COVID-19

The government has set out steps to relax shielding guidance from 6 July, the advice to people who are shielding is changing

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•you may, if you wish, meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing
•you no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of your household
•in line with the wider guidance for single adult households (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18) in the general population, you may from this date, if you wish, also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance

Stay up to date with the latest information gov.uk//guidanceonshielding 

Government support is available for people for as long as they are advised to shield – you can get help with food, medicines and care by registering online additionally priority supermarket delivery slots will continue for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. Register your needs online by 17 July to get priority delivery slots gov.uk/extremelyvulnerable

Practice News

In line with new Government recommendations, it is a requirement for patients to wear a face covering when entering the surgery. If you do have an appointment we would be grateful if you could come with your face covering on – covering your nose, mouth and chin. This can be in the form of a mask, scarf or handkerchief of any sort of fabric. This is to help lower the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19.

Unfortunately we are unable to supply face masks to anyone entering the premises due to lack of supply but they must be worn to enter the building.

A text message has been sent to all with a mobile number on their record.

If you have not received a text message but think you should have or would like to receive texts in the future please contact the surgery with your mobile number and we can update your record to allow for this. The text messaging service is a great way to get free, up to date information from the practice.

If you have not received a text message but think you should have or would like to receive texts in the future please contact the surgery with your mobile number and we can update your record to allow for this. The text messaging service is a great way to get free, up to date information from the practice. 

Appointments

All GP and Practice Nurse appointments will initially be by telephone - Please ensure we have your up to date telephone contact details.Please only attend the surgery if you have been given an appointment to attend - Please attend alone unless you require a parent/carer to be present, please wear a face covering at all times and observe the 2m social distancing rule.

Prescriptions

Unfortunately we are unable to supply face masks to anyone entering the premises due to lack of supply but they must be worn to enter the buildiIf you have a paper prescription request, please leave the requests in the external post box (black post box on the wall to the left hand side of the main entrance.) Alternatively you may call the surgery on 01434 320077 and select option 2 leaving your name, date of birth and items you require or order your prescription online.

Cervical Smear Appointments

Ladies who have received their Cervical Smear letter but have been unable to book an appointment please contact the surgery, we now have appointments here at the surgery but also extended hours appointments are available to book into at the HPCA Corbridge Hub, Corbridge Medical Practice - Telephone 01434 320077 or via your online access account to arrange your Cervical Smear.

E-Consult

We have introduced a new way for patients to contact the practice using an online facility called E-Consult, this service will enable any patient to make direct contact with the practice through a series of questions and prompts simply by clicking the blue banner on the home screen of the website patient information, question or query will be sent direct to the practice via a secure email facility and the practice will respond by the end of the next working day.

Additional Support

Haltwhistle C19 Community Response

In this unpredictable time where so much is changing there are many alone but please be aware we have a have a fantastic community in Haltwhistle who are willing to offer any help and assistance needed.

There are teams working with the Haltwhistle Town Council, Haltwhistle Partnership and other support groups right across the area to make sure nobody is without supplies and support.

If you need help - it's available. You can call (01434) 320 506 or 07903 278 774, Or Ellen Walton, Haltwhistle Partnership 0759 2729 631, Or visit : Haltwhistle C19 Community Response

#StaySafe #StayAlert

We appreciate your patience during this difficult time.

If you have a new and continuous cough, or fever or loss of/change in smell or taste you are advised to self isolate and stay at home for a period of  7 days or longer if you still have symptoms. Household members  should  self isolate and stay at home for 14 days from the 1st day your symptoms started.

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.
• Stop all non-essential contact with others and stop all unnecessary travel
• Start working from home where you possibly can

More information can be found on the NHS website here

COVID-19  Shielding Patients  

The Department of Health are identifying specific groups of  patients who are considered to be at high risk of complications should they catch the Coronavirus (COVID-19), if you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, you can register yourself, or register on behalf of someone else at : www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable .

