The Coronavirus pandemic has had an enormous impact on our patients, practice staff and the wider community.
We have been working hard to change our systems to continue to offer a high level of healthcare and support for our registered population through these changing times.
Given the rapidly changing nature of the national coronavirus response, we refer you to the official websites websites which should contain the most up to date guidance:
In keeping with North-West London guidelines, we would like patients to understand that the NHS is very busy responding to the coronavirus pandemic and, at certain times, the GP practice may need to prioritise patients with the most urgent health needs.
If you have a health issue that isn’t urgent, advice is available on the NHS website www.nhs.uk or NHS app or you can speak to your local pharmacist. You can also use e-consult which is available through our practice website. If you aren’t sure what to do, please contact the practice who can advise you on how to get the help you need.
Please continue to attend tests, vaccinations and screening when invited.
www.111.nhs.uk is also available 24/7 for urgent health advice or by calling 111, and 999 is for emergencies.
Update: National Lockdown November 2020
The national lockdown means only going out for:
· Work if you cannot work from home
· Food and essentials
· Medical reasons or appointments including the flu jab or a coronavirus test
· Exercise
· Providing care for vulnerable people
Visit GOV.UK for the full guidance.
The NHS is open – continue to access NHS services if you need them
- We want our local residents to know that no matter what your concern may be, our NHS services are still available for your use.
- If you have a health concern speak to your GP or NHS 111 right away.
- If you have been called for an appointment, it is because you need it. Please make sure you attend if you are asked to do so – it is much safer to attend than to not come in due to misplaced fears.
- Rigorous measures are in place across our services to keep both patients and staff safe, including separating people who may have Covid-19 from those who do not.
- Many of our services are also being offered virtually, by telephone or video call.
Clinically extremely vulnerable people.
The Government advice to people who are defined on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus are advised over the period of the new national lockdown to work from home.
The new guidance adds two new groups of adult patients to the criteria, adults with:
- stage 5 chronic kidney disease (not on dialysis or with a renal transplant – these patients should already be on the SPL)
- Down’s syndrome
Other key points:
- If you cannot work from home you are advised not to go to work and may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
- You are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, but are encouraged to go outside for exercise. · The full guidance is available here and the Government is writing to this cohort to set out detailed advice while the new restrictions are in place.
- If you think there are good clinical reasons why you should be added to the Shielded patients list, discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.
Stop the Spread – Hands, Face, Space.
Do what you can to reduce the risk of you and other people getting ill with coronavirus by following these infection control measures:
Do
- Keep a distance of 2 metres from people not in your household or support bubble.
- Wear a face covering on transport, shops and restaurants and when you can’t social distance.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- When returning home wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Use hand sanitiser gel where 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
Don’t
- touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
**Some people should not wear face coverings, such as children under 3 and people with breathing difficulties.**
Testing
If you have symptoms, book a test. Home tests, drive through and walk in testing are all available. There are currently no known capacity issues at testing centres so appointments should be readily available.
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms:
- high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to take your temperature)
- new, continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you can’t smell or taste anything, or things smell and taste different to normal. · Book a test online https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119. · If you are isolating at home with symptoms or a positive test, there is support available on how to manage your symptoms.
If you are going into hospital for a planned procedure or you are taken into hospital in an emergency you will be tested.
Mental health
We know this is going to be a difficult time for people particularly in the darker days of winter, there is a range of mental health and wellbeing support available. If you are stressed, anxious or experiencing low mood you can access:
- Wellbeing and psychological support from a North West London IAPT service. You can refer yourself or speak to your GP or another healthcare professional for a referral. For more information visit www.westlondon.nhs.uk/service/iapt/ or www.talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/.
- Good Thinking provides digital mental wellbeing support for London. This includes free NHS-approved apps to help you deal with stress, anxiety, low mood and poor sleep. More information can be found here www.good-thinking.uk/coronavirus/
- Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. It is supported by the Mayor of London and led by the London Health Board partners. More information can be found here https://thriveldn.co.uk
