Due to the ongoing situation with Coronavirus, we are taking measures in line with the guidance shared by NHS England and Public Health authorities to minimise risks associated with the virus.

In order to protect our patients and staff we are asking our patients to support us with this.

What does this mean for you?

 Appointments:

We want to minimise the number of patients attending the Practice for face to face appointments. This means that all patients are required to contact the practice by telephone to request an appointment, providing details of their need. A member of the clinical team will then phone you back and wherever possible try to deal with your problem over the telephone. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 you will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days. If there is no risk you will be offered a face to face appointment if appropriate.

Existing Appointments:

All pre-existing appointments wherever possible will take place over the telephone. If the appointment needs to be face to face you will be contacted prior to the appointment and asked some screening questions to ensure it is appropriate for you to attend the Practice.

Access to the Practice:

Access to the building will be restricted to the patients who have been invited for an appointment by a clinician. Only the patient with the appointment should attend the Practice. For children, only one parent/guardian should accompany the child.

We will also be closing the main entrance each day between 13:00 and 14:00 for cleaning purposes and to allow time for staff briefings and updates. The timing and/or duration of the closure may change or be extended depending on the circumstances.

Prescriptions:

We would like to avoid the need for Paper Requests so we would ask that you request your prescription online and/or via your nominated pharmacy. Again, to avoid the spread of the virus the preferred option will be that you collect your prescription from your nominated pharmacy.

Alternatively you can telephone the practice between the hours of 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday. All items must be clearly listed to the Receptionist. We will not accept a request of ‘all of my repeats’.

General:

Remember to use the hand sanitiser provided when entering the building or wash your hands thoroughly in the patient toilets.

Please remain courteous to our staff at all times; any incidents of verbal or physical abuse will result in the removal from the practice list.

This is a very challenging time for us all and we would appreciate your co-operation during this period of uncertainty.

Our priority is the health and safety of all our patients and staff.

Thank you.

Published: 19^th March 2020