As you are aware COVID 19 is ever changing, as a Practice we have had to act quickly to reflect changes to government and NHS guidance.
New NHS text service launched
A new service was launched on Saturday where new patients who register their Covid-19 symptoms and contact details with the 111 online service will receive daily texts from the NHS. The messages will check how people are and ensure that those who need help to get them through the isolation period receive it. The text messages will be sent as a reassurance to those who contact NHS 111 online, complete the assessment, and leave basic information such as their age, mobile number and when their symptoms started.
Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person : -
Please follow the link provided
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-people-at-high-risk/
For information on:
Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 outbreak the following non urgent appointments are to be postponed until further notice and are as follows:
- All routine Doctor Reviews
- Insurance/HGV medicals
- All routine Annual reviews
- Travel advice and travel vaccinations
- New patient reviews
- Over 75 health checks
- Cervical screening may be postponed unless you have specific concerns (please contact surgery by telephone if concerned)
- Minor Surgery
- Ear checks and irrigation
- Phlebotomy (essential blood tests will be arranged following telephone triage from a clinician)
- Routine medication reviews (essential ones to be conducted by phone)
- Contraceptive services, some of these may be postponed however if you are unsure please contact the surgery via telephone
- All other routine nurse appointments will be subject to telephone triage by our nurses
- All other non-urgent appointments to be postponed until further notice
Text messages -
As you are aware we have been sending lots of text messages out to patients recently with information regarding practice updates on Coronavirus, as have many other practices. As a result messages have been delayed which may have caused confusion to you. Please accept our apologies.
As part of our continuity plan we have started to triage patients coming to the surgery for an appointment, we are asking patients not to come to the surgery unless you have received a telephone call from a Dr or Nurse.
Please do not come into the surgery to request prescriptions. You are aware that we have been encouraging patients to switch to electronic prescriptions, we are now driving this forward. Please email the surgery at darwinmedical.practice@nhs.net or you can call the surgery after 12pm to request prescriptions as at this time we are taking repeat prescriptions via telephone. You may be able to arrange delivery of items with your local pharmacy, there may be a charge for this service.
If you need to see a GP or Nurse please call 01543 674477
Due to self-isolation and social distancing for vulnerable people we have a reduced staffing and clinician team. We have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Chasetown and St Chads at Lichfield in order to safely protect and care for our patients and staff.
We are meeting as a management and partners team daily to reflect on the ever changing guidance and how we appropriately deploy staff and clinicians to effectively provide care to our patients with extra pressures and demands being faced as a result of COVID-19. We thank you for your understanding at this time.
Due to escalating issues with Corona virus , the practice is having to take preventative measures. If you have a pre-booked appointment in the next few weeks, please DO NOT attend for this appointment until you have been contacted by a clinician. The Practice will contact you by telephone prior to your appointment time. Please DO NOT attend the surgery unless you have to. Thank you for your understanding at this current time.
(Site updated 03/04/2020)