IMPORTANT NEWS. PRACTICE COVID PRECAUTIONS.

This affects the care you receive from Lockside from now until the 2nd of November

Dear Patients we have important news which affects the way Lockside is able to offer you care this week and next.

We have multiple cases of COVID infection amongst our staff.

Public Health England has mandated the Lockside team avoid all face to face contact with patients until Monday 2nd of November. Our doors will be closed and patient care will not take place in our building.

However, practice staff, doctors and nurses will all be working from home and most of our service will continue without interruption.

If you need to be seen face to face we can still arrange appointments at other local practices (who are generously helping out) or in the 'out of hours' service with different nurses or GPs.

You can still order prescriptions, talk to us over the phone and we can carry out video consultations. The Lockside pharmacy is unaffected.

Public Health England have given us their assurance that they are confident that no patients have been put at risk, thanks to our correct use of PPE.

We ask that you show patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please be reassured we are working extra hard to give our patients safe medical care.

Thank you.

In the mean time, if you need to contact us, please use our on line method, see below (this keeps our phone line free as possible).

Contacting us about a medical or administrative issue

You can contact us about a medical or administrative issue by clicking here.  This helps you to see the right person for treatment, and save you a trip to the practice if we can answer questions by phone, video call, or email. 

Answer a few short questions and we will get back to you within the working day.  If submitted after 4pm we may get back to you the following working day.  

*Do not use this for urgent requests*

Requesting a consultation

We have changed the way we work such that most patients are now managed over the telephone or by video consultations. 

Since the start of the Corona-virus pandemic we have reduced the number of people coming to the surgery. We do not know who has the COVID infection as some people have no symptoms. Patients coming to surgery could pass the virus to staff or other patients. As much as we love seeing our patients, the bottom line is we don’t want you coming to the surgery unless we have asked you to.

All requests for medical help are triaged by telephone by our clinical team.  We triage all requests the same day.

The doctor or nurse you speak to may be working from home. Doctors and nurses may be in self-isolation and phoning you from home on their personal mobile phones – you should expect calls from numbers that are withheld,

If you do need to be seen face to face please wear a mask. You may be asked to wait in our outdoor waiting area under the gazebo (please stay 2 meters away from other people) or you may be asked to wait in your car until we phone you to come in. We have separated our appointments to avoid too many people in the waiting room. If we do ask you to wait in the waiting room, YOU MUST STAY 2 METERS AWAY FROM OTHERS. 

When you see the doctor, they will be wearing a mask and gloves.

Getting advice on line

In the meantime, please look at the advice on NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk), see information on our practice website, make sure you are following the advice you have been offered, use the online services the surgery offers and limit the amount of contact you have with other people to only when essential.

We would like to encourage you to look for guidance and advice from trustworthy sources. Please use the NHS websites, the UK Government websites and the World Health Organisation website as your go-to places for information. This is where up to date guidance will be.

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

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do if you think you have this infection.

Emotional and practical support

TMBC now has a dedicated helpline 0161 342 8355 for anyone that is struggling or needs help or for anyone to call if they are worried about someone who may be vulnerable by not having the support of family, friends or neighbours.

Named GP

Every patient in our practice has a named GP. This is clearly recorded on your medical records. You can ask at any time, who your named GP is when you are dealing with the practice.

Online Access to your medical records and request repeat medication.

In order to access this service you will need to register for on line access. This is quick and simple, please telephone the practice for a PIN and to verify your identity. You will then need to download a App of your choice, or use a accredited website.  

Direct access to an expert to assess your bone, muscle or joint pain

Over the last few months, as some of our patients will know, our Reception team have been able to book people an appointment to see our 'First contact physiotherapist' when they have a joint, muscle or bone symptoms. The physio is based at Millbrook Medical Practice as they cover the whole neighbourhood. Our physio will assess you, and diagnose what is happening, give expert advice on how best to manage your condition and refer you on to specialist services if necessary. It is a great development as is freeing up GP appointments so we can see more people with other conditions.

Important - change in how you can request your repeat prescription from 23rd of MARCH 2020

You can request medication by email, using our online medication request form.  Click HERE

On-line services

Below are our online services. Requesting a repeat prescription, an appointment and accessing your medical records are only possible if you are registered for 'Online Services' (Please follow the links for information)