COVID-19: Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in permanent and temporary changes to surgeries in England:
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in permanent and temporary changes to surgeries in England:
- Access: the surgery is OPEN 08:00-18:30 Mon-Fri. Please understand critical infection control procedures and need to maintain our service for the community. Please use the telephone first to access services. We can help to triage you better that way and co-ordinate you to the right service and avoid community spread of Covid-19.
- Collections and Drop-offs: for all forms/specimens please attend the practice between 08:00-10:00 to manage patient flow. Reception will meet you at the front door and supply/receive these at social distance.
- Infection control: the surgery has modified areas of waiting, points for hand sanitisation and will minimise patient contact/patient time in the practice where possible. You will be asked to wear a face covering or face mask if asked to attend the practice.
- GP Appointments: under NHSE guidance all GP appointments will be by triage-first and telephone-first. GPs are experts in their field and in most cases, diagnosis, medication, tests and referrals can be organised remotely without the need for the patient to attend face-to-face. GPs will organise patients to attend the practice where their professional decision deems this clinically appropriate.
- Nurse Appointments: essential services are prioritised e.g. childhood immunisations. Please contact Reception for more information.
- Prescriptions: please order directly through a local pharmacy or telephone reception. Please avoid coming to the surgery to request medication/collect prescriptions – we will send them directly to your local nominated chemist.
- Contact details: it is important that we know your current address and telephone number. Please inform reception where you are calling from when enquiring about services.
- New Registrations: please telephone reception regarding new registrations. You will be required to collect registration forms between 08:00-10:00 and return these back to us to minimise attendance at the practice.
- Self-referral: NHS services and providers are changing rapidly. Please familiarise yourself with the website, and key information on changes to local NHS services and self-referral pathways that can hasten your care and do not need the GP practice, e.g. minor ailments, minor eye conditions, psychology, sexual health, pregnancy, drugs and alcohol, wellbeing hub. You will find this under services and key contacts.
- Hospital disruptions and queries: please direct any of your hospital queries regarding appointments, tests and follow-up plans to the specific hospital you are under and to the secretary of the Consultant or department organising your care. General Practice is not a substitute for hospital providers.