**OCTOBER UPDATE** 

All teams are still working long hours and are still under considerable pressure. Please be patient and understanding at all times.

We are aware some patients may struggle to access services at this busy time. We are continually monitoring our phone lines and have included some tips below to help patients decide when best to contact us:

1. Mondays are always very busy. Please try to avoid this day if possible.

2. Our phones tend to be quieter on Wednesday and Thursday.

3. Our phones tend to be busy between 8-11am and are normally quieter after 2pm.

4. Please make use of e-consult and LIVI where possible. (details on our homepage)

To protect us all, patients need to continue to:

• Wear a face-covering when entering the building and when seeing a clinician*
• Telephone Reception wherever possible and not form queues at the desk
• Follow social distancing measures
• Arriving at your appointment time and not early
• Respect our staff

 * If you are clinically exempt from wearing a mask we will arrange for you to be seen in our trailer or a room accessible from outside. You will be asked to ring in and not come to the desk (unless in a medical emergency). If you have no mobile phone a Patient Advisor will be happy to speak to you outside.

Thank you for working together to keep us all safe. [last updated 10/10/2021]