Firstly, our main priority is to continue to deliver medical services to our patients and meet their health care needs. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we need to make changes to how we do this in order to protect our vulnerable patients, the wider community and our staff. Under guidance of NHS England, please note the following:
Attending the surgery: please avoid attending the surgery unless necessary – please call us or use the ‘Ask the practice a question’ service on our website instead. Please keep in mind we are very busy at the moment, your patience is appreciated.
Appointments – we have made some changes to our appointment system. All GP, and some nurse, appointments will now be booked as a telephone consultation. The GP, or nurse, may then arrange a further appointment for you to be seen here at the surgery if necessary. Many nurse appointments require physical examinations or procedures therefore will continue as normal for now. Any patient that develops ‘covid’ symptoms ahead of their appointment should follow the guidance to self-isolate for 7 days and call us to cancel their appointment, or change to telephone if possible. We have turned our online booking system off.
Prescriptions – we will continue to issue repeat medication on a monthly basis. To avoid disruption to the supply chain and possible shortages of medications, we have been given strict instruction not to increase supply at present. If you are currently self-isolating or concerned about attending the surgery please ask a friend, neighbour of family member to collect your prescription or medication for you.
Paperwork – if you are too unwell to return to work following 7 days of isolation, your employer may ask for a ‘sick note’ – please call 111 who will send you an email confirmation and provide any further medical advice, PLEASE do not call the surgery.
UPDATE 17.3.20 we will now take requests for letters from your GP to travel / insurance companies relating to coronavirus. This is a private service and will incur a fee. This will be kept under review and the service withdrawn if it compromises our capacity to provide medical services to our patients.
The situation and government guidelines are evolving rapidly, we will update with any further changes as necessary. In the meantime, we urge our patients to follow the government advice and visit www.gov.uk for more information.
Thank you.