Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery

04/04/2025

30/10/2024

We have experienced technical difficulties with our phone lines today after switching providers. This issue has been resolved by our on-site and remote engineers. We apologise sincerely for this issue this morning, and thank you for your understanding and patience.

30/10/2024

UPDATE: Our telephone lines are now slowly coming back online. We apologise for inconvenience caused. Our teams are working as quickly as possible to get through to every call.

30/10/2024

We are currently unable to take incoming telephone calls to the practice due to telephone line issues with our providers. This is being worked on at the highest levels currently and we hope to be back online very soon. We apologise for the inconvenience which is unexpected and out of our control. For emergencies, please telephone 111 or 999 in emergencies. Our online triage is still functioning as usual.

01/10/2024

You can now register online with Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery by visiting our website page https://gp-registration.nhs.uk/F81068

You no longer will need to come into the Surgery to register and can fill the online form directly. Once you have completed all sections, your details will be sent to the practice for us to register you. You will receive a text confirming you have been registered when the process has been complete.

For those who are not able to do online registration, a printed form will be available at Reception.

23/07/2024

Flu Vaccinations 2024 - Clinics now open.

Despite the warmer weather, we must look towards being ready for the winter months! Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery is pleased to announce the release of appointments for the seasonal flu vaccination for the coming winter season.

Flu vaccination remains a critically important public health intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality in those most at risk including older people, pregnant women, and those in clinical risk groups. The eligibility for flu vaccination is based on the advice and recommendations of the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This is reviewed each year.

Based on clinical evidence that the flu vaccine’s effectiveness can decrease over time in adults, the programme start for most adults will be in October. It is advised to vaccinate individuals closer to the time when the flu virus is likely to circulate (typically peaking in December or January) as this will give optimal protection during the highest risk period. Protection from the vaccine lasts longer in children and therefore we are requested to complete these earlier in the winter season to free up vaccinating for adults in October.

Texts with electronic booking links will be sent out in batches to eligible patients. If you prefer to book your appointment via telephone or in person, we would appreciate you doing so in the afternoons so that we can ensure our staff are able to deal with unwell patients needing to get through to us for assistance.

Please do not submit a triage request to book a flu vaccine.

Who is eligible for a flu vaccine at the Surgery?
The eligibility for a flu vaccine remains unchanged from last year (2023/24).

From 1st September 2024:
Pregnant women
Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2024.
Children in clinical risk groups aged between 6 months to less than 18 years

From 3rd October 2024:
Persons aged 65 years and over.
Persons aged 18 – 64 in clinical risk groups (chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease & vascular disease, chronic kidney disease stage 3 or above, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease, diabetes & adrenal insufficiency, immunosuppression, asplenia, or adults with a Body Mass Index of more than 40).
Long-stay residential care home residents.
Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.
Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.

I am pregnant. When can I have my flu vaccine?
You can have this from 1st September 2024. Please contact the Surgery and we will be able to assist you to book this.

I have a child who is aged 2 or 3 on 31st August 2024. When can they have the flu vaccine?
They can receive the nasal flu vaccine from 1st September 2024 with us.

We will be holding special clinics with our amazing Practice Nurse team once again for our young patients. Following the success of our Halloween themed clinics last year, complete with our very own nurses dressed as little pumpkins, we will be repeating the fancy dress once again! This year’s theme will be Disney! We will be inviting eligible children in the coming days and look forward to seeing our younger patients visit us. Parents / guardians will be sent electronic links to book online to choose the date that best suits. Children (and accompanying responsible adults if they wish!) are welcome to come along in costume too!

My child is aged between 6 months and less than 18 years. When can they have their flu vaccine?
They can receive the flu vaccine from 1st September 2024 with us. We will be inviting those eligible with electronic booking links.

I am one of the following: aged 65 and over, aged 18-64 in a clinical risk group, a carer, close contact of an immunocompromised person. When can I have my flu vaccine?
You can have your vaccine from Thursday 3rd October. We will be sending out invitations by text with an electronic booking link, in batches to our eligible patients. You can book via the link in the text if you wish. If it is easier, please either telephone or come into the Surgery in the afternoons and we can book this for you. We have plenty of flu clinics with our fantastic clinical team who are ready and fully trained to provide this to you. Please protect yourselves and others by getting vaccinated!

I am a care home resident. When can I have my flu vaccine?
We are arranging for special visits to the following care homes, Blackthorns, Colne View, Cedars, and Halstead Hall. The Surgery will be making contact to these homes to arrange this.

I am housebound. When can I have my flu vaccine?
We are arranging for special visits for our housebound patients. Please be aware that this is limited, and we are only able to vaccinate those who are registered on our system as housebound. If you can leave your house with the assistance of others and attend the Surgery for other types of appointments, then we will ask you to book for an appointment in the Surgery.

22/05/2024

The Mid Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) have secured further space to run 2 Covid vaccination clinics in Halstead on the following dates:

Tuesday 28th May 2024
Tuesday 4th June 2024

Venue: The Coach House, Trinity Street, Halstead CO9 1JD.

Time of clinics: 10.00am to 2.00pm.

