COVID FAQs
Please find below answers to our most commonly asked questions:
DO YOU OFFER COVID TESTING?
We can help if you need a test prior to travel abroad, as well as for those of you who need tests on returning home i.e. day 2 testing for countries on the Governments Green list and day 2 and day 8 testing for countries on the Amber list.
For those of you returning from an Amber list country and wish to reduce your period of quarantine, then we also offer testing on day 5 after return, which if negative will allow you to reduce your quarantine period (although a day 8 test will still be necessary)
We are offering the Day 2 and Day 8 travel test package from Monday 17th May costing £270.
In order to book this please call us on our main number. We will book appointments for testing and provide you with the reference number needed for the passenger locator form. Please note, we can only provide you with your reference number once payment has been processed – as per the government guidelines.
Please be aware, day 2 tests are to be taken on or before day 2 and day 8 tests are to be taken on or after day 8.
You can also self-swab your day 2 and day 8 tests at home and return back to us once you have taken your swab. Collection will be from outside the practice only.
FIT TO FLY
Entry requirements vary between countries and are subject to regular updating. It is your responsibility to check the specific requirements for the country you are visiting. Gov.uk is regularly updated and provides links to other countries requirements.
TURNAROUND ON RESULTS
Please leave sufficient time for your swab result to be processed i.e at least 24 hours prior to departure
HOW DO I GET A COVID VACCINATION?
The UK vaccination policy continues to progress at great pace, with all over 50s and those at special risk likely to have been offered vaccination by the end of March.
In order to be certain of being offered a covid vaccine at the correct time, it is important to register with a local National Health Service General practitioner, as all invitations are being coordinated via the lists held by the NHS. Please note, it is not possible to choose which vaccine you have at the present time. For more information on booking a vaccine please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
There appear to be no plans to involve the private sector at the present time-despite our best efforts!
It is NOT necessary to have an NHS number to register with a GP, but nonetheless you can look up your NHS number by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/
Registration with an NHS GP does not in any way invalidate your registration with Courtfield Private Practice.
CAN I CHOOSE WHICH VACCINATION TO HAVE?
No this is not possible – both vaccines provide excellent protection with a similar side effect profile i.e. soreness at the injection site (usually the muscle of your upper arm like with the flu vaccination), headache, fatigue and mild fever. These happen in around 20% of people and usually resolve in 2 days.
Side effects are slightly more common after the 2nd dose and also in people who have had the illness (vaccine should be delayed for 28 days after contracting COVID).
SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE CURRENT SCARE ABOUT BLOOD CLOTS WITH THE ASTRA ZENECA VACCINE?
Almost certainly not.
The UK has given more Astra Zeneca vaccines than almost any other country in the World and has not seen any association between clots and the vaccine.
In the UK approximately 3,000 blood clots occur from a variety of causes each month with no increase in this number since the vaccination programme started in December.
Another way of thinking about this is that tomorrow in the UK we know that 100 people will develop blood clots. It is very likely that a proportion of those will have received the covid vaccine in the previous few weeks and will naturally speculate as to whether it was the vaccine that was responsible for causing the clots.
Even if there was an association in a tiny number of individuals, the overall benefit of the vaccine far outweighs the risk of forming clots.
*PLEASE ALSO SEE THE FAQ’s ABOUT THE VACCINE ISSUED IN DECEMBER AND AVAILABLE IN THE COVID-19 SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE.
WHAT IF THE NHS GP PRACTICE REQUESTS MY MEDICAL RECORDS?
Subject to your consent, we can forward your medical records to your NHS GP. Please email us at enquiries@courtfieldpp.co.uk.
ID NEEDED FOR COVID TESTING
To ensure we can carry out your covid test appointment, it it imperative that you bring your passport with you to your appointment. Failure to do so will mean we are unable to carry out your test.