COVID-19: Support and Advice
As a practice, we wanted to let you know that we are still here, able and willing to support you and provide services for your on-going or developing medical needs.
Click on the relevant link below for further advice.
IMPORTANT - Covid-19 Update
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the practice has implemented several changes as detailed below. These will be in effect until further notice.
- All GP or ANP appointments will be by TELEPHONE or VIDEO CALL only. These appointments can be booked by ringing up the practice or via our online services
- For any patients who cannot be treated via telephone or video call, the GP / ANP will arrange to see you face to face.
- NURSE / HEALTHCARE appointments will be continuing with priority for urgent blood tests, child immunisations, urgent contraceptive injections, other urgent chronic disease reviews and cervical screening. Other routine chronic disease reviews and smoking cessation support will be done via telephone or video. This will be reviewed regularly, as guidelines change.
- All face to face appointments will be held at Horton Park Health Centre with entry via a SEPARATE ENTRANCE AT THE BACK. There are external signs signposting the back entrance where you will be met by the Clinician. The Clinician will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the consultation. You will be offered Personal Protective Equipment and hand sanitiser before you enter. This back entrance is for booked face to face appointments only.
- All prescriptions will be sent ELECTRONICALLY wherever possible. When this is not possible, prescriptions will need to be collected from the main entrance. This will be locked, but please buzz for the Receptionist to answer.
- We will not be issuing medication earlier than it is due - there is no risk of the practice or the pharmacy closing, so there is no need to stockpile medication.
- If you have not already informed us of an up to date mobile phone number or email address, please do so. This will help us to help you keep you up to date.
Covid-19 Help Agencies Directory
If you need any support during the Covid-19 Pandemic we have compiled a list of useful agencies that you can contact for any wellbeing issues you may have. We will continue to update these lists as needed. Please click the links below for further information;
Help Agencies Directory
Bradford Council Coronavirus (COVID-19) support
Bradford council are running a dedicated service to provide help for the most vulnerable people during the current COVID-19 emergency. Please see link below which also includes services to help with shopping and food.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) support for vulnerable people
Coronavirus help page for people with learning disabilities
Staying at home and shielding
Coronavirus (Covid-19) advice and information
Is English not your first language?
NHS Coronavirus Guidelines have been translated into 50 languages. For information in leaflet form in another language please follow this link
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
eRD information for patients
In response to coronavirus (COVID-19), GPs and pharmacies are moving suitable patients to electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). You might be suitable for eRD if you get regular or repeat medicines that don't change. eRD means your GP can send your regular or repeat prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy of your choice. You can then collect your medication from your pharmacy, or ask them to deliver it to your home.
Click here for more information on electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)
COVID-19: GP practice Hubs
Four GP hubs will manage the urgent primary medical needs of patients who have possible symptoms of coronavirus, or are self-isolating as part of a household. They will look after you if you have any medical problem that does not require treatment at a hospital and would normally be provided by your own family doctor (GP).
Click here for more information regarding the COVID-19: GP Practice hubs
Are you Shielding?
The guidance will be changing soon. You will be receiving a written letter explaining the new guidance, but a summary is below:-
Shielding guidance will be relaxed in stages, subject to clinical evidence:
From 6 July: the guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable will be relaxed to allow shielded individuals to meet up to 5 people from other households outdoors, socially distanced, and to form support bubbles if they live alone or are a lone adult with a dependent under 18.
From 1 August: the clinically extremely vulnerable can stop shielding. The guidance will be updated to allow this cohort to go to the shops and places of worship, while following current social distancing rules.
The food and medicine boxes facilitated by the National Shielding Service will stop as of 1 August as individuals are advised they can visit shops and pharmacies. However, other forms of support – such as priority supermarket delivery slots and the NHS Volunteers Scheme, amongst a range of local volunteer schemes – will continue. If an individual is concerned about support after 1 August, they should contact their local authority.
The categorisation of ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ will remain in place indefinitely and people in this cohort should continue to follow the guidance specific to them, available here. This is because community transmission and the R number will continue to be closely monitored and the government will tighten advice to this cohort as needed.
Shielding guidance has been and continues to be advisory.
- Everybody in the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ categorisation will be written to from today outlining these steps.