** FOR LATEST CORONA VIRUS INFORMATION CLICK HERE**

How we are adapting our way of working

23^rd March 2020

Due to the Covid-19 situation Voyager Family Health are bringing in special measures to try and protect our patients and staff, whilst also making sure that patients who need to be seen by a clinician are able to do so.

As you will be aware, this is a constantly changing situation and we will endeavour to post all of our latest updates here on the website.

From Monday 23^rd March 2020, all routine appointments will be suspended. The surgery will be running on a ‘Total Triage’ system. We would like to strongly recommend the use of eConsult – further details can be found on the home page of our website. All eConsults will be answered in order of urgency and we will have several GPs working on this service at any one time.

If you are unable to access eConsult, please telephone the surgery and you will be asked by a member of our Patient Services team a number of screening questions as to why you are calling and if appropriate, you will be booked in to speak to a clinician.
Patients will be dealt with via telephone, eConsult or video call (where necessary).

Access to the surgery premises or another local surgery will only be if you have been asked to do so and there will be clear arrangements discussed with you as to how we can safely do this
It is very important that you listen and make note of when and where you are told to come.

You should only visit a surgery if you are told to do so by a clinician and it is very important that you come alone (unless bringing a child or you are the carer of the patient attending for the appointment). You should also aim to arrive as close to your appointment time as possible to avoid sitting in our waiting areas for any longer than needed. After checking in at reception you may wait outside or in your car to be called if preferred.

All prescriptions are being converted to our electronic prescription service which means it is not necessary to attend the practice to pick up your prescriptions. If you are affected by this, we will be contacting you personally. All prescription requests should be made online or by emailing them to nehfccg.VoyagerFH.scripts@nhs.net

Essential routine appointments will go ahead, however the timing of these appointments will not be negotiable and you will be given a time and place to attend. These essential appointments include but are not limited to, Child Immunisations, Postnatal checks, management of cancer diagnosis and treatment, INR testing, wound dressings and urgent blood tests. Please speak to reception if you are unsure.

We appreciate that you may be feeling anxious and frustrated by the disruption to services, but please bear in mind that our reception team and clinicians are working in an extremely challenging environment and are working above and beyond to ensure that the patients in the most need are looked after and kept safe.

Your understanding and patience is much appreciated.

To review/download our COVID-19 patient letter, click here

You can complete a self-isolation form which can be given to your employers via: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

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The Surgery will not be providing GP letters as proof of a medical condition in order to self-isolate or for employers.  You can access your medical records via the NHS app or EMIS Access.

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We are all doing our best to help you during these unchartered times and are working as hard as we can.  We adopt a zero tolerance approach and will not be subject to any abuse.