Few points to remember if you need your GP surgery this week

Posted by: ethan - Posted on:

  1. If you have a routine appointment cancelled or rearranged to a telephone call please understand we are adhering to guidance and trying to protect ourselves and YOU.
  2. We will still have face-to-face appointments for more urgent things where necessary but these will be triaged beforehand and it’s important to be honest when we ask these questions. We do NOT want you to come in if you have COVID19 symptoms to reduce the risk of infection.
  3. Unfortunately, we cannot give prescriptions early, the pharmacies are extremely busy and have limited stock supplies themselves. We also cannot give you paracetamol on prescription just because you can’t get any from the shops…
  4. We can’t give out ‘Rescue Packs’ to all our COPD/Asthma patients. There is a post going around social media which is untrue. If you are eligible for a rescue pack you will already have been offered one as part of your treatment regime. If you have used up your pack and need a replacement then contact your surgery for this. We can’t give you an inhaler for a ‘just in case’ reason if you haven’t got a confirmed diagnosis unless we highly suspect it. These are for people who need them.
  5. If you do see us and we are wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and masks, please don’t be alarmed. They are for your safety as well as ours.
  6. We are unable to advise whether you should or shouldn’t self isolate if you are at risk. Please follow the most recent guidance. It was announced today that 1.5million people have been deemed at risk and you will receive a letter stating so. This may help your employers understand why you won’t be in work.
  7. Please don’t shout at your GP staff when they are unable do these things because we are doing our best to provide the best possible care in the worst of situations.
    Be Kind! Be Respectful!
  8. Please adhere to the current social distancing advice. Keep 2m apart – this may mean reception staff may ask you to sit apart from others or ask you to walk to the other side of the waiting room to separate our patients. I appreciate this will be difficult if I’m taking your bloods, blood pressure or giving you an immunisation, hence the need for PPE.

We are doing our best to prevent my patients from needing critical care.

  • Wash your hands,
  • don’t touch your face,
  • social distance 2m from non-household people and
  • follow the advice that’s been given and let’s hope we can get rid of this virus as quickly as we can.

Stay safe ❤️