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News

Caterham Dene Ward

Visitors welcomed back to the ward at Caterham Dene Hospital

We are pleased to be able to welcome visitors back to our ward at Caterham Dene Hospital.

In order to continue to keep our patients, staff and visitors safe we have a process in place for managing this and all visits must be booked in advance by telephoning the ward on 01883 837517.

The ward staff will ask screening questions before any visitor is permitted to enter the ward.

MIU banner

Caterham Dene Minor Injury Unit remains open over Easter holidays

Our Caterham Dene Minor Injury Unit will remain open every day over the Easter holidays for those aged 18 plus from 8am to 8pm.

NHS 111 will remain available 7 days per week 24 hours per day for non-urgent medical help.  In the event of an emergency please call 999.

A very special thank you to our staff and all those working over the Easter holidays to keep essential services available.

Distributing Get up and Go booklets

First Community distributes falls prevention guides across east Surrey to help protect those at risk of injury

More than 30,000 falls prevention guides have been distributed to healthcare practices across east Surrey to support the older population who have either had a fall or are at risk of falling.

The national lockdowns resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic have seen many people cooped up at home for long periods, which may have led to muscle weakness and sometimes a reduced sense of balance, increasing the risk of falls.

An image of Surrey Care Record logo with the Surrey Heartlands logo top left and NHS logo top right

Improved record sharing with Surrey Care Record

First Community Health and Care has joined other NHS organisations across Surrey in using technology which will see patients benefit from improved record sharing.

The Surrey Care Record is a digital, locally shared record enabling the secure sharing of patients’ health and care data between authorised health and care professionals across the Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, of which First Community is a part.

Jon Ford donating laptops

First Community donate 120 laptops to project set up to support disadvantaged children

First Community Health and Care have donated 120 laptops to a local appeal which provides refurbished laptops and internet access to disadvantaged children.

The Level Up project run by Raven Housing Trust, with support from Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead was set up to address the urgent need for IT equipment for some local children to enable them to study at home during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

NHS Staff Survey results

First Community has another fantastic year of NHS Staff Survey results

First Community is proud to release the results of their 2020 NHS staff survey. The feedback in the annual survey is extremely positive with the majority of staff indicating First Community really is an outstanding health care provider and employer.

Over 330 staff took part in the survey with a response rate of 75%, compared with 62% for similar organisations. 

Staff feedback includes:

Covid vaccine

Community nursing teams vaccinate 1000 housebound patients against Coronavirus

First Community are proud to announce that 1000 housebound patients across east Surrey have now received their first coronavirus vaccination.

As part of the biggest inoculation programme the country has ever launched, First Community nursing teams have worked closely with GP and primary care colleagues to ensure the most vulnerable patients are protected across east Surrey. 

Image of therapist wearing PPE at the front door of a patient's house facing a patient wearing a mask

First Community prepares for huge demand for Long Covid rehab treatment

As Covid-19 cases across Surrey continue to fall, First Community Health and Care is preparing for an increased demand for its Long Covid rehab service.

Since its launch at the end of December, more than 80 patients have been referred to the Long Covid rehab clinic pathway, with many suffering persistent symptoms including continued coughs, shortness of breath, fatigue and a limited tolerance to exercise, months after having Covid-19.

Community nurses support GPs in roll out of Covid-19 vaccine to vulnerable housebound residents

First Community’s district nursing teams have been supporting the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations to housebound residents in east Surrey.

So far more than 200 elderly, housebound people have received their vaccination since community nurses began assisting local GPs in carrying out the vaccinations at the end of January.