CORONOVIRUS

NOTICE FOR PATIENTS DURING COVID-19 PERIOD

Information - 06.05.2020

ACCESSING THE SURGERY FOR TREATMENT OR ADVICE

In line with Government advice on reducing risks of cross infection and enabling a safe switch on of services, Welton Family Health Centre will continue to triage all patient contact by telephone, and will shortly be introducing a complete online triage appointment system.

In the meantime, patients will need to continue to telephone the surgery before attending as they will not be permitted entry UNLESS they have been given a face to face appointment by a doctor or nurse.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS

We ask that patients with COVID-19 symptoms continue to contact 111 for advice and to stay isolated at home as per the Government guidance.

HIGH RISK / SHIELDING PATIENTS

Patients that have already been identified by NHS England or the surgery as being in one of the recognized 'high risk groups' will be contacted by our Clinical Team to check if you require any support with your health condition, medication or any other welfare support. If you need help sooner, please contact reception.

Please note that the most recent Government guidance is advising patients that have been notified as high risk to shield until 30^th June 2020, subject to further review.

DISPENSARY: ORDERING REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS AND DELIVERIES

The Dispensary will continue to operate as it has done for the last 5 weeks. To order repeat medication, patients can:

post their repeat requests through the front door letterbox
use the 24 hour answer machine to order medication
to use the 24 hour online tool to order medication

For patient and staff safety, we will continue to offer restricted collection times of 11am, 1pm and 5pm will continue, and patients are asked to specify a time and day they wish to collect their medication. We will continue our complimentary delivery service, free of charge, for patients over the age of 60 and those that are shielding or isolating under government guidance.

ONGOING LONG TERM CONDITION REVIEWS

Patients who have long term conditions will be reviewed over the coming weeks by our Clinical Team. Patients will be contacted by the surgery and be given appropriate appointments for their reviews. To support us with this please can you ensure that we have up to date contact details for you - including address, telephone / mobile telephone number, and email address with consent for us to use these methods of communication.

CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATIONS

The Practice is continuing to give vaccinations to children as part of the normal schedule. Please contact reception to make an appointment for these.

NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

In line with national guidance we are now required to install an online triage tool for patients to access appointments. We are currently in the process of organising the installation of ‘AskMyGP’ and more information will be available in the coming days.

To support AskMyGP the practice has already begun using a piece of software called ‘AccuRx’ which allows us to request photographs and video messages from patients to aid the consultation process. This is something that has been invaluable in these current times but also something we feel that we could use more in the future. If you have a condition that the GP feels they would benefit from seeing a ‘photo or having a video call with you then they will send you the link and instructions via text message of how to do this. We will also be using this software to send out long term condition review questionnaires, test results and other useful information.

It is important that you give us your consent to do this and our receptionists may ring you to ask you to give permission for this.

THANK YOU

The Practice would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, patients and colleagues for their flexibility, understanding and kindness during these unprecedented times. Changes have occurred at very short notice for everyone and we appreciate your support with this. We would also like to thank all the PDA committee members/drivers and wonderful volunteers that have helped us to deliver medication and to those that have supplied us with protective equipment and treats of cakes and chocolates. Everyone plays a part in this; including those that are staying at home. Thank you also to those that have gone out each Thursday to clap for key workers and given words of thanks, encouragement and praise; it really makes a difference.

As always, this is a team effort and we are privileged to be able to continue to provide a high class service to patients and be instrumental in beating this virus.

Take care and stay safe… and remember we are here if you need us.

From all the staff at Welton Family Health Centre

CORONOVIRUS

Updates - important please read

Patients are now able to self-identify themselves as being in the HIGHEST CLINICAL RISK group by registering their details on the government website. The government is using this online tool to aid the identification of patients. Please follow the link below:

Information re: High Risk Patients

WELTON FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE are working in conjunction with Welton Parish Council to co-ordinate a Covid-19 response team for our patients. ***If you are in need of help OR are able to help during this difficult time please contact the Parish Council at* communityaid19@yahoo.com *or telephone 01673 860336.***

follow the links below:

DENTAL CARE - Further Info (added 5.5.2020)

URGENT DENTAL CARE INFO

SICK NOTE'S / MED 3 REQUESTS 18.03.2020

CHANGES TO ACUTE ACCESS CLINIC - COVID-19 11.03.2020

National guidance from today (13.03.2020):

Anyone who has a new persistent cough or fever should self isolate for seven days, regardless of suspected cause.

Most cases of chest infections and fever settle without antibiotics, so you should only seek medical assistance if seriously unwell, and in that case by 111. You should NOT call 111 if you have mild symptoms.

If you are self isolating, DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY for any reason including routine check ups and blood tests.

If you need to speak to doctor or nurse about another issue but have a cough or fever please make this clear to the receptionist when telephoning the practice.

Everything we are doing is following national guidance, to protect as many patients and staff as possible and to limit the spread.

Please note: we cannot diagnose coronovirus at the surgery, and have no access to the test.

For further information visit:

Http://www.nhs.uk

We are concerned that patients seeking information on coronavirus are being directed to call 111 rather than use NHS 111 online. NHS 111 is experiencing very high call volumes.

Please use the following link to NHS111 online:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

WELCOME TO WELTON FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE

We are a two partner practice based in Welton covering an area of approx 135 square miles. We offer on site dispensing services to all patients who live more than one mile from a chemist’s shop. We work as a partnership and patients may consult any of the doctors in the practice. We also employ the services of additional doctors as needed to maintain adequate medical cover. We offer a full range of services including child health, maternity services, minor surgery, disease management clinics, travel health and family planning.

We work with a team of qualified staff who help us to provide a wide range of services. All partners regularly attend postgraduate refresher courses and are keen to keep abreast of current developments in medicine. We are committed to the training and development of all staff and regularly hold training sessions.

Our main surgery site was extended in 1998 to offer improved facilities and comfortable surroundings. Parking facilities exist to the front left hand side of the surgery and we have suitable access for disabled patients & visitors. We are part of Lincolnshire West CCG and have representation on various committees and subgroups associated with this.

Our Aim Is To....

Visit us on Facebook

“Maintain and improve the health of people who live locally, providing high quality health care services which are flexible and responsive to their assessed needs, in a friendly, professional and efficient manner, working with a team approach”

Training Practice - In May 2010 we were pleased to pass our assessment for the Practice to become a training practice. GP Registrars are fully qualified doctors who hope to pursue a career in General Practice and as part of this need to gain experience in a surgery.

Map of Welton Family Health Centre Practice Area The red unbroken line outlines our main boundary, within which we accept registration applications. The purple dotted line indicates areas whereby if a currently registered patient of the practice moves to we will continue to provide services within.

Please note that telephone calls to and from the surgery are recorded.