**PATIENT UPDATE** NATIONAL LOCKDOWN 5TH JANUARY 2021

 If your issue is an emergency or life threatening please call 999 – this is the same advice we would always give

·         Any patients with symptoms of Coronavirus should contact NHS 119 – Not the Medical Centre - DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE A COUGH, TEMPERATURE OR CHANGE IN SENSE OF TASTE OR SMELL

·         All URGENT medical concerns will be dealt with – as they have been since the beginning of the Pandemic

·         ALL requests to see a GP/Nurse Practitioner face to face will be triaged over the phone first.  Please do not insist that the Patient Advisor books you in – the clinician concerned needs to make this decision

·         Some routine tests and reviews will be deferred until further notice

·         Patient numbers will be strictly limited to protect everyone in the building

·         For minor injuries please ring NHS 111

·         Routine issues, including sick notes, can be dealt with via E-Consult

·         Routine issues can be dealt with via LIVI

·         Shingles/Pneumonia vaccinations – more information to follow

·         Respiratory reviews (Asthma/COPD) are still not being done face to face.  A telephone consultation can be arranged if you have any concerns

·         The Dispensary is extremely busy at present, particularly the phone line.  If your request is of a routine nature please email kccg.repeatslaunceston@nhs.net Please note NO medication requests can be taken over the phone. For queries please listen to the phone messages carefully and pick the correct option. Reception cannot help with your medication issues

·         We do not deal with dental issues.  If you have already been seen by a Dentist and need additional medication please contact them.  They are responsible for your continued dental care

·         If you are unsure what to do and need advice – please ring Reception– our Patient Advisors are here to help and are highly trained to signpost you appropriately

·         Please be considerate to the staff at the Medical Centre.  They have been working continually throughout the Pandemic to ensure we can offer the best service to our patients in extremely challenging times

 Thank you very much to the many patients who have shown their appreciation over the past 10 months and for the continued support from local businesses and our PPG.  This has been very gratefully received by the Team.

[last updated 05/01/2021]