Who can attend?
The Spring boosters are available to those aged 75 years & above and those aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppresed.
Residents in a care home for older adults also qualify however EPUT are arranging special visits to Blackthorns, Colne View, Halstead Hall, and Cedars for vaccinations. EPUT will be in contact directly with the care homes regarding this.

How do I book?
Please call their covid helpline on 0344 257 3961 to book.
The team have confirmed they will be bringing plenty of vaccines to these clinics & can accept walk in's.

What do I need to bring?
Just yourself and your NHS number (if known).

How else can I book my booster if I don't come to these clinics?
You will be able to book an appointment through the NHS App or on the NHS website. If you are unable to book online, you can telephone 119 who can assist you.

21/05/2024

National Patient Participation Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the value of patient participation and engagement in healthcare. It provides an opportunity for patients, healthcare professionals, and organisations to come together, share experiences, and promote dialogue that enhances the delivery of patient-centred care. This week-long celebration focuses on empowering patients to be active participants in their own healthcare journey.

JOIN OUR NEXT PATIENT PARTICIPATION MEETING ON MONDAY 10TH JUNE 2024 AT 7.00PM AT THE SURGERY!

We are looking for new faces to join our warm & friendly Patient Participation Group! We would particularly welcome representatives from ethnic backgrounds, younger adults, and anyone with disabilities from the age of 18 upwards.

Our longstanding PPG Chair & Secretary have stepped down from their position and we are seeking to replace and grow our Group.

What is the aim of a Patient Participation Group?
This surgery runs a Patient Participation Group (also known as a PPG) in order to promote communication between the practice and our patients and encourage open, constructive discussions about the service we provide. A PPG is a mechanism which can represent patients to the practice and the practice to the wider community.

Why should we join the PPG?
Joining the PPG can involve you with your own GP services and give you a say in the workings of the local NHS. It helps in the planning, provision, and delivery of local health care services and practice issues representing a patient's view. It forms a link between the patients and Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, with a view of making a useful contribution to the improvement of existing services and help the Surgery to develop new services to meet and identify patients' needs.

What does it involve?
Primarily, we do ask that members attend an in-person PPG meeting held at three Surgery. These are held in the evenings and take place every three months. The PPG is not intended to be a forum for complaints and single issues but to work with you, the patients, our advocates, to ensure that patients' views are represented in conjunction with the aims and objectives of Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery.

Will it affect my relationship with my GP?
No. It PPG may be based at the surgery but it works independently on behalf of all patients. Your work with the PPG will not be mentioned in your own medical records, neither should it influence your care. PPG records - for example, minutes and list of members - are completely separate from your personal medical records.
It is worth noting that patient members of established PPG's gain a better understanding of the NHS and primary care and feel more knowledgeable and confident about using the NHS (e.g. being able to access the right type of care, in the right place at the right time, and generally feeling more empowered when managing their own health).

Who can be a member?
Generally, anyone who is a patient within the Practice. However, the Practice does have a right to refuse an individual if it considers it is in the best interest of the individual or the Practice. It is important to the development of the Practice that the PPG is as representative as possible of the whole patient population and we welcome anyone from the age of 18 to join us!

How do I join or attend a meeting?
Please visit https://Elizabeth Courtauld.gpsurgery.net/patient-group/ to complete a form with your details. Alternatively, speak with our Reception team who can take your details.

Our next PPG meeting is on Monday 10th June 2024 at 7.00pm. If you wish to attend, please email f81068.reception@nhs.net or speak to our Reception staff who can take your details if you are not able to contact us by email.

19/04/2024

The Mid Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) have secured space to run 2 walk-in Covid vaccination clinics in Halstead on the following dates:

Tuesday 23rd April 2024
Monday 29th April 2024

Venue: The Coach House, Trinity Street, Halstead CO9 1JD.

Time of clinics: 10.00am to 2.00pm.

Who can attend?
The Spring boosters are available to those aged 75 years & above and those aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppresed.
Residents in a care home for older adults also qualify however EPUT are arranging special visits to Blackthorns, Colne View, Halstead Hall, and Cedars for vaccinations. EPUT will be in contact directly with the care homes regarding this.

What do I need to bring to the walk in clinic?
Just yourself and your NHS number (if known).

How else can I book my booster if I don't come to the walk in clinics?
You will be able to book an appointment through the NHS App or on the NHS website. If you are unable to book online, you can telephone 119 who can assist you.

04/04/2024

Menopause Café

Colne Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) have been offered a venue in Earls Colne to hold the Menopause Café once a month.

This will be at the Earls Colne Recreational Club every 2nd Thursday between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

The Menopause Café is to help support people affected by the menopause and to encourage peer support and self-help in a supportive setting.

08/03/2024

Braintree District Dementia Action Alliance have a planned event upcoming. This is a free event but must be booked ahead of time. Please see further details in the poster below.

08/03/2024

Dancing with Dementia Classes.

The Community Development team at Braintree Council would like to advertise their Dancing with Dementia classes.

These wonderful sessions are free to attend but must be booked in advance by contacting Dance Network Association as detailed in the pictures below.