Coronavirus Update

Important!

We are now in the delay phase of our response to COVID-19. This entails significant changes to how we identify and manage potential cases of COVID-19.

• 1. From today the public are being advised to stay at home (self-isolate) without any testing for COVID-19, regardless of travel history or contact with confirmed cases, if they have:
• a. A new continuous cough OR
• b. High temperature (of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher)
• 2. The geographic element of the case definition has now been removed. Travel and contact history are no longer important for diagnosis, which is on the basis of symptoms alone. If people who have travelled do not have symptoms they do not need to stay at home, regardless of their travel history.

Individuals should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of symptoms.

If more serious symptoms develop that they cannot manage at home they should firstly use NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk/).
People should only call NHS 111 if they cannot use the online 111 tool.

APPOINTMENTS:

Do not call the GP surgery unless you need to. The surgery phone lines are facing high demand. Please use the online 111 tools to try to self manage first.

DO NOT attend the surgery for any reason unless you have been advised to.

YOU NEED TO REGISTER for the NHS app ASAP! (https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app) to be able to book telephone consultations over the phone, request prescriptions and look at test results. The identification process can occur completely online and you do not need to come into the surgery to do this.

For patients that are unable to use these online tools, and all self care measures have been exhausted or your symptoms are worsening or you have a significant health concern, please call the surgery. All appointments have been switched to telephone/video consultations and only patients that really need to be seen face to face after being assessed on the phone by a clinician will be.

The practice will continue to have processes to ensure childhood immunisation and other essential care continues.

If you are seen at the surgery your clinician may need to wear gloves, gown and mask so do not be alarmed.

PRESCRIPTIONS:

We are moving towards electronic prescribing and will be issuing printed prescriptions under special circumstances.  In most cases,  prescriptions will be sent electronically to your pharmacy to limit/stop footfall to the surgery. If you have not been setup electronically with your pharmacist, you will be asked on the telephone for your nominated pharmacy so that your prescription can be sent electronically there.

NOTE: We cannot test for COVID 19.

Important links:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance