Dear Patients
COVID-19: “Phase 2 Approach” for General Practice in Seaford
As I’m sure you are aware, general practice here in Seaford and across the country has found itself in a very different world since the lockdown arrangements introduced by the Government in late March.
The objectives of “COVID Phase 1” were to be prepared to support the NHS generally in the COVID-19 pandemic, given the unknown scale of the crisis facing the country, protect our patients from exposure to the virus as far as possible and to keep our GPs and staff safe. This meant severely restricting access to our premises, concentrating on clinically urgent conditions and undertaking the vast majority of clinical consultations by way of phone and / or video consultations.
We have now been asked by NHS England to consider how we can move to “COVID Phase 2” and how we might be able to consult with more patients, while still recognising the very real threat of COVID-19. The two general practices in Seaford, Seaford Medical Practice (SMP) and Old School Surgery (OSS), have liaised closely to ensure any approach taken is consistent for the residents of Seaford.
At the beginning of May NHS England asked general practices to consider opening up more clinical consultations in respect of:
- “shielding patients”
- Cancer / suspected cancer patients
- Those most vulnerable to heart attacks and strokes
- Mental health patients
- (Parents of) young children
- Pregnant women
- Patients with learning disabilities or autism
- Some patients with chronic medical conditions
- Patients whose underlying medical conditions not covered from the above that make them most vulnerable to complications arising from COVID-19
SMP and OSS, therefore, plan to start doing this from 1st June 2020. The Practices will still need to do this in a way that enables them to continue to support NHS efforts in respect of COVID-19, keeping patients safe as far as possible from the virus and still protecting our GPs and staff.
To best achieve these aims, the vast majority of clinical consultations will continue to be done by way of phone consultations and / or video consultations. Access to the Seaford Health Centre will continue to be strictly limited and only patients who have a booked appointment will be able to come in to the Health Centre. Adopting safe social distancing, our waiting room can only safely accommodate 15 patients at any one time (compared to 60 in the pre-COVID environment).
(Due to this limitation on space, only the patient will be able to come in to the waiting room, unless they need a carer to be with them.)
Please continue to request appointments by phone rather than coming to the Health Centre to do this. Prescriptions should be ordered either online or by email and should be collected from your nominated pharmacy.
The Practices have also had to change their staffing arrangements to ensure they provide safe social distancing for staff. This means that there are not as many staff on site during the core hours of 8.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Please bear with us if it takes you longer than usual to get through on the phone.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Best wishes and stay safe.
Dr Dan Elliott
GP Executive Partner
Seaford Medical Practice
2nd June 2020.
