COVID-19 – Important Information

The NHS, including Jubilee Street Practice, are facing huge demand this winter. To help us to help as many of you as possible, we are asking that anyone with internet access contacts us online. It is essential that our phone lines are kept as free as possible for emergencies and the elderly and vulnerable, who really cannot use online services. In November, we moved to our new booking system and to using e-consult as our preferred contact method. Currently we are still receiving:

• Approx. 2,000 calls a week (425 a day)
• And only approx. 500 e-Consults a week (100 a day)

Some benefits of using e-consult:

• Increased efficiency and time saving on administration so we can help more patients each day
• Improved information gathering so we can get you booked with the right person at the right time
• Saves you waiting in a phone queue of up to an hour!

So next time you need our help, PLEASE CONTACT US ONLINE

Be a health care hero - wear a mask and socially distance – we know the guidance is changing and we will be mixing more, however, we would remind you that any health care setting requires a mask or face covering to be worn. Please be aware that if you are visiting the practice and are not wearing a face mask we will continue to remind you to wear one. Thank you to all of our patients and visitors who continue to keep us and our patients safe, especially those that are vulnerable by following the government guidelines of wearing face masks, social distancing and using hand gels when visiting your GP surgery. Although we are encouraging all our patients to only come in to the surgery where necessary, we still have patients attending appointments and by following the infection control guidelines we are able to safely provide essential health care services to you all and remain open despite rising cases of COVID. To read more about this on the NHS England’s website please click here Thank you for helping keep us, all our patients, and our community safe. With your help, we want to continue providing a high standard of care throughout what is likely to be a very tough winter.

Due to unprecedented workload and the need to prioritise care for clinical conditions, we are sorry but we do not have the capacity to assess applications for medical exemption for Covid Passes.

There is comprehensive information, guidance, and answers to questions at COVID-19 Vaccination programme | East London Health & Care Partnership (eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk) Getting the help you need The NHS in London is very busy as coronavirus infection rates continue to be high, but we’ll help you get urgent care when you need it. Most consultations are over the phone and via video. This is for everyone's safety. We will assess your situation and invite you into the practice if needed. We can arrange same-day appointments if you need urgent care but please don't visit without an appointment. Appointments will be held in the best way to keep you safe from Covid. You can also contact 111, day or night, for other urgent health advice - including if you have concerns about your Covid-19 symptoms. Please remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies. Please help reduce infections, protect the NHS and keep each other safe by following the latest rules.

Please follow the government guidelines and do not come into the surgery, and make use of our online services or contact us by telephone. If you are asked to come in, or have no access to any of the above means of contact then to help protect our patients and our staff we are asking that you attend alone or with no more than one other person to help you. On arrival you will be asked to speak to a member of staff through an internal window so that we can direct you most appropriately. Help us to help you, stay home and if you need non Covid -19 related medical advice contact us using our online consultation form by clicking here. Jubilee Street practice is closely following guidance from the government and the Royal college of General Practioners (RCGP).

The latest information on Coronavirus infection can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

• In line with current advice, if you develop a new, continuous cough OR a fever, you and your household must self-isolate according to government guidance.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

• There is no need to contact your GP for a certificate to cover this period, 111 can arrange this for you. Please click here for an isolation note.
• If you feel unable to manage your symptoms at home, or you are becoming more unwell, please contact us in the first instance, if however we are closed then contact 111

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. (https://111.nhs.uk/) Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands. Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.??Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Following advice from NHS England, Jubilee Street Practice are encouraging patients to use online consultations and prescription ordering services where possible. Use of online services reduces non-essential visits to the practice which can help prevent and delay the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), protecting our patients and staff. For the safety of our patients and staff, we will be asking you at every point of contact if you have any of the potential coronavirus symptoms.

Minimising non-urgent visits to the practice – Wherever possible we are asking patients to order their repeat medicines using the NHS App which can be downloaded here . Please also nominate a pharmacy to receive your prescription electronically instead of coming to reception to collect. If a pharmacy is not nominated, we will send your prescription to the pharmacy closest to your regular address. Please be aware that pharmacies are facing huge demand and there may be a limit on the number of people allowed into the pharmacy at one time; please try to adhere to social distancing guidance when collecting your script. For patients who are unable to order online, we have a request box in the entrance to the surgery.

Script Durations – We are complying with advice NOT to extend the length of prescriptions. Stockpiling will worsen existing medicines shortages and put pharmacies under more pressure at this difficult time. Usual prescription quantities will be issued electronically. If you are self-isolating we would recommend asking a low risk friend or family member to collect on your behalf. Many pharmacies are also able to offer a delivery service – if you are self-isolating, please let them know so that they make appropriate arrangements for delivery.

We know that this is a worrying time for many of our patients but sticking to the above guidance will help us to support our community and keep us safe.

A national research study designed to find out who is most at risk of COVID-19, and what can prevent it.

the study is being led by Queen Mary University of London, in partnership with colleagues at KCL, Edinburgh University, Swansea University and Queen’s University Belfast. More information is available at www.qmul.ac.uk/covidence.

We know that many of you will be worried about the risk from coronavirus to yourself or to loved ones. If you have an existing condition you should follow the information relevant to your condition at the websites below. Everyone should also follow the government's advice on social distancing

Asthma
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

Diabetes
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

CF
https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-qa

Cardiovascular
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health

Respiratory conditions (COPD)
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/people-living-with-lung-condition

MS
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms

Rheumatoid arthritis
https://www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far

Blood cancers
https://bloodwise.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-and-blood-cancer

HIV
https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19

If you have a temperature (above 37.8 degrees) or a new cough please self-isolate at home. If you are more unwell please call 111 who are coordinating all treatment of suspected coronavirus.

For more information and certificate please CLICK HERE.