CHANGES TO HOW YOU ACCESS YOUR GP SERVICES
Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the way you access your GP practice has changed. You must now telephone your GP practice – DO NOT attend in person. Your GP practice will then arrange the best care for you depending on your need.  This will likely be a phone call or video call. If you do need to see a doctor face-to-face, then this will be arranged for you and it may be in a different location. Alternatively, use the online NHS 111 service or call NHS 111.
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We want to reassure you that your GP practice is still here to look after you and your family.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID-19)  
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Main symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

What to do if you have symptoms:

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

  1. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
  2. You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.

You can arrange a test by calling 119 or visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
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When to self-isolate
Self-isolate immediately if:

You do not need to contact your GP Practice or call NHS111 to go into self-isolation. 

  • If you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to self-isolate;
  • If you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal.

If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact online/call the NHS 111 service.

If you, or the person you are caring for, is struggling to breathe, has a fast pulse, their hands or lips are cold and/or blue, are drowsy, confused or difficult to wake, has tightness in their chest, or is unable to speak a short sentence, dial NHS 111 or 999 immediately.

If you need any other medical help, or advice, please contact your GP surgery between the hours of 8:30am and 6.30pm, and NHS 111 between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.30am for advice. In case of emergency, call 999.

How to avoid catching or spreading Coronavirus

Do:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
  • Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don’t:

  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus.

Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.

The vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and hundreds of local vaccination centres run by GPs.

It’s being given to:

  • some people aged 80 and over who already have a hospital appointment in the next few weeks
  • people who live or work in care homes
  • health care workers at high risk

The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.

Wait to be contacted

The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

Please wait for the surgery to contact you if you are eligible.

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Treatment for Coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for Coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.

Government response and action plan

Find out more:

Sick Notes for Isolation:

if you require a sick note for isolation please click on the following link.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Toolkit:

 

2020.03.18 A5_Leaflet_Web Your local NHS is open for business – Communications Toolkit – FINAL

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2020.03.18 A5_Leaflet_Web