VERY IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION – CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

From Monday 15th June 2020 in line with the latest advice from the Government, we are asking ALL patients attending the practice to wear a face covering, please be aware we cannot let you into the surgery if you arrive to your appointment without one.

For advice on how to make your own face covering, please go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering?fbclid=IwAR3tFfU-dJ1YA8Gof_W36JVgbEycPE4zbam9xXOkoWrQs-TLaGfQ-5ZbjW8

In accordance with Department of Health guidance our online appointment booking service has been temporarily disabled to reduce infection risk, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

The surgery remains open but the doors are currently locked  and in order to avoid spreading the virus we have changed to a phone-first system for the time being. If you need to speak to a doctor the receptionist will take brief details of your condition or query over the phone and arrange for a GP to call you back the same day and offer an appointment if needed. At busy times there may be a delay before a doctor can call you back, but we will continue to return calls throughout the day based on clinical priority. Please bear with us during this busy time as we do our best to provide essential services in the face of unprecedented demand, and pressures on staff time an resources.

Should you require a repeat prescription please use the NHS App, Patient Access, email us or drop it into the letterbox outside the surgery.

Please consider downloading and using the NHS app on your phone as a convenient portal for the 111 service and for all up-to-date health advice.

The NHS across Devon will be better prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases, if the public follows Public Health England advice. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff which may mean your patient experience is subject to change. The Chief Medical Officer announced on Friday 13 March that the country is moving into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus (Covid-19).

The new advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is to stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature above 37.8 C – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or a hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

• your condition gets worse

• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. Stay At Home advice can be found here. Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Information remains subject to regular change and updates. More information can be found on the NHS website here.

Advice in other parts of the UK

• Check your symptoms in Scotland
• Check your symptoms in Wales
• Northern Ireland: call 111

For region specific information and advice in:

• England visit nhs.uk
• Wales visit phw.nhs.wales
• Scotland visit nhsinform.scot
• Northern Ireland visit HSC
• Ireland visit HSE