Friday, March 13, 2020

Changes to our services to minimise the risk of Coronavirus

To minimise the risk of Coronoavirus we will be using telephone and e-Consultation (available via our web site www.coleridgemedicalcentre.co.uk) in the first instance, instead of asking patients to come into the practice. 

If you already have an appointment booked please attend as normal unless we contact you otherwise.

Please do not come in to the practice if you have either a new continual cough pr a raised temperature over 37.8 C.  You should self isolate and self care for 7 days.  If your condition deteriorates you should contact 111.

 Please use online services to order repeat prescriptions and to check blood results.  For more information and to sign up online at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/help/start/

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Cornoavirus - what you can do

  • The NHS message is:-
    • The NHS is well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases and has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. Check online at gov.uk and at nhs.uk for advice on your travel and contact history and the latest COVID-19 information before attending the practice.

    We will maintain services for as long as we can with the resources we have.  To do so we rely on our community to follow the published official advice regarding self isolation and using 111 as first point of contact.  

    Here's what you can do to help us:

    Please check on neighbours and friends.  Make sure they are up to date with the current advice. 

    Please read and comply with the signs before entering our premises.  Messages are also on our telephones, web site, and via text and email messaging for anyone signed up to those services. 

    Please use our services appropriately and only when necessary.  Make use of our online services including E-Consults, 111 online checker and  NHS Choices.  

    Please make use of community pharmacies and the follow the advice regarding self-limiting illnesses (D&V, coughs and colds etc), advice regarding self-care and over the counter medication to relieve symptoms.
      
    Please check for the latest information on the official websites.  Pass information on to those you know who haven't got online access.

    Please  follow national guidance about good hygiene and hand washing.    Please use the hand gel and hand washing facilities while you are here but please leave them insitu for others to use to help prevent spread of any infections. 

    For good hygiene reasons we have removed toys and magazines from the waiting room.  This is standard infection control procedure to prevent spread of infection.  Please bring your own reading materials and toys to entertain your children while you wait.

    Please note that we have suspended online bookings for routine face to face consultations.   This is so that we can,  if we need to, manage contacts with our workforce and services to patients effectively throughout the coming weeks.   Online telephone bookings are still available.  

    Thank you for your assistance.  
    Sue Stokes
    Practice Manager










    Wednesday, March 4, 2020

    Coronavirus Advice

    Coronavirus

    The NHS is well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases and has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

    If you are concerned that you may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances.  These can be accessed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19


    Also, you can check online at https://www.gov.uk/ and at  https://www.nhs.uk/ for advice on your travel and contact history and the latest COVID-19 information before attending the practice. 


    Not Fit to Travel Notes

    In response to a number of requests for doctors to issue letters regarding travel,   we are not able to issue letters for insurance purposes because you choose not to travel.

    If on the other hand you need to cancel your plans because you are ill, then our usual procedure is that the insurance company will ask us to complete a report, either directly, or via the claimant, and for which there is a charge. 

    In the first instance you should check the latest guidance regarding travel to certain areas and then talk to your travel insurers regarding your insurance cover.  

    The link to the latest guidance can be found on the front page of our web site. 

    Friday, February 21, 2020

    Coronavirus update 21.02.20

    The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. 

    The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, follow the specific advice for returning travellers. 


    Call 111 now if you've been: 

    • to Wuhan or Hubei Province in China in the last 14 days (even if you do not have symptoms) 

    • to other parts of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild) 

    • to Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Republic of Korea or Malaysia in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild) 

    • in close contact with someone with confirmed Coronavirus

    Do not go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. 

    Further information is available on nhs.uk.