**CORONAVIRUS**- NO ENTRY TO SURGERY UNLESS YOU HAVE A FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENT WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN TELEPHONE TRIAGED FOR ON THE DAY.
Coronavirus Latest (last updated 26.05.2020)
Dear All
WE ARE OPEN. Our phone lines are open and manned for queries and bookings and we remain fully staffed but we need to protect staff and vulnerable patients so DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN TELEPHONE TRIAGED FOR ON THE SAME DAY.
The Upstairs Surgery team are ready, committed and fully prepped to help all our patients during this time but we need your help.
Contacting us by phone
Please be sensible and call at less busy times for general enquiries and prescription requests so urgent calls are not delayed. Please also think, is your call important or can you get the information somewhere else e.g. online.
Contacting us by email
Please use theupstairssurgery@nhs.net for enquiries and queries.
Follow us on Twitter
We are now on twitter, follow us @SurgeryUpstairs for the latest news, updates and information.
Using E-consults
Please use the e-consults on this website's homepage for help, requesting medication certificates and advice.
Actions
Share this message far and wide with family, friends and others who are patients.
SIGN UP FOR ONLINE SERVICES by contacting a member of our reception team on 0208 5971840 or email theupstairssurgery@nhs.net who will then send you the online registration form which you will need to complete and send back with a CLEAR photo of yourself holding your passport photo page open or driving license next to your face.
Alternatively sign up for the nhs app
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/
You can then request your medication online and book appointments (note appointment booking is temporarily suspended).
Requesting medications
Again sign up to online services or the NHS app and request medications online, stating your preferred pharmacy. Otherwise email your request to theupstairssurgery@nhs.net or call reception on 0208 5971840. IT IS MANDATORY TO NOMINATE A PHARMACY FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION TO BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PHARMACY PLEASE CONTACT MEMBER OF OUR TEAM VIA PHONE OR EMAIL TO NOMINATE.
Collecting Prescriptions/referrals/blood forms/medical certificates etc.
Your referrals or blood forms or medical certificates will be texted or emailed to you. If you don’t have a mobile or email we will post them. Please ensure we have your correct mobile number. Please sign up to online services so we have your verified email- see above.
Appointments
Until further notice the majority of routine face to face appointments have been suspended. See below for list of limited appointments patients must still attend face to face. If you have a health need that you need to speak to a GP or Nurse about you can call on the day at 8.00am to book a telephone triage consultation.
You can also use e-consults on our homepage for self-help, requesting medication certificates and advice.
Limited appointments include 6-8 week postnatal check, limited nursing procedures (child immunisations, contraception injections, other immunisations, wound care) will be going ahead subject to triage (via text questionnaire or telephone call)
If you have a face to face appointment booked you will either receive a telephone call or receive a text with a link to a Covid-19 questionnaire. This is not a hoax. All patients must be assessed for Covid-19 symptoms before attending surgery. Please complete and submit. Again do not come to the surgery if you have symptoms.
If you have a fever or cough and are otherwise well do not call GP or 111 and stay at home for 7 days. If you are unwell and getting worse then call 111. DO NOT visit the surgery.
Attending Appointments
Please knock on the reception door and wait to be greeted by a member of reception team.
Stand behind the barrier when in reception front desk area.
Please sit at least 2 meters away from other patients, abide by social distancing signs.
Please do not arrive too early as this could cause a bottleneck at reception
Please do not bring multiple family members to the appointment. If you can, come alone or with one primary carer.
Please wash your hands before and after the visit and use tissues to catch any sneezes/coughs
Blood Tests
From Monday 30th March 2020 blood tests are available by appointment only at the certain sites:
Barking Community Hospital - Monday-Friday 7.00am - 2.45pm
Chadwell Heath Health Centre - Monday - Friday 08.45am - 12.45pm
1.30pm - 3.15pm
To book an appointment phone: 0300 3001704 (during office hours)
By working together and taking individual responsibility we will overcome this. Please follow the guidance, stay safe and look out for those who are vulnerable.
CORONAVIRUS- General advice
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
What to do if you have symptoms
Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:
· a high temperature
· a new continuous cough
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Read the advice about 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 7 days
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.
Extremely Vulnerable Patient
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Patients at High Risk
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-people-at-high-risk/
Self-Isolating Advice
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
Getting an Isolate Note
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
Community Help
If you or someone you know needs help with anything such as shopping or collecting medication. Please click on the below links for Havering or Barking & Dagenham boroughs to see what help is available.
https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/let-us-know-if-you-need-help-or-support
https://www.havering.gov.uk/covid19
Mental Health Support
Our Practice
Our partners operate within the new GMS contract. Our aim is to provide a high standard of quality medical care and we need your co-operation in order to achieve this.
This website is designed to tell you about your Practice and how to get the best from our range of services. We aim to provide personal family doctoring whilst working together as part of Primary Health Care Team.
We have 2 GP Partners, 3 Practice Nurses and a great team of managment, administration and receptionists who work alongside together to provide effective, efficient and educational care to patients.
Mission Statement
Our aim is to provide the best possible clinical care from our team of clinical, managerial, administrative and reception staff to give a high quality, courteous, efficient and friendly service.