As we are now under another lockdown, it is important to be aware that the Practice remains open.

Prior to the pandemic our appointment system enabled us to offer routine appointments within a reasonable time limit, whilst ensuring that all urgent issues could be dealt with on the same day. This hasn’t changed and we have continued to offer routine appointments and emergency same day appointments during the pandemic.   

However, due to the pandemic we have had to minimise the surgery footfall so that we can ensure your safety and our staff’s safety, as we need to ensure we are able to provide a service to you and avoid the surgery closing.  

Face to face contact has been minimised but is being offered if your GP clinically decides this is necessary.  You will be offered a telephone triage appointment first and if a GP needs to see you, they will personally book you an appointment.

If you need an appointment we are taking all appropriate safety measures; washing hands, cleaning surfaces, wearing PPE, and because there is less traffic through the surgery, it is a much safer environment, so please do attend when called and please wear a face mask. 

We also request that you do not bring family members or partners with you, unless they are your carer.  This is to reduce the amount of people coming unnecessarily into the surgery and waiting room, again this is to support the safety of our patients and staff members.  

We will continue to process your medication requests so there is no need to request additional medication or ask for your medication early.

If you have any ongoing symptoms which you are worried about, it is important that you still contact us and one of team can ensure you are treated by the most appropriate doctor or nurse.

We will continue to work together, helping you, helping us, to keep our community safe.

We understand you may have questions about hte current Covid situation and access to our services and here are some FAQ:

Can I have a face to face appointment with my doctor and is it safe?

Prior to the pandemic our appointment system enabled us to  offer routine appointments within a reasonable time limit, whilst ensuring that all urgent issues could be dealt with on the same day. This hasn’t changed and we have remained offering routine appointments and emergency same day appointments during the pandemic.   However, due to the pandemic we have had to minimise the surgery footfall so that we can ensure your safety and our staff’s safety, as we need to ensure we are able to provide a service to you and avoid the surgery closing.  

Face to face contact has been minimised and is being offered if your GP clinically decides this is necessary.  You will be offered a telephone triage appointment first and if a GP needs to see you, they will personally book you an appointment.

If you need an appointment we are taking all appropriate safety measures; washing hands, cleaning surfaces, wearing PPE, and because there is less traffic through the surgery, it is a much safer environment, so please do attend when called and please wear a face mask.

Do I have to use eConsult?

The telephone triage system means that we need to find a way for a large number of patients to contact the surgery, and we need some basic information in order to prioritise urgent cases. Receiving this information can take some time over the telephone and we need to ensure that phone lines are free for patients to contact us.  The receptionists work hard to be efficient on the phone we have approximately, 320 calls per day.   On average it takes no more than 5-10 minutes to complete an eConsult, it can take longer to get through on the telephone if we are busy.

We have a dedicated doctor reviewing eConsultations each day.  The doctor will respond to you which may resolve your problem, or they may give you a telephone or face to face appointment.  

Can I come into the surgery for my flu jab?

 Yes, flu vaccination clinics have been set up and special measures have been put in place, in order to ensure your safety.  You can contact the surgery for an appointment or you will be sent a letter if you are entitled to this.

Can you tell me when I will be seen in hospital?

We know that hospital waiting times are taking longer due to the pandemic, but we have no access to projected waiting times. 

Can you give me an exemption letter for wearing a mask?

Unfortunately we are unable to provide this. Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.  This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.

Can you tell my employer I cannot go to work because I am high risk?

It is up to your employer to determine whether it is safe for you to go to work and make reasonable adjustments as they see fit.

I am self-isolating, can I have a fit note for my employer?

 If you need to self-isolate; because you have symptoms of coronavirus, live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus or have been advised to self-isolate by a test and trace service, then you can access an isolation note for your employer online https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

Published: Nov 5, 2020