The NHS has faced extraordinary pressures from COVID-19, seasonal flu and demand for emergency and GP services this winter. If that wasn’t enough, the Omicron COVID-19 variant and the ramping up of the booster vaccine programme brought even more demands. In Merton, GP practices are tackling winter pressures head on by working in partnership through […]
Category: Merton
Simple yet transformative – how social prescribing improves lives while taking the pressure off GPs
Paul* was struggling with anxiety and depression. In his fifties, he has dyslexia and is on the autistic spectrum. He also has post traumatic stress disorder, following events in his life. “I wanted to get some direction,” he said, “to find the services that would benefit me. Because of my dyslexia, I needed help in […]
Should my allergies stop me from having the COVID vaccine?
Are concerns about your allergies holding you back from getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Come for a chat about the COVID vaccine today. Living with allergies can be challenging. Our vaccination teams in South West London say many people come forward with questions seeking trusted advice. Chief Pharmacist Sedina Agama (pictured) is urging anyone with concerns […]
Not had your first dose COVID-19 vaccine? It’s never too late to come forward
If you haven’t had your first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine yet, the message from the NHS is that our clinic doors are always open, and we’d be very pleased to see you. Edward Grier, aged 70, had his first dose of the vaccine at the Nelson Health Centre on 12 January 2022. […]
What every pregnant woman should know about COVID-19 and vaccines
As new data reveals that more than 96% of the pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 were unvaccinated, mums-to-be are urged to come forward for the jab, without delay. Blue cheese, unwashed vegetables, cured meats … there are lots of things you’re advised to avoid when pregnant. So, it’s no surprise that some expectant […]
Help us create our new website
The NHS in South West London is designing a new website. We want to make sure it’s easy to use, and that people can find what they’re looking for. Help us create our new website by completing this short survey. The survey will take about 5 minutes. At the end you’ll have the option to […]
Wimbledon’s Centre Court vaccination centre to open daily till midnight
As Wimbledon Centre Court vaccination centre gets ready to offer jabs up until midnight, it’s matron, vaccinators and volunteers have urged people to book their boosters. Centre matron Christiana Pena said: “We are encouraging everyone to come in and have their booster to be fully protected against the new omicron virus. We’re open every day […]
Mobile MRI scanner at the Wilson cuts diagnostic wait times by weeks
A mobile MRI scanner in the carpark of the Wilson Hospital, Mitcham is reducing patient waiting times from six to four weeks. The scanner was installed by St George’s University Hospitals NHS Trust as part of a programme to increase access to life-saving diagnostic tests, as the NHS recovers from the impact of the pandemic. […]
Sunday service – doctors go to church to get Merton men talking about their health
If you thought getting a group of men to open up about their waterworks – in a church hall – after Sunday service – might be challenging, you’d be wrong. A men’s health project confronting the issue of urology has shown that people have plenty to say on the subject. Says Dr Vasa Gnanapragasam, Merton Clinical […]
10 things you didn’t know you could ask a pharmacist
Your local pharmacist is a source of expert advice, with five years training, but you might not realise just how many things they can help you with. Merton Chief Pharmacist Sedina Agama said:” No appointment is needed, and many local pharmacies have private consultation rooms so you can ask for advice in confidence. Getting the […]