FACE MASKS & ATTENDING SURGERY
Despite the easing of legal restrictions from 19th July we will still request that patients wear face coverings when attending appointments at either practice, this is due to the rising numbers of positive cases of COVID-19. Patients attending the surgery are often unwell and vulnerable and we have a duty of care to protect our patients and staff.
Our staff will also continue to wear adequate PPE when consulting with patients face to face.
To keep surgery footfall down and help us manage a social distanced, safe environment, we ask that you continue to phone our receptionists for queries and use pharmacies to manage your prescriptions electronically. We are only allowing patients to enter the building if they have a face to face appointment.
WE NEED TO REMAIN WELL SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP YOU REMAIN WELL.
PLEASE TREAT OUR STAFF WITH RESPECT. THEY ARE HERE TO HELP YOU AND WILL DO THEIR VERY BEST TO DO SO.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR PATIENTS VERY MUCH FOR HELPING US ALL MANAGE UNDER THESE VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
APPOINTMENTS
We offer both telephone and face to face appointments, patients are given the choice when phoning the surgery. Please note there are some consultations that must be carried out face to face so our Reception Team will be asking the reason for appointment for all appointments.
Whilst we are adjusting our system to regain the balance between ratio of F2F and Telephone appointments our online booking and 24 hour automated booking system is still disabled.
VACCINATION PROGRAMME UPDATE
FOR COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: https://stevenagesouthpcn.gpweb.org.uk/covid-19-vaccine-updates
EASY READ / DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
You can access information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Nepali, Punjabi, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-for-older-adults
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
There is more Easy Read information on vaccinations for people with learning disabilities and their Carers available:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/adult-social-services/disability/learning-disabilities/my-health/coronavirus-information-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.aspx
PRESCRIPTIONS
We are encouraging all patients to go online to order their repeat prescriptions or use their current pharmacy to order prescriptions on their behalf. If you are unable to go online please use our letter box outside at each surgery to post your requests. All prescriptions issued will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy, if you do not have a nominated pharmacy we will send them electronically to our local pharmacies and inform you of which pharmacy to attend.
COVID MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
If you require an isolation note please visit: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOL
For people concerned about children attending educational settings; we understand and sympathise with the concerns around children attending school at this time, especially if a household has extremely vulnerable members. As a practice we are very sorry, but decisions about children attending school are not ours to make. It's not something that we can help with. We would suggest a discussion between the people involved and the school to decide on the best course of action.
MASK EXEMPTIONS
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions
YOUR COVID RECOVERY
As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.
These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help
The link below 'Your COVID Recovery' helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.
https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/
NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDER SERVICE
NHS Volunteer Responders have been mobilised to help support vulnerable patients who are self-isolating. Priority will be given to those identified as most at risk from COVID-19 and asked to self-isolate at home for an extended period.
NHS Volunteer Responders can help patients with tasks such as delivering medicines from pharmacies; driving patients to appointments; bringing them home from hospital; and regular phone calls to check they are ok. Volunteers will receive role specific training where required.
There are four types of support available:-
Community Response volunteer: volunteers to collect and deliver shopping, medication or other essential supplies.
Patient Transport volunteer: volunteers to provide transport to patients who are ready for discharge and ensure that they are settled safely back into their homes.
NHS Transport volunteer: volunteers to transport equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites. It may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.
Check in and Chat volunteer: volunteers to provide telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness.
To request a volunteer support for any of the above please contact the service on:-
0808 196 3382
COVID-19 AND SAFEGUARDING
During this pandemic, should you require any outside help, please use any of the appropriate links below:-
> National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
> NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.
> Childline 0800 1111: Offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry.
> MIND: Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’. www.mind.org.uk
> Young Minds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus. https://youngminds.org.uk
> ICON: Babies cry: You can cope. http://iconcope.org/
> Safe Lives: Specific resources for domestic abuse and COVID. http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domesticabuse-and-covid-19