PLEASE NOTE
You must wear a face covering before you enter the building and wear it for the duration of your visit, thank you.
Announcement April 2021 – Our doors are open!
*Please do not come to the practice if you have a new cough or fever or change in sense of smell or taste*
*Please do not come to the practice if you have been asked to isolate by the test track and trace system*
During the last lockdown we reluctantly reverted to a closed-door system although were always here to help. From 12th April we opened our doors. Please only attend the surgery if you have a prebooked appointment or need to collect a prescription . All other queries will be fully attended to on the phone, via your NHS app or e-consult.
COVID-19 Coronavirus Information
Government advice is that we provide safe care during the pandemic. We aim to treat you as we always do, but there are some changes to the services we are allowed to offer. Thank you for your understanding.
- GP and most nurse appointments are triaged by telephone to ensure that our patients and staff are protected, and to ensure that we can maintain a service for patients throughout the pandemic. The best way to book an appointment is by downloading the NHS App. Failing this you can call 01778 562200 option 1 to book a telephone appointment
- In some cases we will offer you a video consultation, we will guide you through this process when we speak on the phone.
- When you are in the practice please sanitize, maintain a distance and wear a face covering.
If you, or a household contact have a new, continuous cough, a fever, loss or change of smell or taste you should self-isolate and visit the 111 website for further advice about testing. The link below allows you to book a test.
Thank you for your understanding.
Lincolnshire resilience forum
01522 782189
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum has set up a ‘Community and Volunteer Cell’ to link up both volunteers and people in need of help in Lincolnshire. Once registered, they will link up volunteers who will be able to provide people with assistance with things like shopping, getting prescriptions, dog-walking and a friendly chat.
Q: How can I help other people who are unwell or vulnerable?
Here is some information on how to help friends, family and neighbours in isolation safely:
Mental Health Help
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus
Don’t Lose Hope Café
Don’t Lose Hope now have our mental health support line operational. This is being staffed Monday to Friday 9 – 5 by their counselling team and trained listeners. If you feel you need someone to talk to, or need advice about a relative or friend you can call for a free chat.
Don’t Lose Hope would like to try and keep the support for our own community as much as possible. If you would like the number please email enquiries@dontlosehope.co.uk or message their facebook page and they will give you the number. www.facebook.com/dontlosehopecounselling
Lincolnshire Mental Health Helpline
0800 001 4331
A new confidential mental health and emotional wellbeing helpline.
The helpline is available 24/7 and can provide emotional support, advice and guidance if you are feeling low, anxious or stressed, and think you might benefit from speaking to someone.
By calling 0800 001 4331 you can speak to a member of a highly trained and experienced team of support workers who will be able to provide appropriate support.
“We want people to know that it’s ok not to be ok. Even the most resilient of us may sometimes struggle, especially in times like now with the increased uncertainty and the need for some people to avoid social contact. Whatever you are struggling with, the mental health and emotional support helpline for Lincolnshire is here for you.”
Queries about returning to school
Please see document below
Testing for symptomatic children
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has written a policy on children returning to school which is helpful – here is the link: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-talking-children-families-about-returning-school-guiding-principles#common-cold-and-covid-19-symptoms
We have summarised the advice for you:
- COVID-19 is a generally milder illness in children than in adults.
- Schools play a vital role in promoting childrens’ health, social and mental wellbeing, they provide health surveillance, support and advice.
- Previously shielding children are able to return to school whilst shielding is paused: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-shielding-guidance-children-young-people
o We expect colds and similar viral infections to circulate as children return to school, it is important to know who needs to remain off school and be tested and who can continue going to school and not be tested for COVID-19.
o Less than 10% of children with COVID-19 are found to have runny noses or sore throats, 39% have a cough and 70% have a fever.
o Children are half as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults, the evidence of transmission is extremely reassuring. Children pass on COVID-19 far less than adults do.
o In countries, such as Sweden, Iceland and Denmark, where schools were not closed or opened early, teachers do not have higher rates of COVID-19.
Who needs a test?
- The Royal College of Paediatrics and Public Health England suggests that, from the evidence available, children with simple cold symptoms such as runny noses or sore throats, without a fever, who would normally have continued going to school throughout their illness, do not need testing for COVID-19.
- Testing should be done in anyone with:
- A new, continuous cough
- A fever or high temperature
- A loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste
To order or book a test visit the 111 website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ or call 119
We have no access to tests for you and cannot book them for you.
Antibody testing
The government has announced a national antibody testing programme.
Antibody tests are used to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 virus to see if you have previously had the virus. The test is done on a blood sample. This is different to the swab that is done to test if you currently have the virus.
We have been informed that hospital staff are being prioritised for testing, but that clinicians will be able to request the tests for patients in the community “if they think it’s appropriate”.
Can I have the test?
We have been informed that GPs should offer Covid-19 antibody testing to patients who are having bloods taken for other reasons, if the patient wishes to know if they have had the virus.
It is important to remember that blood tests are still only being done if they are considered essential in an effort to reduce face to face contacts during this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What can I do with the knowledge that I have had COVID-19?
The result of an antibody test will not allow you to make changes to your behaviour, such as easing social distancing or ignoring government advice on gatherings. There is no strong evidence to suggest that those who have had the virus develop long-term immunity which would prevent them getting the virus again. It is also important to be aware that those with antibodies can still pick up, carry and pass on the virus to other people they are in contact with from contaminated surfaces.
The antibody tests therefore currently are in place to provide data on who has had the virus in our population and to allow a greater understanding of the spread of the virus.
Results
Regardless of the results you will not currently be able to alter your activities. You must comply with government advice, respect social distancing measures and current restrictions in place.
*** COVID Vaccination Information ***
Anyone over the age of 18 can book their vaccine – please book using the NHS app for an appointment at the practice or visit a vaccination centre. Anyone high risk over 12 please speak to our receptionist to book.
We advise that, if you are invited for vaccination, you attend as soon as possible if you are able to, regardless of the location of the vaccine site and regardless of the vaccination offered. During your vaccination appointment you will be carefully screened and vaccinated if it is safe to do so.
Vaccine supplies are restricted beyond our control and we do not have scheduled deliveries or vaccine numbers – these change on a day by day/week by week basis with limited notification of their arrival – making in Practice vaccination clinics very difficult to plan, thank you for your understanding.
Second Doses
You can book your second dose of Pfizer at the practicer using the NHS app or by booking at a mass vaccine centre by visiting Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Your second dose can be given 8 weeks from your first dose.
Booster Doses
Please book your booster dose at the practice using the NHS App if you have been invited to.
We are currently working on delivery of the vaccines needed to ensure every patient receives a booster before the New Year after the announcement on Sunday 12th December. As yet we have not been told how we will be supported during this process, but we assure you we will do everything we can. We will update our website and social media pages with information as soon as we have it.
Covid Oximetry @home
We will contact you if you are over 65 or high risk and test positive for covid. We will call you, provide you with a pulse oximeter to check your oxygen levels and text you daily with a reminder to check your ‘sats’. Our nurses will call you throughout your illness to review your progress.
If you are aged 18-64, have tested positive and have not been double vaccinated please see this information on how to look after yourself.
If you buy a pulse oximeter please ensure it meets ISO 80601-2-61:2017 and is CE marked. If you cannot buy one please contact us at the practice.