Welcome

CORONAVIRUS:

Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public.

If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days.

Please do NOT book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.

But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. 

Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.

How we are dealing with Coronavirus

In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, we are temporarily changing the way in which the Practice operates.  This is to protect our elderly and vulnerable patients by separating our routine general practice work from patients presenting with a possible infectious illness.  All routine work is now being undertaken in Fowey Surgery.

As from 25^th March our procedures will once again be changing.

Both of our sites (Par and Fowey) will be complete triage.  This will mean that if you phone for an appointment then the receptionists will ask for some details Attached.  The doctor will then call you back and offer you an appointment if necessary.  You will be given a time to arrive at the surgery and we ask that you remain in your car.  The doctor will call you and ask you to come into the surgery for your appointment.  Please do not bring anyone else with you unless you absolutely have no choice (mobility issues, problems understanding, or if it is child will be acceptable.)  We are taking this approach to prevent patients sitting in the waiting room.

Medication:

Your medication will be issued as normal.  However, to make things easier for all concerned we would be grateful if you would consent for us to send your prescription electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice.  If you are happy for us to do this, please contact Reception who will pass your consent and information to the Prescription Clerk.

You will also no longer be able to come into the surgery to collect prescriptions.  Again, this is to prevent too many people in the waiting area.  All prescriptions will need to be sent electronically to the chemist (for this we will need your consent - please call reception and tell them that you would like your prescriptions to go electronically and to which chemist). 

Advice:

If you are concerned you may have been affected by the Coronavirus, please isolate for 7 days.  DO NOT attend the surgery.  Further advice is available from NHS 111.  If you have no online access, dial 111.

Appointments:

Upon telephoning the Receptionist will now ask you a series of questions, asking for a brief description of your condition.  This is important to direct you to the most appropriate member of staff.  You will then be triaged by a Clinician and advised over the telephone or booked as appropriate.

Clearly this is a rapidly evolving situation and our service may have to change to reflect this but please be assured that the care of our patients will be met as far as we can.

Nurse Appointments:

Will no longer be pre-booked unless you require the following procedures:

INR, Dressing, Removal of Stitches/sutures, Childhood Immunisations and Cervical Screening that requires an early repeat in 3, 6 or 12 months.

There are many blood tests that we will book including drug/condition monitoring, however, routine bloods will be suspended.  Patients requiring B12 injections will be booked on a case by case basis after telephone triage with the Clinician.

We will no longer be routinely offering ear wash outs, shingles or travel vaccinations.

Obviously this is a summary with many procedures not mentioned.  If you are in doubt please speak to the Receptionist who will be able to advise you fully with the latest guidance.

Self Help:

We will endeavour to keep our website updated but there are ways you can help yourself:

Use eConsult (link below)

Order prescriptions online (again links below).

Please order your medication 7 days in advance, this will allow us time to process your prescription whilst ensuring you don’t run out.  Prescription requests WILL NOT be taken by telephone.  We are not able to process more than a months' worth of medication at a time.  This is to prevent stock piling and creating a lack of available medication for the whole country.

NHS England have produced a very simple 'Stay At Home' guidance document which is attached here.

GET FAST ONLINE ACCESS TO YOUR GP SURGERY WITH ...

We have currently suspended ALL online appointments due to additional information being required on booking because of Coronavirus. 

Medication requests continue to be accessible.   You can also request access to your Detailed Coded Records by completing the necessary consent form. (See Reception)

YOU CAN PICK UP A REGISTRATION FORM AT ANY OF OUR SURGERIES OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FROM THE ONLINE SERVICES LINK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE

The Practice has approval as an Savvy approved service. Visit www.savvykernow.org.uk for more information.HH