Important message for our patients-Face coverings
Important message for our patients-Face coverings
In accordance with the new guidance issued by the government this week, we are now asking all our patients to wear a face covering if you come to the surgery for an appointment or for any other reason.
This will protect other patients in the waiting area and our staff. All our staff with continue to wear PPE including surgical masks for all patient face to face appointments.
The new advice on the use of face coverings by the Government is as follows:
People should aim to wear face coverings on public transport and in some shops from 24th July 2020.
Also in other “enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet”
“Social distancing” means staying more than two metres away from someone
We feel that the practice cannot always ensure social distancing of 2 metres so therefore we must ask all our patients to wear a face covering as they come in through the door. Face coverings should be worn and not surgical masks or respirators which should be left for healthcare staff and other workers who need them
The government advises washing your hands or using hand sanitiser before putting on and after taking off face coverings
Whichever face covering you use, they are not a substitute for other lockdown rules. Hand hygiene especially is just as important as before – so washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds when you get home.
For information on how to make your own facemask please follow the link below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52609777
Important information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS across Suffolk will be better prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases, if the public follows Public Health England advice.
The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff which may mean your patient experience is subject to change.
The Chief Medical Officer announced on Friday 13th March that the country is moving into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus (Covid-19).
The new advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer-
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or a hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 14 days
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Stay At Home advice can be found here.
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.
Information remains subject to regular change and updates. More information can be found on the NHS website here.
Antibody Testing
Unfortunately our local laboratories are NOT currently set up to accommodate Covid-19 Antibody testing, and our Local CCG are actively looking for ways in which we can make this service available in our area. Therefore, we are NOT currently able to offer Covid-19 Antibody testing to our patients so please DO NOT contact the practice regarding this matter.
Changes to the Surgery
Due to infection control measures in regards to the Coronavirus, we now have a reception desk in the upstairs lobby where you will be asked the above questions in regards to your symptoms and exposure history.
The doors that can be accessed from the main street are NOT to be used, this is for the safety of our patients and staff to prevent spread of infection.
The downstairs entrance accessed via the car park must only be used by patients that require to access the lift or pick up medications.
Please do not come to the surgery without a booked appointment.
All patients with pre-booked appointments for the nurses/HCA’s will be asked to contact the surgery prior to their appointment if they have any cold/flu like symptoms.
All GP/allied health professional appointments have telephone triage initially.
Do not come early to appointments if possible.
Do not bring other people to accompany where possible.
We appreciate your support and cooperation at this time, and want to ensure you that we are taking every possible measure to minimise risk for our patients and staff.
Yoxford Surgery
Yoxford Branch Surgery is now closed on a Monday and Wednesday due to Coronavirus.
Yoxford Surgery will be open on Fridays as usual.
If you have any questions regarding the collection of your medication, please contact Leiston Surgery.
Thank you for your support.
Westleton Post Office
Please be aware that Westleton Post Office will only be receiving medication deliveries on a Wednesday.
Please bear this in mind when ordering medications in the future.
COVID-19 - Staffing
Due to the new guidance on self isolation the surgery is experiencing significant loss of clinical and non clinical capacity. We ask all our patients to be understanding that we may not be able to respond to routine enquiries as quickly as you may be used to. There is a list on the 'services' section of our website of procedures we currently can still provide. This will be updated as capacity changes.
We are asking the people of Leiston to contact the practice manager at - sarahmclennan@nhs.net if they have any up to date skills that might be helpful to us. This might include nurses, health care assistants, phlebotomists, medical students, dispensers, receptionists. We will be needing short term paid help in the very near future.
Welcome to The Leiston Surgery
At Leiston Surgery we are very proud of the service we provide. We aim to practice modern, high quality, patient driven and innovative care and we believe that all patients have a right to equal access to medical care.
We regularly review how our services are delivered and are always looking for ways we can improve.
About Us
The practice has a strong interest in medical education being an accredited centre for training GP registrars, as well as retraining of doctors in difficulty, and undertaking a rolling training programme for medical students from Cambridge and East Anglia Universities.
The practice also has a dispensary and is eligible under the rules to dispense to 34% of its patients.
The surgery works closely with the patient participation group to identify possible community services that could be bought to Leiston to benefit the surrounding areas.
We regularly review how our services are delivered and are always looking for ways we can improve. Currently we reviewing the recall system for chronic disease management and we hope to pilot this scheme in the up and coming months.
One of the GP partners has an active involvement in the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the practice is keen to develop opportunities to work collaboratively with other practices to provide innovative services to benefit the patients and the business
(Site updated 06/08/2020)