IMPORTANT: Coronavirus

We have changed the way we operate the surgery to protect our patients, doctors and staff from possible COVID-19 infection. To help us to do this the front entrance door and disabled access doors are closed.

PLEASE: Follow NHS111 guidelines:

• If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days. Do not book a GP appointment or attend the Practice.

• If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do.

• Only call 111 direct if you cannot go online, or are advised to do so by the online service.

• For the latest COVID-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading, keep your children at home

You should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:

• shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.

• one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.

• any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.

• travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

Important – even when doing these activities, you should minimise the time spent outside of the home and ensure you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household. PLEASE ENSURE CHILDREN STAY AT HOME WITH YOU.

REMINDER for patients and people who may be collecting medication for others:

• It is still 5 working days for medication
• If a family member, friend or neighbour is collecting your medication, they will need to know your full name, address and number of items collecting.
• Please make sure you have any payment exemptions available for the dispensary staff to see.

What to do if you are otherwise unwell: Do not come to the practice. Please contact us by telephone, a member of the clinical team will phone you back and, wherever possible, will deal with you over the telephone. If the clinician decides that you require a face to face appointment, you will be asked the COVID-19 screening questions. If we identify that you have symptoms of the Coronavirus you will be asked to self-isolate for 7 days.  We will make arrangements for you if you need to be seen.

Nurses will continue to see patients who need injections, dressings, urgent blood tests, Warfarin testing, urgent ECGs, Child Immunisations, Doppler and measure stockings, removal of stitches and smear tests for ladies. They will speak to all patients on the telephone first to discuss arrangements for the appointment. 

Patients can also speak to the Nurses on the telephone if they have a long term condition and are concerned about their regular reviews or want further advice.

Access to the surgery:

Access to the building is restricted to patients who have been invited for an appointment by the Clinician.

Anyone who attempts to gain access to the surgery who has not been invited will be asked to leave the premises.

Only the patient with the appointment will be allowed into the building, unless they need to come with a Carer.

For children, only one Parent/Guardian will be allowed to accompany the child.

Carers/Parents and Guardians will also be screened with the COVID-19 screening questions before being allowed into the practice. 

All patients who have been asked to attend are to remain in the car and ring Reception. A nurse will come to the car and show you where to go. You may be seen in the surgery or in the marquee situated on the car park. Staff and Clinicians will be wearing protective clothing and a face mask, this is to help prevent the spread of viral infection.

Prescriptions:

To order a repeat prescription:

• Request online.  If not registered please either download the NHS App and sign up for this service or telephone the surgery to register for Patient Access. You can then order your repeat medication electronically.
• Put a written request for your prescription in the Mailbox on the outside of the front door.
• Telephone the surgery between the hours of 08:00 and 09:00.We will be using the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) to send the prescription electronically from the practice either to our Dispensary or to the Pharmacy of your choice for dispensing. This reduces the need for patients to come to the practice to collect their prescription. The Dispensers will discuss this with you.

If you are worried about how you will get your prescription please speak to a family member or neighbour to ask if they can collect it for you. Otherwise we are working closely with Malpas Community Links and other Volunteers who can collect your prescription for you. Please speak to a Dispenser or Receptionist who will give you the contact details if there are volunteers in your area.

Patients will collect their prescription from the Dispensary through one of the small external windows to the right of the Patient Entrance Door. Please ensure you are 2 metres apart from anyone else collecting at the same time. If possible, please pay by card – the current charge is £9.00 per item, increasing to £9.15 per item from 1^st April 2020.

Patients attending to see the Doctor will be able to collect their prescription in the usual way, as they will have been previously screened.

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Please be reassured our priority is the health and safety of all our patients, staff and Doctors.

If you have an appointment please remember to use the hand sanitiser provided when entering the building or wash your hands in the patient toilet.

Please remain courteous to our staff at all times, we are following the instructions of NHS England and Public Health to minimise the chance of spreading the Coronavirus.

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