Coronavirus

Please note we will aim to update this page daily but the current
situation is very fluid and is changing frequently.

In light of the Coronavirus and as the UK moves in to the Delay phase, across our group of surgeries we are currently implementing the following measures to help delay the spread of the virus.

As a group of surgeries we understand the impact these measures may have, but have to balance the different demands placed on our service. We have taken all reasonable steps to mitigate the impact of these changes, but some disruption is unavoidable. We apologise for any inconvience this may cause, but trust you understand and fully support these measures are to designed to help protect all members of our community.

All measures have been taken with the following principles in mind;

Limit the number of patient touch points.
Protect the most vulnerable in our community.
Reduce and/or remove routine work which can wait until the outbreak is contained.
Minimise the impact to patients, but whilst keeping them safe.

Please do not attend any surgery unless you have an appointment booked.
You will not be able to gain access to the surgery.

Prescription Requests - Updated 13/03/20

With immediate effect we have relaxed prescritpion ordering measures. All patients are now able to order repeat prescriptions via telephone. Please note the telephone system may be very busy and ordering online via Patient Access remains the preferred choice.
With immediate effect prescription requests CANNOT be handed in to any reception desk.
With immediate effect all prescriptions will be sent electronically (EPS) to pharmacies. Paper prescriptions will not be issued.

Appointment Requests - Updated 16/03/20

If you need an urgent GP/NP appointment:

From Monday 16/03/20 all surgeries will be moving to a triage first model. This system will be introduced gradually throughout the week and will be fully operational at all sites by 23/03/20. This means any request for an appointment will be triaged by a Clinician before it can be booked.
If you need to book an appointment you must telephone your surgery before 12 Noon. Please do not telephone in the afternoon for an appointment.
From Monday 16/03/20 Eaves Lane Surgery and Medicare Unit Surgery patients will be asked to attend different surgeries. This will be confirmed at point of booking.

If you need a routine appointment:

Routine appointments will be delayed, if you need a routine appointment which can wait please contact us in 1-2 weeks.
Midwife clinics will continue to operate from each site, as normal.
From Monday 16/03/20 Routine screening clinics, such as blood clinics and podiatry will be suspended until further notice.

If you already have an appointment booked:

If you already have an appointment booked this may need to be changed to a telephone appointment, re-arranged or you may be directed to a different site. If this impacts you, the surgery will contact you.

Misc:

All blood forms and requests for tests will be posted to patients. These will not be available to collect in the surgery, unless printed during a face to face consultation.
Effective immeidately all appointments will be removed from patient access.

Telephone Lines - Updated 12/03/20

We do expect our telephone lines to become busier, we have drafted in extra staff and redeployed staff where available. If your matter is not urgent or can wait we would politely ask you contact us in the future once the outbreak has been contained.
Please continue to use Patient Access to order medication and check lab results, this will help reduce our telephone queue.
Please do bear with us whilst we try and cope with this unprecendented outbreak.

Sick Notes - Updated 16/03/20

If you require a sick note for Coronavirus, please contact NHS111.
Regular requests for sick notes can still be taken via the telephone, but there may be a delay in issuing these. These can be back dated but can never be future dated.
All sick notes will be e-mailed or posted to patients. These will not be available to collect in the surgery.

Private Medical Work - Updated 13/03/20

From Monday 16/03/20 we will be suspending all non-urgent private medical work. Any requester will recieve a standard response asking them to re-request in 6 weeks. For Subject To Access requests we will be asking for 60 days, we will write to all applicants and notify them of this.
All medical reports, which are awaiting collected will be posted to patients. These will not be available to collect in the surgery.

Complaint About These Changes - Updated 13/03/20

Any complaint about these changes should follow the standard complaints process. We will be issuing a standard response explaining that these measures have been taken during an unprecedented outbreak and have been put in place for the protection of the whole community.

Testing For Coronavirus - Updated 12/03/20

The NHS is not routinely testing for Coronavirus unless you are admitted to hospital with a certain set of symptoms or you meet both epidemiological and clinical case criteria which includes travel to specific countries or contact with a confirmed case.

NHS111 organise all testing for Coronavirus. The GP surgery is unable to organise testing or conduct the testing ourselves. If you believe you need to be tested, please contact NHS111 via their online portal or by telephone. Please note there may be an extended wait due to the outbreak.

If You Suspect Coronavirus - Updated 13/03/20

The latest guidance from central Government is;

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. If your symptoms are mild you do not need to contact us. We are currently experiencing an unprecedented level of demand, please bear with us.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started.
This action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.
Plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home.
Ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home.
Stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible.
Sleep alone, if that is possible.
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water.
Stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible.
You do not need to call NHS111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

Preventing The Spread Of Infection - Updated 13/03/20

There are general principles you can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

Wash your hands often - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you feel unwell, stay at home, do not attend work or school.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and work environment.
If you are worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

Latest NHS Guidance - Live Website

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