The Coronavirus oubreak is placing strain on an already overstretched service.
You can help NHS staff by:
If you have a new continuous cough or fever greater then 37.8C, independent of travel or contact history, please self isolate.
If you feel unwell but are still able to watch TV, use your phone, read or get out of bed then you do not need to contact NHS 111 but should self isolate at home for seven days if you live on your own. If you live with others you, and all other household members, need to self isolate for 14 days.
Please find the latest guidance here: www.gov.uk/stay-at-home-guidance
If you feel more unwell and are unable to do this please contact NHS 111 or the surgery.
Non urgent queries for reception, doctors, nurses and clinical pharmacists can be submitted online
Sick note requests and Prescription requests should be submitted online – no account is needed.
Please be aware there is a 48-hour turn around for these services.
If you are aged 70 or over, are pregnant or have a long term health condition please avoid close contact with others where possible.
From Monday, 16th March, all appointment requests are being triaged with a call back from out duty team.
DO NOT ATTEND SURGERY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
If you are unwell with flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, breathing difficulties please call and cancel any routine appointments or ask for these to be converted to a telephone call. If you are unwell with these symptoms and feel unable to self care at home please call the practice and you will be placed on a telephone triage list where the duty team will call you back to manage your symptoms. They may advise you:
- how to self care at home
- treat you over the phone
- advise admission to hospital
- arrange a face to face review if necessary.
If the clinician suspects that you may have Covid-19 you will be sent to a specialist Covid-19 clinic at Saintbridge Surgery, Askwith road, GL4 4SH. Please park in the disabled pay or duty doctor slot.
You will be asked to remain in your car with your mobile (please ensure we have the correct number) and called when the clinician is ready to see you. This is to minimise risk of transmission to other patients waiting to be seen. If you have walked to the surgery or do not have a mobile number please present to reception who will place you in a special waiting area. Where possible you will be assessed in your car to prevent virus transmission.
The clinician who sees you will be wearing protective equipment and following strict sanitation procedures.
Due to potential staff shortages, due to potential illness and specialist clinics, please be prepared to attend any of our three sites if needed. Please work with us to facilitate your care.
Routine appointments will now, where possible, be converted to telephone consultations and no advance bookings can be made. You will be contacted by our receptionist if your appointment has been changed.
Please cancel any pre-booked appointments if you have cough, cold, sore throat, flu like symptoms or fever. This is to minimise exposure to other patients and staff so that we minimise sickness and disruption to work force. With no staff we cannot treat sick patients.
Please remember your queries may be able to be managed with a phone call from our clinical pharmacist or by self referring yourself to services.
No GP referral is needed for Physiotherapy and Mental Health counselling.
The minor ailment scheme also allows Pharmacists to review you and offer advice on managing minor ailments like athletes foot, thrush, rashes, cold symptoms: ccglive.glos.nhs.uk
We thank you for your help and support during this testing time.
Information on Covid-19 (Coronavirus):
www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
For information on self isolation:
www.gov.uk/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance