MMR and MEASELS OUTBREAK IN NORTH WEST LONDON

As of the 08 June 2023, the NW London Health Protection Team (UKHSA) have confirmed at
least 80 cases of measles in North West London.
These cases are predominately in children who live in Hillingdon, Harrow, Hounslow and
Brent. They are either not vaccinated with MMR or their vaccination status is unknown.
Please check your child’s red book to confirm they have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine
which are usually given at 12 months and 3yrs, 4 months (preschool booster). If they have
not received both doses OR you are unsure, please call the surgery to book an appointment
with our Practice Nurse.

Frequently asked questions: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR):

What is the MMR vaccine?
The vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps and rubella is part of the routine childhood
immunisations that are given to your child to protect them from a range of diseases.

When should my child have the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is usually given when your child is a year old, with a booster given when
they are three years and four months old.

I don’t know if my child has had their jabs – how can I check?
You can check your child’s personal child health record; you might know it as the “red
book”. Most people are given it when their baby is born. If you don’t know where yours is
don’t worry, make contact with your GP team and ask to know which vaccinations your child
has received in the practice.

My child has missed their jabs – is it too late?
It’s never too late to catch up on these important vaccinations – you can still ask your GP
surgery for the MMR vaccine if your child has missed either of these two doses.

Why do we vaccinate?
After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention. Vaccines
protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. They
undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced and they’re also constantly
monitored for side effects after being introduced. All medicines and vaccines in use in the
UK have been approved by the UK’s independent regulator.
Thanks to vaccines, some diseases that used to kill or disable millions of people are seen
very rarely. However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to
quickly spread again.

Do I have to vaccinate my child? How serious are measles, mumps and rubella?
As many people in this country have been vaccinated with the MMR it can be easy to forget
what it was like to have these illnesses or to see children with them. They are all highly
infectious and can spread easily between unvaccinated people.

What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some
people may also get small spots in their mouth. Measles can lead to serious problems if it
spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. If you catch measles when
you are pregnant, it can harm your baby.

What are the symptoms of mumps?
Mumps is most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the
ears. It usually passes without causing serious damage to a person’s health. Serious
complications are rare, but mumps can lead to viral meningitis if the virus moves into the
outer layer of the brain.
Other complications include swelling of the testicles or ovaries (if the affected person
has gone through puberty).

What are the symptoms of Rubella?

Rubella (German measles) is a rare illness that causes a spotty rash. It usually gets better in about a week, but it can be serious if you get it when you’re pregnant. The good news is that your children and any pregnant people can be protected from these illnesses and their complications safely and easily by having the MMR vaccination.

Will the vaccine hurt my child?

The health care professionals giving the vaccinations are expert at doing this. They know how to make your child as comfortable as possible and will help you in the consultation.

If you have any questions at all about it please talk to a trusted healthcare professional like a health visitor, school nurse, GP nurse or GP.

For more information on the MMR vaccine please visit nhs.uk/MMR

FREE Mental Health Support for over 16yrs old

Hillingdon Cove Café, which is now based in 64 Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7DQ is a drop-in service where residents of Hillingdon can go if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.

We can help you to create a safety plan using your strengths, skills, resilience and coping mechanisms to continue your journey towards recovery. Our aim is to support people to reduce their immediate anxiety, formulate individual plans to support their mental health and reduce the likelihood of requiring further assistance from other crisis services.

Our support includes:

  • A safe, welcoming space and a listening ear
  • 1-to-1 support to help you to find the best path forward
  • Support to develop your own plan for the next day as well as longer term plans which could involve contact with statutory services
  • Support to find and access other services in your area that interest you
  • Hot drink and a snack

Important information: if you disclose any form of crime to a member of staff at the Cove, we have a duty of care to report it to the police as a third party.

How can I access the service?

Residents from Hillingdon aged 16+ can just turn up any time between 2pm – 10pm, with no appointment needed.

You can also be referred for an appointment by a CNWL clinical crisis response team.

We are open from 2-10pm Monday- Sunday, 365 days a year. The service is open to residents of the London Borough of Hillingdon aged 16+.

No appointment is needed and they are open every day from 2pm until 10pm.

Please see the attached leaflet for more information.

EXTENDED HOURS GP SERVICE ACROSS HILLINGDON

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming phased-launch of Hillingdon’s Extended Hours service. It will be available to all of our registered patients and will provide appointments with either a nurse or a GP – from 18:30-20:00 Monday – Friday, and 08:00-20:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Patients will not be able to book directly into the Extended Hours appointments, and they will not appear on any patient-facing online booking system. To book an appointment with this service please phone the practice during our reception opening times and one of our reception teams will be able to arrange an appointment for you.

The service is based at 3 local sites:

  • Eastcote Health Centre – Abbotsbury Gardens, Pinner HA5 1TG
  • Uxbridge Health Centre – Chippendale Waye, Uxbridge UB8 1QJ
  • HESA – 52 Station Road, London UB3 4DD

GP Patient Survey

Training Practice

We are now a training practice and will from time to time have students training alongside our GP’s from Imperial College – 1st, 3rd & 5th year. We will also be training Junior Doctors from August 2012.

We fully understand that there may be times when you would prefer not to meet students. Please let us know straight away. It will not affect your treatment in any way.