Coronavirus

Update 26/3/20 – Thank you to everyone who has heeded our call to reduce demand.  However we are still getting a small number of patients who are demanding GP appointments for non urgent matters.  The NHS has had to change its ways of working in response to the unprecedented risks of Coronavirus.  Hence the service you have expected has been suspended and will continue to be for a while yet.  Try to:

1. Self care
2. Take simple pain killers
3. Look for advice on the NHS website

Only contact the surgery if your problem is urgent.

Over the next few weeks, patients who are currently in hospital will be moved into the community.  This will put a massive strain on GP practices who will be expected to care from them.  GP Practices are already facing pressure from staff absences due to self isolation.  Allow us to focus on those who need care most.

Update 23/3/20– Even in a week, the outlook has changed significantly with regards to the Coronavirus outbreak.  As a practice our aims at the moment are to:

a) Reduce unnecessary patient contact

b) Gear up to deal with the impending wave of COVID related problems

Point b) is especially important.  We are only just entering into the phase where the number of cases will grow rapidly.  This will lead to more admissions to hospital and more unwell patients being cared for in the community.  We need to be ready for this and hence need your help to keep us free enough to be able to deal with this imminent wave of cases.

1. If you have a cough or a temperature, go to the NHS COVID website for advice BEFORE you contact the surgery
2. If you require a sick note for isolation, you can get one from the following website directly without contacting the pracitce.  the link also contains helpful advice about COVID and employment.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees
3. DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY FOR NON URGENT PROBLEMS.  Try to manage it at home or seek help online.  We are currently doing GP telephone/video consultations for urgent cases only.  However too many of these are still being taken up by non urgent or administrative queries.  All face to face consultations, blood tests and Practice nurse appointments have been cancelled until further notice.
4. Do not attend the premises unless you need to pick something up.  If that is the case, leave as soon as possible.  Do not congregate at the entrance or inside.
5. Register for online services at the practice.  This will allow you to order your prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy to have it sent to directly.

Please follow the advice given re isolation.  You are not only protecting yourself from this nasty illness, but potentially saving the lives of your elderly relatives who are affected much worse by COVID 19.  Many people are predicted to die in the coming 6 months.  Your actions can minimise this loss of life.

UPDATE 16/3/20, 1330–  We have become aware that certain patients are not disclosing symptoms in order to be seen.  May we remind you that we are currently in the midst of a global emergency where thousands of people have died and many more will die in the coming months.  Not being truthful is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly by the practice.

Please see the following documents for further information:

Bengali Covid-19 Guidance v2 16.03.2020

Urdu Covid19 Guidance v2 16.03.2020

Updated 15th March 2020

Dear Patients

We are currently in the midst of a very difficult situation with regards to COVID-19.  There are a lot of unknowns and practices nationally are not receiving much clarification with regards to the course of action they should take in each situation.  As this situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, Werneth Medical Practice will have to take measures which will be difficult for both ourselves and yourselves as patients.

1. DO NOT come to the practice if you have either a Cough or a high temperature (above 37.8C).  As the majority of these patients will not have COVID, it is perfectly safe for the majority to self isolate and let the illness pass.

If you are unwell or cannot cope at home, your condition gets worse or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, use the coronavirus service below.  DO NOT attend A+E or the Walk in Centre.

https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/

We do not want any potential case of COVID to spread

2. From Tuesday 17th March we have been directed to significantly restrict the number of appointments at the practice.  All Routine GP, Practice Nurse and HCA appointments will be cancelled.  The ability to book online appointments will be switched off.  We will be switching to Arms length consultations (telephone and video) and these are currently undergoing testing.  The aim of this is to minimise contact between patients and limit any potential spread of COVID.  These Arms length appointments will be with a GP and will be for URGENT matters only.  We ask that you do not insist on these appointments being used for non urgent or administrative matters.  These are directives issued by Oldham CCG, based on national guidance.

In the meantime, please only contact the surgery for an urgent matter.  Try to get what you need by phone or online.  This includes sick notes, letters and referral enquiries.  WMP will be fully staffed to deal with these enquiries.

3. Obtain your login details to use the online prescription ordering service, to minimise the need to come to the surgery.

The whole health service is under unprecedented pressure.  Guidance is being updated daily and may lead to changes in the service we are able to provide.  Be patient with us as many of the decisions made will be out of our hands and for a benefit that is not immediately apparent.