Down at the Doctors November 2026

Posted on January 29th, 2024

A massive thank you to everyone who attended our recent flu and COVID vaccination clinics. Our flu clinic was particularly busy, with over 900 patients vaccinated in just three hours! This is an incredible achievement and a real testament to the teamwork and dedication of everyone involved.

Every flu clinic we award a crown to our top vaccinator. This year, Sophie took the honours, with Dr Tish a very close runner-up. Being an Arsenal fan, he was keen to call for a VAR review, but I’m afraid my decision was final!

However, the unsung heroes of the day, who deserve enormous credit, were Bob and Kay Kerr and Paul Barnes, who expertly managed the traffic and parking. It’s a minor miracle how they manage to fit everyone in, but somehow they always do! My sincere thanks go to all three of them for keeping everything running smoothly.

This month, I thought it would be useful to remind everyone about some of the additional NHS services that support GP practices and explain how you can access them.

The NHS has developed several services to make it easier and quicker for patients to receive the right care, while helping to reduce the pressure on general practice. Knowing which service to use can save you time and ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment.

Minor Injuries Unit – Herts and Essex Community Hospital

For certain minor injuries, you may be able to access treatment directly through the nurse-led Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Herts and Essex Community Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am–4.30pm. The unit is closed at weekends and on bank holidays. There is also a MIU in Cheshunt who are open 8am-8pm seven days a week including bank holidays.

What injuries can they treat?

The MIU can assess and treat a range of minor injuries, including:

• Minor cuts and grazes, including cuts requiring stitches
• Bites and stings
• Sprains and strains
• Suspected limb fractures requiring an X-ray
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor head injuries
• Whiplash following a low-speed car accident (less than 30mph)
• Removal of foreign bodies, such as splinters, fishhooks and objects lodged in the ear
• Anti-tetanus injections, where appropriate

The unit is staffed by trained nurses rather than doctors. If your injury is outside the service’s remit, you will be directed to the most appropriate alternative service.

X-rays can be arranged for suspected traumatic limb injuries only, not your torso, neck, spine etc.

The MIU is a useful alternative for suitable injuries, helping patients access timely treatment without necessarily needing to attend A&E or wait for a GP appointment.

Pharmacy First – your local pharmacy can do more than you think!

Many people still think of their local pharmacy as somewhere to collect prescriptions or buy over-the-counter medicines. However, pharmacists can now assess and treat patients for seven common conditions and, where clinically appropriate, supply prescription only medicines, including antibiotics, without the need to see a GP first.

The seven conditions covered by Pharmacy First are:

• Sinusitis – in eligible patients aged 12 and over
• Sore throat – in eligible patients aged 5 and over
• Earache – in children aged 1–17
• Infected insect bites – in eligible patients aged 1 and over
• Impetigo – in eligible patients aged 1 and over
• Shingles – in eligible patients aged 18 and over
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) – in women aged 16–64

The right care, in the right place

Services such as the Minor Injuries Unit and Pharmacy First are designed to make healthcare more accessible and to help ensure that patients receive care from the most appropriate professional.

They are not intended to make it harder to see your GP. Rather, they provide additional options for conditions that can often be managed safely and effectively elsewhere.

By making good use of the services available, we can work together to make the best use of NHS resources and ensure that everyone receives the care they need.

Best wishes

Andrew