If you need more information on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 please visit : www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting 

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

You may have received a letter from the NHS telling you that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), you can register yourself, or register on behalf of someone else register here if support is required. If you need more information on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19  please visit www.gov.uk/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/ 

Dr Mark Dornan, Chair of Newcastle Gateshead CCG has recorded a helpful video as a North East GP, outlining how to get healthcare during the coronavirus outbreak 

NHS.UK INFORMATION SUPPORT LINKS

General NHS advice 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For expert information and advice on how COVID-19 impacts specific palliative or  long-term conditions and how to manage your condition during the pandemic.

Cancer

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/

HIV and AIDS

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/

Alzheimer’s disease

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/

Sickle cell disease

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/

Chronic kidney disease

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/

Cystic fibrosis

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystic-fibrosis/

Motor neurone disease

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motor-neurone-disease/

Depression

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/

End of life care

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care/

End of life care – Changes in the last hours and days

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care/changes-in-the-last-hours-and-days/

Other Patient information links

Pituitary/ adrenal insufficiency (including steroid sick day rules)

https://www.endocrinology.org/news/item/14050/Coronavirus-advice-statement-for-patients-with-adrenal%2fpituitary-insufficiency

Underlying lung disease (British Lung Foundation)

https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus

People with Asthma

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

People with Diabetes

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

People affected by Stroke

https://www.stroke.org.uk/news/coronavirus-information-people-affected-stroke

Pregnant women

https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

Children/young people T1 diabetes

https://jdrf.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-people-living-with-type-1-diabetes/

People with Heart/circulatory disease

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health

Older people

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/# 

Young people with anxiety

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/

Adults with anxiety

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

https://www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far

People with cancer

https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/statements/advice-coronavirus-people-cancer

People with inflammatory bowel disease

https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/updated-wuhan-novel-coronavirus-advice

People with Parkinson’s disease

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/understanding-coronavirus-and-parkinsons

People with Multiple Sclerosis

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms

People with liver disease and liver transplant

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-health-advice-for-people-with-liver-disease-and-liver-transplant-patients/

People with kidney disease including dialysis

https://www.kidneycareuk.org/news-and-campaigns/coronavirus-advice/

People with epilepsy

https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/news/epilepsy-and-coronavirus-09-03-2020#.XnD_g8CnyEc

 FAQ’s

Is the GP Surgery still open ?

Yes, we remain open.  BUT we ask that you DO NOT attend the surgery unless you have been advised to do so by a member of our team.  Appointments are being done via telephone and when helpful GPs and Practice Nurses can use video consulting. When you request a GP or Practice Nurse telephone appointment, we cannot specify which doctor or nurse will ring you or give an exact time due to workload demands but will specify which day the call will take place.  Please help us by ensuring we have your up-to-date telephone number and keep your phone to hand to take the call. Please bear with us if the phones are busy or there are delays in returning your calls.

Should I come to the Surgery ?

Please do not arrive unannounced as you will not be seen.  While most people with COVID-19 will have symptoms such as new persistent cough or a fever, some people will have no symptoms at all but will be spreading the virus. We are trying to ensure our team can stay healthy so we can help our patients.  We also do not want to inadvertently pass on the virus to our patients.  So we have to weigh the risks to you and us of face to face consultations, versus the risk of you not being seen face to face.  The fewer patients we see, the less chance there is of the virus being passed on. However, there are some patients who have to be seen for regular blood tests and immunisations, the Doctor or Nurse will assess the need for this. 

What about ordering medication ?

We are processing medication requests as normal.  All of the pharmacies are experiencing very high workloads and are asking for longer to have your medication ready for collection/delivery.   Please note paper prescriptions requests usually handed in at the surgery should be left in the letter box on the outside of the building. If you would like to order your prescription over the telephone, call 01434 320077, select option 2 and leave your request on the messaging facility. 

How can patients help ?

Currently the best and most important thing you can do is STAY AT ALERT, STAY SAFE. If you do have to attend the surgery, for example for an appointment such as a blood test, please keep your visit brief, use the hand sanitiser provided in the waiting room and stay 2 meters apart from other patients and staff where possible.   Even if you have a booked appointment do not attend if you have symptoms of COVID-19.  Please help us to stay healthy so we can help others.