FOR ALL PATIENTS

To help protect patients and staff we are asking all visitors to the practice to wear a face covering/ face mask/scarf before entering the building. Please bring one with you if you have been invited to attend for an appointment or need to visit the dispensary. Thank you for your cooperation.

Everyone will be asked to confirm that they do not have a fever or respiratory symptoms AND are not meant to be in self-isolation before they enter the surgery building. Please be patient with our staff who question you. This is for both your and their safety. If you decline to answer the questions you will be asked to leave.

We will have a zero tolerance policy for any aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff.

Face Coverings and Exemptions

The Government has confirmed that children under the age of 11, people with disabilities, hidden health conditions, breathing difficulties, mental health conditions or autism are exempt from wearing a mask. The Practice is unable to issue exemption notes, they can be found here to download with the full list of exemptions.

COVID-19 Recovery

As you find yourself recovering from Covid-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact it has had on your body and mind. Please visit www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/ to find advice on managing the effects.

COVID-19 UPDATE



Wallingford Medical Practice has taken actions to protect our patients, our staff and our community during the COVID 19 pandemic. Our aim is to significantly reduce the footfall through our surgeries in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus which may pose a significant risk to patients, especially those who are frail, elderly or have an underlying medical condition. This means there has been considerable changes to the way the surgery operates.

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

If you think that you have symptoms of COVID-19, please look at NHS 111 online at https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 This will ask you several questions and then give you advice on what to do next.

What should I do if someone in my household has symptoms of COVID-19?

Please follow the guidance given here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

Please note that this means that you should not leave your house to collect medicine or go shopping. Please arrange for someone else to do this for you. See below for local volunteer services.

My employer has requested a fit note to cover my absence, what do I do?

Please visit: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ if you have been told to self-isolate. The practice is unable to issue a fit note if you have been off work self-isolating from Coronavirus. There is no need to call the GP.

How do I make an appointment with the GP?

Please call the surgery and arrange a telephone call back or use eConsult (click on the blue box link above) to ask a question or tell a doctor about your symptoms. GP appointments will initially be on the telephone. The GP will do all they can to help you over the phone - however, should they feel the need to see you face to face for examination, you will be invited to the surgery for review. You may want to look at 111.nhs.uk to get advice to help you decide if you do need to speak to a doctor. The receptionist may ask you some questions to check whether they or another member of the team is able to answer your query. You can also use eConsult if you wish to email your doctor or a member of the admin team, request a Fit Note or send photographs of a skin complaint.

During this time we have temporarily postponed online booking.

How do I make an appointment with the nurse?

We have been advised by NHS England to cancel or postpone many routine nursing appointments. Our nurses will be undertaking some reviews of chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma over the telephone. We will also undertake contraception reviews over the telephone. Some essential appointments will continue such as blood tests for monitoring certain medications and for cancer treatments; as well as childhood immunisations and wound management. The receptionists will be able to advise when you telephone. We are now offering routine smear tests for those that are due or who missed them during the height of the pandemic.

How can I order my prescriptions?

Where possible, we request that you make requests for prescriptions using Patient Access, the NHS app or another online service or email the surgery on Wallingford.prescriptions@nhs.net. If you cannot access email or use Patient Access then please call the surgery and speak with the Dispensary Team. Patients who use our dispensary will still be able to collect their prescriptions from the surgery. Some of our local communities are getting together to be able to collect prescriptions for vulnerable people or those self-isolating, and we are able to give your medications to your representative.

Please bear in mind that all the local pharmacies are extremely busy, and teams are often working with reduced numbers as their staff may themselves need to self-isolate. Please allow plenty of time for us to process your request AND for the pharmacy to dispense it to you.

Can I order more than my normal quantity of medications so that I don't run out?

NHS England have requested that we do not issue more than the normal amount of medications to patients. This is to preserve the supply chain and to avoid stock piling which will potentially result in shortages of medication for those that need them most.

CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT

Local groups of volunteers that have set up central contact points for people to call if they need help.

Brightwell village have a central phone number for people to call if they want help 01491 826968, or email covid19bcs@outlook.com

Cholsey contact is 01491 652970 or email cholseyvolunteers@gmail.com

Wallingford volunteers is 07464 482 717 or email wallingford2020@icloud.com

Local authority services: SODC COVID-19 Community Support can be contacted on 01235 422600 or email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk

If you or someone you know has been identified as extremely vulnerable by the NHS and have nobody around to help with day to day tasks such as shopping please call 01865 897820 or email shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Anyone that is in this situation but is not considered high risk can call 01235 422600 or email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk

Easy read information about COVID-19

Please visit www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/learning-disability-service/useful-stuff/

Worried about sending your child to school if they have become unwell?

Please see the flowchart below detailing what to do