A special message from Modality Partnership to all patients re COVID-19 https://youtu.be/DRdFMafgQpI

Coronavirus Information

 Anyone with a new continuous cough or high temperature or loss / change in smell or taste should self-isolate for 7 days from the onset of symptoms . The entire household should self-isolate. If you are the first in the household to develop symptoms  you should self isolate for 7 days , other household members for 14 days unless they develop symptoms then they  need to isolate for further 7 days counting from the first day  they displayed symptoms.

You do not need to discuss this with the GP surgery or 111 unless your symptoms deteriorated. In that case please contact 111.

Please find official guidance here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-

Masks or face coverings

The surgery is unable to provide face masks for any face to face appointments that you may  have ; however if  you have your  own we would encourage you to wear them whilst attending the surgery .

Join a COVID-19 clinical trial

The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if

• You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
• a continuous new or worsening cough
• a high temperature
• You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
• You are aged 65 and above

Find out more about Covid -19 trial www.principletrial.org

Your East Grinstead GP is still open for business. Please do not neglect your important health needs and concerns during the current COVID-19 situation.

Patients will be offered a phone or video consultation initially. Should you need to attend your GP Practice we are taking care to make your visit as risk free as possible with stringent infection control procedures including waiting in your car if you arrive by car, prior to your assessment. As there are fewer ‘face-to-face’ appointments we are able to maintain social distancing within the waiting areas. Please contact your GP Practice by telephone. Please make use of 111 and your local pharmacy for simple illnesses of which hay fever is increasingly common at this time of year.

Potential COVID 19 Cases

All of  the GP practices that serve East Grinstead have come together as a  joint ‘hot hub’ for suspected COVID-19 cases based at the EG Health Centre (next door to Moatfield surgery).

 NHS 111 may refer people with suspected COVD-19 who  will have an initial assessment in a drive through tent and where further treatment is needed will be seen inside the health centre.  You cannot attend the hub without an appointment.

There are barriers at the site (loaned by the Town Council) to help  stream people waiting for prescriptions,  or going to different parts of the site. The barriers are there for everyone’s safety so please follow signage as directed.

Important message for parents  

“At this challenging time, it is extremely important for you to know that COVID-19 is unlikely to make your child unwell, but they like everyone else might be infectious so staying at home when well remains the message. However, all the ‘normal’ illnesses that can make children severely unwell still remain and there is a major risk that parents may delay bringing their child to the attention of a healthcare professionals even if they are unwell because of concerns about COVID-19. GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done for children. If you are not sure if your child is unwell and whether they need to be seen, click here https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national ,call 111 or contact your GP. If your child appears severely unwell and advice is not quickly available call 999 or take them to ED as you would in other times.”

Changes to Appointments at the Practice

In line with national advice, we are trying to reduce footfall in the practice this helps prevent the spread of the virus. This benefits staff and patients. The following changes have been implemented to keep our patients safe.

1. All GP appointments will be converted to telephone triage calls; please do not attend the practice if you have a pre-booked appointment. The clinician will call you and if you need to be seen they will arrange a time and place for you to attend.
2. Nursing appointments will be changing, we will be ceasing the following procedures for the time being; spirometry, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, coils, hormonal contraceptive implants, minor operations and routine annual blood tests for those who are well.
3. Nursing appointments will continue at this time for; all wound management, stitch removal, INR clinics, vitamin B12 injections, zoladex injections, densoumab injections, child immunisations, baby checks, cervical screening and clinically indicated urgent blood tests for those undergoing treatment for serious conditions.
4. Asthma, Diabetes and COPD reviews will be conducted over the telephone with patients.

 Further advice and guidance is available on the NHS website here:

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

Please be patient with us during this very difficult period, by working together and following the available guidance we will get through this.

https://modalitypartnership.nhs.uk/about-us