get through to access the care that they need
Preventing spread of infection
Even though we have just had a global pandemic, many people are forgetting the cardinal rules of preventing spread of infection:
- If you're ill don't go to school or work
- Use a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes
- Regular hand washing
- Regularly clean surfaces with disinfectant
- Clean and cover wounds
Other official information
GOV: Strep A and scarlet fever
GOV: 5 ways to protect your under 5s this winter
18th November 2022
For more information please follow the links below
JUCD_PCN_Presentation_Handout
11/22JUCareersD newsletter 11/22
Final Nov 2022 JUCD 11/22
28th July 2022
11th July 2022
Following the recent increase in Covid cases we have decided to re-introduce the wearing of face coverings in the surgery. From 11/07/2022 it will be mandatory to wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) when visiting the surgery or attending an appointment.
This decision has been made following guidance from NHS England, encouraging the use of face coverings. A text message has been sent out to inform patients of the change and the phone message has been updated.
7th June 2022
Trent PTS June 2022 New Bulletin
Please see attached June's News bulletin for Trent PTS. This month our spotlight is on Men’s Mental Health and encouraging you to open up more conversations with men about their mental health.
10th May 2022
15th February 2022
Cervical screening can stop cancer before it starts. Don't ignore your invite and remind your loved ones to book theirs. For more information visit nhs.uk/cervicalscreening
10th November 2021
Self-care week 15th-21st November
NHS Data Sharing Update
20th July 2021
The current NHS Digital (NHSD) extract of GP data for Research purposes (known as the GPDPR) has been delayed due to NHSD wishing to review the way in which this data will be collected, to conduct more public involvement and information about the plans and change the way in which patients can opt out of the extract of their GP data.
Currently the only way to opt out is to complete a Type 1 opt out form and return this to the practice by the 1st September. However, this extract will not be taken until the NHSD have changed the way it will take the data and respect the patient’s choice for using their data. NHSD are introducing the following changes to the opt out process which will mean that patients will be able to change their opt-out status at any time::-
This means that you can opt out at any time in the future and NHSD will delete data that they already have taken for research purposes, the deadline of the 01/09/2020 has been delayed until a new system of opt out is developed. Hopefully, this will be a simple centralised approach via the NHS app or NHS website to avoid paper form and administration work for your GP.
We will update you when we know more about the NHSD plans to change how you can control who has access to your data.
Covid-19 Vaccination Update
13th October 2021
Applications for covid vaccine exemptions CANNOT be issued at the practice.
Please call 119 to obtain them
17th June 2021
We are pleased to announce that, we have now invited all patients aged 18 years and over for a COVID-19 vaccination. People can book to receive their vaccination at our local site at Church Farm in Ripley. Alternatively you can access a vaccine at other sites by calling 119 (including some pharmacy sites and Derby Arena).
If you (or a family member/friend) have not been contacted by us, then please let us know as we may need updated contact details.
We have now given nearly 60000 Covid-19 vaccines locally and are keen to get as many remaining people vaccinated as soon as we can. Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic and they are the best way to protect people from coronavirus and have saved thousands of lives. We know that vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms. Vaccinated people are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from it. There is growing evidence that vaccinated people are less likely to pass the virus to others. It is so important that as many people as possible are vaccinated against COVID-19 and we would urge all of our patients to get vaccinated and to encourage their family and friends to have the vaccine also.
People under 40 are being offered the Pfizer vaccine following national guidance. Those that have already had a first vaccine will be invited for a second dose (of the same vaccine) at the appropriate time. If anyone believes that they may have been overlooked then please contact us at the practice.
If you want the latest vaccination updates, you can follow events and the latest news via the links below:
Twitter: @joinedupcare
Facebook: Joined Up Care Derbyshire
Instagram: @joinedupcarederbyshire
For more detailed information; visit our Joined Up Care Derbyshire website.
So far, millions of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported.To find out more about the vaccines approved in the UK, see: |
CORONAVIRUS LATEST INFORMATION
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
KELVINGROVE MEDICAL CENTRE LATEST
If you think you might have coronavirus or have any symptoms such as fever, new cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste, please go to the NHS online or telephone 111 for advice.
If require an appointment, you will be offered a telephone or a video consultation. All face to face appointment requests will be triaged and booked by a GP.
If you require an isolation note, please visit https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note. Please do not contact he Surgery
If you need to attend the surgery, please wear a face covering. This does NOT need to be a surgical mask.
