MESSAGE TO ALL OF OUR PATIENTS

MESSAGE TO ALL OF OUR PATIENTS

You will all be aware of the Coronavirus outbreak and we recognise how concerning it is for us all. Our sole aim is to try and ensure that we can provide the services you need at this time. In order that we can support those who need us most, we are introducing the following changes to the way we work.

NHS GUIDANCE IS AVAILABLE:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

PLEASE DO NOT COME INTO THE PRACTICE (INCLUDING THE DISPENSARY) IF YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS – if you are not sure, please check the latest guidance in the link above.

APPOINTMENTS TO SEE A GP

The majority of consultations will be via telephone. Routine telephone appointments can be booked on line using Patient Access or myGP. If you are unable to use these on line services, telephone the surgery as normal. PLEASE DO NOT WALK INTO THE PRACTICE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Following the telephone consultation, should the GP need to see you, they will arrange a time for this.

If you already have a pre booked routine appointment with us, we will be contacting you within the next few days and as many of these appointments as possible will be converted to telephone appointments.

If you require an urgent appointment, please telephone the practice and a GP will call you back later. PLEASE DO NOT WALK INTO THE PRACTICE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

APPOINTMENTS TO SEE THE PRACTICE NURSE/HCA

Our nursing team will continue to provide appointments, but wherever possible these will be by telephone. Where a telephone consultation is not appropriate, we will make suitable arrangements at the practice for you to attend. Baby immunisations will continue, but advise that you should minimise the time actually in the practice. If you have a routine appointment booked, we will contact you to advise if this will be carried out by telephone. PLEASE DO NOT WALK INTO THE PRACTICE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT, please telephone to do this.

BLOOD TEST APPOINTMENTS

Please telephone the practice if you require a blood test. You will be advised of the process once the need and urgency of the test has been reviewed. If you have already got an appointment booked, please attend as normal unless you hear from us.

REQUESTS FOR REPEAT MEDICATION

Please order repeat medication on line if you are able. Otherwise, please drop your request into the box at the carpark entrance. Please DO NOT come into the building. We have someone who can help you to get set up to order on line, please telephone reception to do this.

COLLECTION OF MEDICATION OR PRESCRIPTION FROM THE DISPENSARY

When you come into the practice to collect your medication/prescription, please ensure you leave plenty of space between you and anyone else in the queue, if possible wait outside until there is no queue. If you are at risk and have not got anybody at all to collect your prescription, please phone the dispensary (option1) so that we can discuss any special arrangements to help you. We encourage you to pay for your prescriptions by contactless debit card to reduce touching the card machine, or cash.

It would be appreciated if you could give us a little longer to get your medication ready – we are likely to have staff shortages despite trying to minimise risk to both you as a patient, but also to staff.

We are currently prescribing 28 days supply as normal to prevent stockpiling and stock shortages.

Please work with us to keep everyone as safe as possible, help each other out in the community and support each other during this uncertain time.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NATIONAL ADVICE WHICH IS BEING UPDATED FREQUENTLY. DON’T FORGET, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP