Coronavirus Update
As a practice we are continuing to adapt the way we work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All our GP appointments continue to be telephone appointments in the first instance. If the GP feels that you do need to be seen, then they will arrange a face to face appointment for you. When you come to the surgery you will need to wear a face mask. We continue to ask that you wait in the car park and we will contact you when we are ready for you to come into the building. We now have an intercom at the front door.
Please ensure that we have an up to date mobile telephone number on your records as we will use this number to advise you when to come in. In addition, we can send messages to your phone and also have a facility where, if requested, you can send information back to us via your mobile phone.
Our nursing team are working in a similar way – if possible we are trying to do some chronic disease reviews by phone if this is appropriate. We are sending out a text questionnaire to appropriate asthmatic patients – the replies are reviewed by a GP – if your asthma is stable, then your medication will be updated with no need to come in; if your condition is not stable an appointment to speak to a clinician will be arranged.
Our nursing team, however, are seeing a large number of patients and are working hard to clear a backlog of work that was postponed at the peak of the pandemic. At times we may therefore not be able to offer an appointment to have blood samples taken. Patients can attend Seacroft Hospital for samples to be taken and no appointment is needed. The service at Seacroft is open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 11.45 am and 1 pm to 3.45 pm. If you attend this service then we will give you the blood sample forms and labels to take with you. You may be asked by reception or clinical staff to attend Seacroft rather than attend the surgery.
The pandemic has been a difficult time with many people reporting an increase in anxiety and concerns about their emotional wellbeing. As schools prepare to return we are aware that many parents and children may have worries or anxiety about this. There are many resources that can help such as As a practice we also recommend Mindwell for adults and mindmate for children – you can refer yourself to this service with no need to ask your GP.
We are now in the final stages of organising our annual flu vaccination clinics. Due to the pandemic, these clinics will have to be run in a different way to previous years following government guidance. We will be contacting patients soon regarding booking appointments. Please be aware that due to the pandemic you may need to queue outside so please come prepared for the weather!
Dr C Hirst
01/09/2020