COVID-19
To all our Patients
We are putting on extra covid booster clinics to run along side our normal surgeries for the next few weeks.
This is crucial work and we're only seeing emergencies so we can staff this effort.
Please bear with us, book your booster and feedback to us via the PPG link at the bottom of this page.
Stay safe this festive period.
Thank you
Dr Cheng and Partners
We are only able to accept contactless payments for prescriptions currently. Thank you for your understanding at this time
To all our Patients,
We are all concerned about the effect of the Omicron virus and are aware of the warnings from the Prime Minister. As per Government advice, we are currently prioritising the patients who are in most need of medical help. By only ringing the surgery when it is essential, we can respond to our patients with the highest need more efficiently.
It is important that you continue to put your health first so please continue to seek urgent medical help when you need it.
The call to support delivery of the new booster campaign makes it impossible for us to maintain all normal services. If you need routine care and your condition is stable, we may need ask you to wait longer than usual to arrange an appointment.
If you already have an appointment, there are no changes at the current time so please attend as normal.
We realise that it is frustrating to have to wait longer than usual for routine appointments and reviews, but we ask for your patience and understanding when contacting the surgery.
Before contacting the practice, please do consider self-help and pharmacy options such as these
· The NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/
· 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/
· Mental health support: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/your-mind-plan-quiz/
· Find a pharmacy: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
· Advice for parents of children and young people https://what0-18.nhs.uk/
Covid-19 Boosters If you want to book or need advice regarding your 1st, 2nd or booster Covid-19 vaccine. Contact the National Booking Service via www.nhs.uk or ring 119 Please do not contact the surgery We do not have access to the Covid-19 booster booking system
Help us to keep you all safe and well by keeping our phone lines free for those who need urgent medical help.
Thank you,
Dr Cheng and Partners
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The delta variant of Covid confused some of us and now we've got omicron set to take over.
Symptoms can include some that we're not used to:
Runny nose, earache and headache
It sometimes causes a sore throat, tummy ache, diarrhoea and vomiting. Official advice has not been updated. It is up to us to stay aware and be safe.
If you have new viral symptoms, you need to get a PCR test (call 119):
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Lateral flow tests are the best mass produced cheap test we have.
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These are NOT accurate enough for anyone with symptoms of coronavirus.
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If you have any symptoms you need a PCR test (call 119)
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If this is negative this could be a problem with the test and you still might have COVID.
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If you feel really poorly, call us or 119.
The reception remains closed for the safety of patients and staff. We will greet you at the window and will help with all your enquiries. Often email is more effective downton.surgery@nhs.net
Guidelines for Appointments
Your consultation can now be a video consultation. This can happen through your smartphone.
Doctor Appointments
Contact is reduced to a minimum for everyone's safety. We offer telephone appointments, with face to face appointments by invitation only.
Nurse and Health Care Assistant Appointments
We are only providing essential services which include :
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Dressings and removal of sutures
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Leg ulcers
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Very limited blood tests
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All immunisations and holiday vaccinations
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Hormone injections (eg Zoladex & Prostap)
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Depot injections
Prescriptions and Ordering Medicines
Please continue to order through the existing routes : Postbox , Online Access or email but note that we are unable to take prescription requests over the telephone.
Please allow 5 days for your prescription to be prepared given that we are likely to encounter staffing shortages and much high demand.
If you are self isolating and are unable to collect your medication please arrange for it to be collected by a relative or friend. If this is not possible we may be able to offer a home delivery service to patients that are housebound. Please contact us if you would like information about this service.
If you would like to register for the online prescription service, we accept registrations via email. Please send your name, date of birth, address and a scanned copy of your driving licence or passport to downton.surgery@nhs.net and ask to be registered for the online prescription service. You will be emailed your logon details and password.
Physiotherapy Appointments
Only urgent appointments will be seen. You will be contacted if your appointment has to be cancelled.
IAPT Appointments
Face to face appointments at the surgery have been changed to remote (by telephone or video call).
Midwife Appointments
These appointments can sadly no longer be at the surgery (we've run out of clinical space). Your midwife team can be contacted via the hospital for up to date information.
Social Prescriber
We would like to encourage you to help your neighbours who may be self isolating or any members of the community who are housebound and/or over the age of 70 who have been advised to remain indoors. You may find the attached a good way to offer your help to those in need.
Alternatively, please leave a message for Carol Baker our Social Prescriber, who will be happy to try and help you or signpost you to someone that can. Please note she will be working alternate weeks so may take up to 10 days to respond to your enquiry.
Please continue to monitor both the national and local news as this is a fast changing situation. We will endeavour to provide a service for as long as we are able whilst keeping everybody safe.
Thank you for your understanding,
The Downton Surgery Team.