Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are 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 latest information on Coronavirus infection can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- In line with current advice, if you develop a new, continuous cough OR a fever, you and your household must self-isolate for 14 days.
- There is no need to contact your GP for a certificate to cover this period, 111 can arrange this for you. Please contact them online rather than phoning.
- If you feel unable to manage your symptoms at home, or you are becoming more unwell, please contact 111
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. (https://111.nhs.uk/)
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call Visit 111 online if you need advice (https://111.nhs.uk/)
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.??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.
Following advice from NHS England, The Aberfeldy Practice
are encouraging patients to use online consultations and prescription ordering services where possible. Use of online services reduces non-essential visits to the practice which can help prevent and delay the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), protecting our patients and staff.
For the safety of our patients and staff, we will be asking you at every point of contact if you have any of the potential coronavirus symptoms.
Guidance from the government and the Royal college of General Practitioners (RCGP)
The Aberfeldy Practice is closely following guidance from the government and the Royal college of General Practioners (RCGP). As such the RCGP has set out the following guidelines of what we should and shouldn’t deal with as a GP practice under current circumstances.
Continue to deal with:
- Acutely (newly) unwell
- Medication issuing
- Urgent investigations and tests
- Wound dressings
- Childhood immunisations
Pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations for selected patients
- 6 week baby checks – done at 8 weeks
- High risk drug monitoring and warfarin
- Palliative care / End of life care
Smears with previous high risk changes, or on more frequent recalls
- Essential injections (testosterone, Prostap, antipsychotic medication)
Maybe able to deal with following on line consultation (Click Here) review and if demand is not too high:
- more routine blood tests eg. thyroid test for those on treatment
- B12 injection
- Dealing with complaints
- Medical certificates that are non covid related
- Cervical smears
- LTC reviews (asthma reviews can be done over phone and using SMS)
- Supporting letters (chargeable)
Contraception prescriptions for progesterone-only pills
Stop dealing with until Covid -19 pandemic reduced:
- Mild / self-limiting illnesses
- Contraception coil and implant checks / changes
Depo contraceptive injections
- Pill and HRT checks (unless clinically indicated)
- Ring pessaries
- Minor surgery
- Travel – vaccinations, insurance reports and medicals
- Ear syringing
- Spirometry
- Stop smoking clinics
- New patient checks and NHS health checks
- Routine medication reviews
Please help us help you, by staying indoors and if you need medical advice not related to the Coronavirus (Covid 19) then send us an online consultation by clicking here
Prescription requests during the coronavirus outbreak
Minimising non-urgent visits to the practice – Wherever possible we are asking patients to order their repeat medicines using the NHS App which can be downloaded here . Please also nominate a pharmacy to receive your prescription electronically instead of coming to reception to collect. If a pharmacy is not nominated, we will send your prescription to the pharmacy closest to your regular address. Please be aware that pharmacies are facing huge demand and there may be a limit on the number of people allowed into the pharmacy at one time; please try to adhere to social distancing guidance when collecting your script. For patients who are unable to order online, we have a request box in the entrance to the surgery.
Paracetamol supplies – We are aware that many patients are finding it difficult to purchase paracetamol from local shops and pharmacies and where available, sales are likely to be restricted. There are limited supplies of paracetamol remaining for patients who have a regular prescription for an existing condition. We hope you understand that it is not possible for us to prescribe paracetamol for all our patients ‘just in case’ as this will place undue demand on the system. Vulnerable patients who are self-isolating will need to be prioritised for small supplies.
Script Durations – We are complying with advice NOT to extend the length of prescriptions. Stockpiling will worsen existing medicines shortages and put pharmacies under more pressure at this difficult time. Usual prescription quantities will be issued electronically. If you are self-isolating we would recommend asking a low risk friend or family member to collect on your behalf. Many pharmacies are also able to offer a delivery service – if you are self-isolating, please let them know so that they make appropriate arrangements for delivery.
We know that this is a worrying time for many of our patients but sticking to the above guidance will help us to support our community and keep us safe.
Advice for your Condition
We know that many of you will be worried about the risk from coronavirus to yourself or to loved ones. If you have an existing condition you should follow the information relevant to your condition at the websites below. Everyone should also follow the government's advice on social distancing
Asthma
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
Diabetes
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
CF
https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-qa
Cardiovascular
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health
Respiratory conditions (COPD)
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/people-living-with-lung-condition
MS
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms
Rheumatoid arthritis
https://www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far
Blood cancers
https://bloodwise.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-and-blood-cancer
HIV
https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19
If you have a temperature (above 37.8 degrees) or a new cough please self-isolate at home. If you are more unwell please call 111 who are coordinating all treatment of suspected coronavirus.
Covid-19 guidance for practices - Requests for MED3 ‘fit notes’ (sick notes)
For more information and certificate please CLICK HERE.
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