Coronavirus

This page has been created to keep patients informed of the latest news and advice on the Coronavirus outbreak.

We aim to add any updates as soon as possible once these are received, but you can also visit GOV.UK for the latest information.

Key Information from the Practices

Appointments at your Practice

To protect yourself and to help us to protect other patients and staff, please do not attend your GP Practice unless you have had a telephone consultation first.

Appointments may be available to be booked online by following the link to Patient Access, or if not, please call your Practice directly.

Blood Tests

If a Doctor or Nurse has asked you to have a blood test, you must first call the first floor on ☎ 01625 264095 to make an appointment.

Drop-in appointments are not available at this time.

You should not contact your GP if you need to self-isolate and think that you require proof for your employer. People unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus (COVID-19) can obtain an isolation note through a new online service.

The isolation note service can be accessed via the 111 online coronavirus service or NHS.UK/coronavirus as well as via the NHS app.

Rescue Packs

There has been some incorrect information about Asthma and COPD rescue packs on social media recently. These packs are only for bacterial infections which Coronavirus is not (it is a virus). If you don’t normally have an Asthma or COPD rescue pack you should not contact your GP Practice to order one.

Repeat Prescriptions

Ordering your repeat prescription
It is better for your GP practice if you order your repeat prescription electronically using the NHS App (or another online service such as Patient Access). People who can’t use an electronic method themselves can ask for a family member or trusted friend/neighbour to be nominated to order electronically on their behalf.

Please order when you have a supply of 7 days of your usual medicines left, to give the practice and the pharmacy time to issue the prescription and dispense the items.

When you order your repeat prescription, be aware that practices will only be issuing the usual amount of medicines (usually enough for a month) and at the usual frequency – please don’t ask for more than the usual amount or request your prescription more often.

Getting your repeat prescription to a Pharmacy
Most prescriptions are sent electronically from your GP Practice to a pharmacy for dispensing. You may be asked to nominate the pharmacy you would like to use to support this system. If someone else (e.g. a family member or trusted friend/neighbour) is collecting your prescription for you, you can ask your GP Practice to change to a pharmacy that is more convenient to them.

Some patients may be set up for a system called “repeat dispensing” where your doctor approves several months of items (between 3 and 12 month’s supply) to be dispensed at monthly intervals by your pharmacy. For more information on this click here.

Collecting your dispensed items from the pharmacy
Please allow around 5 days from ordering your prescription before attempting to collect your items. It is helpful if the pharmacy has your mobile number (or a mobile number for the person collecting on your behalf) so they can text you when your prescription is ready.

If you have previously had your medicines delivered by the pharmacy, they should still be delivered as normal. If you have previously collected your prescription yourself, but are no longer able to do (e.g. you are shielded or self-isolating) please ask your family and friends to collect your medicines for you.

If you don’t have anyone you can ask to collect your prescription please let your pharmacy know, as pharmacies are working very hard to expand their delivery services and they may be able to deliver to you.

If the pharmacy doesn’t have any capacity to deliver to you and you don’t have someone personal to you who can collect your medicines, you can go to the following website and ask for help: Cheshire East People Helping People

Vulnerable Individuals

The NHS in England is currently writing to individuals that it has identified as being at particularly high risk of contracting Coronavirus due to underlying health conditions, outlining what steps they should take and why.

You do not need to contact your GP Practice if you think you are at particularly high risk but haven’t yet received a letter.

We will contact you if we need to.

Useful Links and Resources

Self Isolating or Social Distancing?
If you are unsure about which you need to do, and what you need to give to your employer, please click here for a helpful guide.

For more details about Self Isolating at Home, please click here.

To see how long your household should be self isolating for, please click here.

Cheshire East Services
To view the latest information from Cheshire East council, please click here.

If you would like to offer support or need help with any of the following activities, then please call 0300 123 5034 or click here to register online:

Shopping / gathering medical supplies
Meal Delivery
Advice and Guidance
A friendly phone call

Mental Health and Wellbeing
MIND have produced a guide on looking after your mental health and wellbeing whilst self isolating, and how to cope with worries and anxiety, please click here to view.

CAMHS have added various resources and links to the MyMind Website, to help support children and young people around Covid-19 and their mental health.

Pregnancy
To view the latest guidance and advice for pregnant women and their families, please click here for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists handy FAQ.

Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding adults means protecting adults at risk from abuse or neglect. If you have any concerns or need any support, please contact Cheshire East Adult Social Care on 0300 123 5010.

Fraud
Beware of online scams and fraud during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Latest Statement (18th March 2020)

Important information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS in Cheshire 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.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.