Practice Alert - Covid Symptoms; Covid Testing; Face Covering Exemptions and Other Important Messages

URGENT UPDATE : 

Due to a national issue out of our control, it is not possible to process routine blood tests at this time.

Please call reception or check back on our website when this is back to normal.

We Apologise for the inconvenience, please see BBC article : 

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54435226 - updated 12 October 2020

1) COVID SYMPTOMS

If you have a new continuous cough , fever 37.8 C or more, or change in taste or smell, as per public health guindance, this is assumed to be Covid. You must isolate for 10 days from onset of sypmtoms until the swab determines a negative result. The household members must isolate for 14 days, unless they develop the symptoms mentioned above in which case they will need to isolate for 10 days from the onset of these symptoms.

2) COVID TESTING

We are aware of  the severe problems nationwide in obtaining Covid tests. Unfortunately, we are unable to access these tests for ourselves, our staff or our patients and we are not able to help you to obtain one. Please do not call us to ask; this risks overloading our telephone lines with patients most in need finding it difficult to get through. Please continue to visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book a test, or call 119.

All initial consultations are done by telephone or e-consult so we can safely manage risk when bringing in those patients most in need of being seen face-to-face.

3) FACE COVERING EXEMPTIONS

You do not require confirmation from a GP if you feel you need to be exempt from wearing a face mask. We cannot provide exemption letters or certificates. Please visit https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/face-coverings for guidance.

UPDATED 18 SEPT 2020, FOR REVIEW by 20 October 2020