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. 

We are seeing rising levels of Covid-19 in our communities.  We are working hard to provide the best level of care that we can for our patients and we are doing everything we can to keep our surgeries safe.

We learnt a lot during the first wave, so we are better prepared and we are using this experience to deliver our services.   We are hopeful that Staffordshire moving to Tier 2 will limit the spread of the virus in our communities and slow down the rate of infections over the next month.   We have not yet had to cancel planned sessions, however we may have to make some difficult decisions if the level of Covid-19 doesn’t slow down.

Our reception team will book telephone appointments and if the clinician feels it is necessary they will book you in for a face to face appointment.   Please do not get cross when the reception team do not book a face to face appointment, they are following our appointment booking protocol.

To protect the groups of people who are being hit the hardest by this virus and there are steps we can all take to help to protect them:

• Follow the rules of Tier 2 and do not invite guests into your home – treat these rules as a minimum.
• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly
• Wear a face mask 
• Keep your distance from anyone who isn’t part of your household or bubble, even if you wearing a facemask

We want to reassure our communities that our surgeries are safe and it is extremely important that anyone with significant health concerns continue to come to us for help.  We ask that unless you have a face to face appointment you don’t come into the surgeries. 

We support the messages from our local councils asking people not to mix with others unnecessarily and reduce social contact, where possible. These simple actions will help stop the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable.

If you need to see a clinician, they will follow strict guidance on infection control to protect themselves and other patients. This will include wearing personal protective equipment and restricting the number of people allowed on the premises at any one time.  We ask that all patients coming into the practice wear a face mask in line with government advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home .  As per government guidance, exemptions apply to very young children, disabled patients and those with breathing difficulties.

Face coverings are different to face masks in that they can be homemade, made of cloth, and be reusable.

To reduce risk we would appreciate you requesting  your prescription either email darwinmedical.practice@nhs.net or  use the NHS app. You can of course ask your pharmacy to order on your behalf.  We appreciate this may not always be possible and will now be accepting paper prescriptions requests.   If you do need to bring your paper copy into the surgery, please pop it into the box near reception rather than handing it over the counter.

If you do not have  the NHS app take this opportunity to sign up for this online service. 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/

We’ve have launched a new system you can use to check your symptoms and submit forms to us. It’s really simple to use, you can follow the link https://www.online-consult.co.uk/org/darwin-medical-practice.  The forms are clear and easy to understand.

You should contact us if you notice a change that isn’t normal for you or if you have a symptom that you are worried about.  If you need to get in touch, we are ready to help you safely.

You will be able to talk through your concerns on the phone or via a video consultation.  If you need to be seen it will be in a non-COVID area, the clinician will advise you on the protocol when attending.   If needed, we can arrange tests in the safest way possible.  

Parents of children who are not well please note

COVID19 is unlikely to cause a serious illness in children, but please remember children can still become seriously unwell from other causes that are always around.

Please do not let concerns over COVID19 stop you from contacting medical services.

If you are not sure if your child needs to be seen please go to https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national for advice or contact 111 or your GP. 

If your child is severely unwell call 999 or go to A&E.

Test and Trace 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTeX5Y8HhRk&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTeX5Y8HhRk&feature=youtu.be