You can access Ruby Country Medical Group (Holsworthy & Hatherleigh) October newsletter HERE

Who is most at risk?

• Older people (65+)

• People with long-term conditions (heart, lung, mental health, etc.)

• Pregnant women

• Young children (especially under 5)

• People with learning disabilities

• Those at risk of falls, living alone, or with low mobility

• People in deprived circumstances or poor housing

Why cold weather increases risk

• Cold, damp housing → higher chance of mould, respiratory illness, asthma

• Increased winter infections (flu, COVID-19, norovirus)

• Physical hazards (snow, ice → slips and falls)

• Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe heating

Keeping your home warm

• Heat living areas/bedroom to at least 18°C

• Reduce draughts with excluders

• Keep bedroom windows closed at night

• Wear multiple thin layers instead of one thick layer

Financial support

• Grants, benefits, and cost-of-living payments may be available

• Help with energy bills and efficiency upgrades

• Government and local schemes provide advice on energy saving

Looking after yourself

• Get vaccinated (flu, COVID-19 booster if eligible)

• Manage minor illnesses (colds, sore throats) early

• Stay active indoors – move or stretch every hour

• Ventilate rooms briefly to reduce germs if you have visitors

• Wear shoes with grip when outside

• Plan ahead for food, medication, and essentials before bad weather

• Contact NHS 111, your GP, or pharmacist for non-emergencies; dial 999 in emergencies

• Winter Wellness: Why the darker months affect your mood and what you can do to protect your mental health this winter: | Action Mental Health

Supporting others

• Check in on older or vulnerable neighbours/family

• Offer help with food or medication in bad weather

• Watch for signs of hypothermia: shivering, slow breathing, confusion, tiredness, pale/cold skin → call NHS 111 or 999 in emergencies

• Winter wellbeing :: Keeping Well

Preparing your home long term

• Service heating appliances regularly

• Fit loft/wall insulation, double glazing, pipe insulation

• Fix damp and mould problems

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm

• Register with Priority Services Register (free support from utilities for vulnerable people)

Where to get more help

UK Health Security Agency - We're here to help you stay well this winter

• Met Office: winter readiness

• GOV.UK: help for households

• Age UK: call 0800 169 6565, quote "WINTER"

• NHS England: staying well in winter 

• 5 ways to stay healthy in winter - BHF
•  

A free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children across England on the NHS from January 2026.

• Government to launch chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026, which will protect around half a million children each year
• Eligible children will receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
• The rollout will help raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work

Thousands of children will be protected against chickenpox for the first time in England through a new vaccination programme that will keep kids in school and parents in work while also saving the NHS vital funds.

From January next year, GP practices will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) - the clinical term for chickenpox - as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

It will mean kids miss fewer days in nursery and school while parents will not need to take time off work to care for them. Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.

The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.

Chickenpox vaccine - NHS

Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children - GOV.UK

💉 Flu & COVID Vaccination Clinics – Book Now!

Protect yourself this autumn! 🍂

At Holsworthy Surgery:

📅 Saturday 4th October 2025
📅 Saturday 18th October 2025
📞 Call: 01409 255224  (10am - 12 noon, 2pm - 4pm)

At Hatherleigh Surgery:

📅 Saturday 14th October 2025
📅 Saturday 28th October 2025
📞 Call: 01409 255224  (2pm - 5pm)

✅ COVID Vaccine – Autumn 2025 Eligibility

• Adults aged 75+

• Care home residents (older adults)

• Immunosuppressed individuals aged 6 months+

📲 Eligible patients will get a text in September with details on how to book.
Texts will go out in batches, so don't worry if yours doesn’t arrive straight away.
📞 No mobile? You’ll be contacted by phone or letter.

🛑 Note: This is a change from 2024. Those aged 65–74 and people in clinical risk groups are not eligible for COVID vaccination this autumn unless immunosuppressed.

💉 Flu Vaccinations – From October 2025

(Exact start date TBC by NHS England)

Eligible for flu vaccine:

• People aged 65+

• People aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups

• Residents in long-stay care homes

Stay healthy this autumn — get protected! 💪

Dear Patients,

💻 Supporting Patient Care with Heidi AI: What You Need to Know

At Ruby Country Medical Group, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, and efficient care to all our patients. As part of our ongoing efforts to embrace safe and effective innovation in the NHS, we are now using Heidi AI to assist our GPs during some consultations.

🧠 What is Heidi AI?

Heidi AI is an AI-powered digital assistant designed to help clinicians document medical consultations more accurately and efficiently. It listens securely in real time during your consultation and produces a structured clinical summary that the GP can review, edit, and approve before it is added to your medical record.

It is important to note that Heidi is a support tool — your GP remains fully in control of your consultation and your clinical decisions.

🔍 How Does Heidi Work?

During your appointment, the GP will activate Heidi on their device (computer or tablet). Heidi listens to the conversation and generates a written summary of key clinical points such as:

• Your presenting problem (reason for visit)
• Relevant medical history and symptoms
• Clinical findings and observations
• Diagnoses, treatments, and next steps

This summary is not saved automatically. The GP has the final say and reviews, edits, and confirms the information before it is stored in your official patient record.

🔐 Is Heidi AI Safe and Secure?

Yes — safety, confidentiality, and data protection are top priorities.

• ✅ Heidi does not record or store your voice.
• ✅ All information processed is done so in accordance with NHS data governance standards and UK GDPR.
• ✅ The technology is approved for use in clinical settings and complies with NHS Digital’s data protection requirements.

Your medical record remains under the control of your GP at all times. Heidi simply provides a first draft, saving time on manual documentation.

👩‍⚕️ Why Are We Using Heidi?

Clinical documentation is a vital part of safe healthcare — but it takes time. On average, a GP spends 30–40% of their day typing up notes, often outside of appointment hours.

Heidi AI helps to:

• Free up GP time during and after consultations
• Improve the quality, consistency, and clarity of medical records
• Support more patient-focused conversations
• Reduce admin burden and GP burnout
• Allow GPs to concentrate on what matters most — you

❓Will It Change My Appointment?

In most cases, you may not even notice a difference. Your GP will continue to lead the consultation, just as before. Heidi runs discreetly in the background. You may see your GP reviewing or confirming notes at the end of your appointment, which helps ensure everything discussed is captured accurately.

We will always inform you if Heidi is being used in your appointment and you can ask questions or opt out if you have any concerns.

🗣️ What If I Don’t Want Heidi Used?

We understand that patients have different levels of comfort with technology. If you would prefer not to have Heidi involved in your consultation, you are welcome to let your GP or reception team know. It will not affect your care in any way.

📞 Have Questions?

We’re happy to help. Please speak to a member of our team or ask your GP if you’d like more information about how Heidi AI is used at Ruby Country Medical Group.