Oakfield Street Surgery statement 24/3/20
Thank you to everyone who is following the stay at home advice issued by the Government 23/3/20 to save life and protect the NHS : https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Everyone must now stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading.
This includes people of all ages - even if you do not have any other symptoms or health conditions.
You can only leave your home:
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To shop for Basic essentials – only when you really need to
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To do one form of exercise a day – such as a run walk or cycle, alone or with the other people you live with
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For any medical need – for example to attend an essential medical appointment, visit pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
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To travel to and from work – but only when absolutely necessary
We want to reassure you all that we are committed to delivering ongoing medical care in the weeks and months ahead. We have set up systems to enable to remote assessment via telephone and anticipate to be able to carry out video consultations in the very near future.
Prescription requests should continue to be ordered remotely (online or if unable access via telephone) and sent directly to local pharmacies. The surgery and pharmacies are dealing with an immense volume of prescription requests at present. Your prescriptions will be processed but please allow several days where possible and avoid phoning to check when it will be ready for collection unless urgently needed. We will continue to automatically flag more urgent prescriptions to the pharmacists when they are issued.
We are experiencing a particularly high number of requests for rescue packs of steroids and antibiotics from patients with respiratory conditions at present. Unless this is already part of your management plan you do not need to be prescribed a rescue pack to take now as a precaution or to keep at home just in case. If you have developed symptoms and feel you may need steroids/antibiotics please contact the surgery and a Clinician will assess you. This is to ensure patients still receive appropriate clinical assessment and avoids potential disruption to the supply of medicines.
We have put together a list of useful links below for information on Government/NHS advice along with information for specific patient groups and employment/benefits.
Please stay home and stay safe. We will be there for you but we need your help to protect our NHS.
Oakfield Street Surgery Partners
Covid19 Resources For Patients
General Advice
Stay at home information
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Online Self-Assessment of Symptoms (111)
https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Hand Washing Technique Advice (NHS)
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
Stay At Home Advice (UK Government)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
'Social Distancing' Advice (UK Government)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
Public Health Advice (Wales)
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
NHS Direct
https://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/
Welsh Government
https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Information for employers and employees
ABUHB SERVICES
https://abuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/guidance-from-individual-healthcare-services-and-divisions/
Self isolation
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees
Social Distancing/risk groups
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Support for Businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Travel Advice (UK Government)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
World Health Organisation (WHO)
https://www.who.int/
SPECIFIC PATIENT GROUP ADVICE
Asthma
Asthma UK – Asthma and Coronavirus information
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
Cardiovascular Disease
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health
Cervical Screening (currently suspended service)
http://www.cervicalscreeningwales.wales.nhs.uk/contact-us
Diabetes UK Coronavirus advice
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/illness
Endocrine – Adrenal/Pituitary Insufficiency (including sick day rules)
https://www.endocrinology.org/news/item/14050/
Mental Health
CALL Mental Health helpline - 24/7 Listening/Advice line
http://callhelpline.org.uk/
Freephone 0800 132 737
Or text “Help” to 81066
MIND re Coronavirus
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Young Minds – Young People with Anxiety around Coronovirus
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/
Musculoskeletal
Arthritis UK – Exercises to manage MSK problems
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/exercise/exercises-to-manage-pain/
Musculo Skeletal Concerns advice
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/page/41582
Pregnancy
https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/
Respiratory
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus
Rheumatology Advice
https://www.rheumatology.org.uk/News-Policy/Details/Covid19-Coronavirus-update-members
http://www.whenshouldiworry.com/
Safeguarding
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 https:/ /www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
- NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.
- Childline 0800 1111: offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry.
- MIND www.mind.org.uk Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’
- YoungMinds https://youngminds.org.uk Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus
Sexual Health
As of Monday 23rd March 2020 9:00am all 'Walk In' sexual health services will be discontinued indefinitely.
Appointments for sexual health matters will be available in 3 hubs:-
· Bargoed Health Centre
· Cwmbran Health Centre
· Cordell Centre
Vulnerable Groups
AGE Cymru – Coronavirus
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/information-advice/health-wellbeing/coronavirus/
Anyone over the age of 70 in Wales can register with Age Cymru, free of charge, to receive a regular telephone call from the charity in English or Welsh.
Call Age Cymru Advice Number on 08000 223 444
Or email enquiries@agecymru.org.uk
AGE Cymru – Loneliness
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/caring-for-someone-whos-lonely/
Wales Dementia Helpline
Freephone 0808 808 2235
Or text “help” to 81066