Bernaghmore Practice News

•  Stay at home
• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
• Stay 2 meters (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

GETTING ADVICE / APPOINTMENT

• No patient should call to the reception desk regarding medical queries or symptoms • We understand telephone access is extremely difficult at this time. Please keep trying, we will answer. We are open from 8.30am-6pm, closed Wed from 1pm • We will update this page daily

• Think you might have Coronavirus? Follow up to date advice from the government and public health websites:

gov.uk

Public Health Agency Northern Ireland

See our summary of this advice below

• If you need advice or wish to see a GP or nurse about other medical problems unrelated to Coronavirus, please telephone the surgery to arrange a telephone consultation or to book an appointment.

• Patients who are being asked to practice social distancing will be seen exclusively from 9-10am. This includes people over 70 years, pregnant ladies and anyone who is invited for the annual flu vaccination. This allows patients in the higher risk groups to be seen whilst keeping infection risk to a minimum.

GETTING YOUR PRESCRIPTION

• The practice has had to reduce all non-essential foot-fall to a minimum to reduce spread of Coronavirus and to protect vulnerable patients and staff

• All prescriptions will be sent to the pharmacy, please allow an INCREASED TURN AROUND TIME OF 2-3 DAYS as advised by our pharmacy staff

• Urgent prescriptions, only at the GP’s discretion, may be faxed on the same day

• Please do not allow your medications to run out – this will not be considered an emergency

• Do not come to reception to collect prescriptions unless arranged with the GP

CORONAVIRUS SUMMARY OF ADVICE

Anyone with symptoms of Coronavirus :

• a new continuous cough and/or • a fever

However mild, you should stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.

• If you have mild symptoms, you do not need to be tested. Please do not contact or go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

• If your symptoms worsen during your home isolation or you are no better after seven days, seek medical advice by telephoning NHS 111

• If you have an underlying health condition and develop symptoms do let your GP know.

• Please only call 999 if it’s an emergency

Social Isolation

• If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

What is social distancing?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). They are:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough

2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible

3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information

4. Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs

5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media

6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic