COVID-19 Risk Assessment
Covid-19
Face Coverings
With the Governments new rules on face coverings coming into effect from 24th July 2020, face masks / Facial coverings will be mandatory in shops and other public areas. We understand some patients will be worried about wearing a mask especially if you have breathing difficulties.
GPs are not in a position to provide exemption letters or certificates for patients who believe they should be exempt from wearing a face covering as this would divert the GP's time away from direct patient care.
The guidance suggests there is no requirement for the public to provide evidence, medical or otherwise, for exemption therefore a self declaration from the individual should be sufficient.
Please see the governments web page for the lastest advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
GP Appointments
- Call at 8am, our reception team will take a description of your symptoms and add your name to the GP's triage list.
- The GP or Nurse will then ring you back to assess you over the phone. (This will be the same for housebound patients - GP will call and only visit if necessary)
- Your problem may be managed by the GP or Nurse over phone with advice and/or a prescription or you may be asked to come into the surgery if appropriate.
Do not come in to the surgery for routine care if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 (Cough, high temperature, loss of smell or taste)
If your GP decides that a face to face assessment is necessary, they will book an appointment for you to be seen. Please follow the instructions below to keep you and our staff safe.
- Come in at your appointment time, not before.
- Please come to your appointment alone unless you are accompanying a child or vulnerable adult.
- You will be provided with a mask and gloves for your appointment.
- The GP or Nurse you see will be wearing full appropriate PPE
Stay alert and Stay Safe
We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:
- stay at home as much as possible
- work from home if you can
- limit contact with other people
- keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
- wash your hands regularly
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the following symptoms
- high temperature
- new, continuous cough
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
Testing
You can ask for a test:
- for yourself, if you have coronavirus symptoms now (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
- for someone you live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms
The tests are not suitable for children under 5 years old.
If you're asking for a test for someone else and the person is aged 13 or over, check they're happy for you to ask for a test for them.
https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
For the latest updates and advice go to:
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