Stay at home if you have symptoms – this will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious
The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above, even if your symptoms are mild, stay at home and arrange to have a test.
There are several other symptoms linked with COVID-19. These other symptoms may have another cause and are not on their own a reason to have a COVID-19 test. If you are concerned about your symptoms, seek medical advice.
Complete ‘Stay at Home’ guidance for you and others in your household can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
The latest guidance on Covid-19 from Public Health Wales can be found at https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Do not attend the Surgery, a pharmacy or a hospital. You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
The government is recommending social distancing for everyone in the UK and for protecting older people and vulnerable people – see guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people – this this is particularly important to protect people who:
- are 70 or over
- have a long-term condition
- are pregnant
- have a weakened immune system
Please be aware that the situation with regard to coronavirus COVID-19 is constantly evolving and you need to check the latest advice and guidance which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
CHANGES AT ST DAVIDS SURGERY – in an effort to minimise risk of infection to patients and staff, and to cope with unprecedented demand on our service, we are making changes to the way the Practice works. Your co-operation and patience are appreciated. Members of the Practice team also have to follow Public Health Advice and may need to self-isolate, and this will have an impact on our staffing levels and services.
In order to minimise footfall within the surgery and therefore reduce the risk of transmission, we have decided to keep the surgery door locked. If you have an appointment, or for anything urgent during opening hours, please ring the door bell and someone will come to the door – please be patient, as it takes time for staff to put on personal protective equipment before coming to the door. If you need to drop off your prescription request, please post it through the letter box.
The Practice has cancelled all routine face-to-face GP and Practice Nurse reviews, and non-essential Practice Nurse appointments. We have a duty of care to our patients and to our Practice team, and have taken this step to reduce the risk of infection to patients, Practice staff and colleagues. You may be offered a telephone review instead, if appropriate.
** PLEASE NOTE – GP PRACTICES ARE STILL OPEN, AND IF PATIENTS HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT, ESPECIALLY IF IT COULD BE CANCER, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THEIR GP STRAIGHT AWAY. WE ACKNOWLEDGE PATIENTS’ CONCERNS AROUND THE RISK OF COVID-19 INFECTION, BUT PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT WE ARE OFFERING MAINLY CONSULTATIONS BY TELEPHONE, VIDEO OR E-CONSULT DURING THE PANDEMIC – AND PATIENTS WILL ONLY BE ASKED TO ATTEND THE SURGERY FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR TEST WHERE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO **
For urgent appointment requests, home visit requests, or advice – please ring the Surgery, and a clinician will ring you back. Please assist by giving the Receptionist clear information, and confirm your contact details.
Essential nursing appointments (e.g. anticoagulation monitoring) – we will inform you if your appointment is cancelled. If you become unwell, please contact the Surgery before attending.
Coughs, colds, flu-like symptoms – please do not attend the Surgery. Please ring the Surgery, and a clinician will ring you back. Please assist by giving the Receptionist clear information, and confirm your contact details.
Repeat Prescriptions – please continue to order as usual. You may request for your prescription to be sent to the local Pharmacy if required. You may also like to register for ‘My Health Online’ (MHOL) if you have not already done so – this is an online service that enables you to order your repeat medication online. To register for MHOL, please download a MHOL Patient Registration Form from our website Home Page.
Non-essential/non-NHS admin work – e.g. insurance forms, letters, etc – this work will be suspended, in order to allow us to dedicate staffing and resources to managing the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Practice will not be providing letters or sick notes to patients who have been advised to self-isolate, or who have chosen to self-isolate. If you need an isolation note to give to your employer, you can obtain one by following this link: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Community Pharmacies – since the COVID-19 outbreak, Pharmacies have seen unprecedented increased footfall and spiralling demand for medications and prescriptions. In order to continue to provide their services, whilst having time to recover and catch up, they may need to close their doors for a period of time each day to maintain patient safety and ensure they continue to deliver the valued NHS pharmaceutical services you expect. Please note – there are likely to be delays to prescriptions. Pharmacy opening hours may have to change – Pharmacies will notify patients of their individual intentions.
Remember to help stop the spread of the virus:
- Self-isolate if you have symptoms or are feeling unwell
- Wash your hands regularly with hot water and soap – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- Use hand sanitiser gel if 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
- Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
- Only travel on public transport if you need to
- Work from home, if you can
- Avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- Avoid events with large groups of people
- Use phone or online services to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services, where available
