DR DENIS WHITE O.B.E.

ALL STAFF PAST AND PRESENT, AT THE HILL MEDICAL GROUP WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THEIR PROFOUND SADNESS AT THE PASSING OF THEIR FORMER COLLEAGUE DR DENIS WHITE.

HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY COLLEAGUES AND PATIENTS ALIKE.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.

COVID 19 VACCINE PROGRAMME

Vaccination is the most important thing you can do to protect your community against serious illnesses. When enough people get vaccinated, it’s harder for a disease to spread to those who can’t have vaccines.

We know many people are interested in the COVID-19 vaccination and want to assure you that we are working through a priority list set by the Department of Health. Please do not contact your GP about getting the vaccine. We will contact patients in order of priority.

When the programme is rolled out, due to the intense workload we will have to scale back some of our services. THE SURGERY WILL OPERATE CORE SERVICES ONLY SO WE ASK THAT YOU ARE PATIENT WITH OUR STAFF.

We will continue to provide prescriptions as normal so please do not order medications early.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

WE MAY DIRECT OUR PHONE LINES TO AN EMERGENCY SERVICE ONLY LINE FOR PERIODS OF TIME DURING THE DAY

Due to the current COVID19 situation we are having to adapt how we provide our services in the surgery for the safety of our patients and staff. This is a dynamic process and will continue to evolve as the situation changes. It is important that patients continue to monitor our website to ensure they are aware of any changes to the services we provide, especially how to access them.

From Monday 11th May the following changes will be made

Telephone calls - patients will be able to telephone and speak to a doctor between 8.30am -9.30am

Appointments- patients can ring and book a telephone consultation instead of a face to face appointment. They will be given a 1-2 hour time slot when the doctor will ring. It is important that they ensure that they are available during the time allocated as the doctor will only telephone once.

Visits to the surgery- a doctor will only arrange for a patient to attend the surgery if it is absolutely necessary and will change the management of their condition.

Treatment room- There is no current walk-in service and appointments must be booked by the GP or nurse only.

If you have been asked to attend for an appointment

PLEASE ATTEND ALONE, only one person will be admitted to the practice. (The only exception to this is children or adults requiring assistance)

Try not to come too early for your appointment as there is no waiting room facility at present.

Bring and wear a face covering

Housecalls- a doctor will telephone first and only visit if it is absolutely necessary.

Prescription Requests- these will continue to be issued. Please telephone between 9.30am and 3.00pm. We would encourage patients to sign up for the Patients online prescribing service and also nominate a pharmacy to collect their prescription. (Application forms under the prescriptions tab)

Please allow 48-72 hours for your prescription to be processed.

Childhood immunisations- these are continuing as usual with booked appointments.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL THAT PATIENTS DO NOT ATTEND THE SURGERY UNLESS AN APPOINTMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ARRANGED. ALSO PATIENTS MUST NOT ATTEND IF THE DEVELOP A FEVER OR RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.

Face Coverings: In Northern Ireland it is recommended that you should think about using a face covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing may not be possible. THERE IS NO NEED TO GET A LETTER FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR GOVERNMENT TO SHOW THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING. If you have a condition which means you cannot wear a covering you only need to say, if asked. Patient may also wish to print a card or badge available on UK government website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

NHS 111

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Public Health Agency Website

https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus

ASTHMA UK

https://www.asthma.org.uk/

VERSUS ARTHRITIS

https://www.versusarthritis.org/

For information about self certifying from work, please visit NI Direct using the link below:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/apply-statutory-sick-pay

For information on further sicklines relating to COVID-19, please visit the link below:

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/