Face coverings
We are asking all our patients to wear a face covering or something else that can cover the mouth and nose, such as a scarf, if you come to the surgery for an appointment.
The government is asking people not to buy medical grade masks so they can be saved for frontline health and care workers, and instead make their own face coverings at home.
You can use a simple scarf or bandana that ties behind your head or make your own ‘no-sew’ face coverings using the advice available online at the gov.uk website. Simply search for ‘face covering’. Face coverings are also available to buy in shops or online.
Face coverings should not be worn by children under three and people who would find wearing them difficult (such as people with breathing difficulties).
Clinicians that are seeing patients face-to-face will be wearing personal protective equipment (face mask/gloves/aprons). This is for your safety as well as theirs.
Further advice about wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces can be found here www.gov.uk/government/news/public-advised-to-cover-faces-in-enclosed-spaces
Appointments
As well as routine appointments, we have opened up appointments for screening and contraceptive services. This includes smear tests and coil/implant fitting and removal. Please telephone 384498, option 1 for more information.
We have a new intercom at the reception door and automatic door opening device so that you can enter the surgery. We are awaiting guidance on opening the surgery fully in the coming weeks.
We ask that everyone entering the surgery wear some form of mouth and nose face covering – mask or scarf, etc.
Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person
Register if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.
If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you extremely vulnerable, register anyway.
This service is free. You can register yourself, or for someone else. Click on ‘help and support’ link to the Government website here
Coronavirus: Changes for Homestead Medical Centre
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, GP practices across the country are temporarily changing how they deliver care to patients.
With the advice from the Director of Primary Care we are moving over to telephone triage and online consultations with immediate effect. This will mean that face to face appointments for routine and non-urgent care will be suspended.
If you have a health concern and need medical advice please click on the link above to use the online consultation facility. Alternatively call the Practice on 01924 384498, Press Option 1 and we will arrange for a Doctor or Nurse to call you back.
All requests for an appointment will be triaged by a Doctor or Nurse. Some requests will be dealt with over the telephone. However some patients may need an appointment and will be asked to come down. The Doctor or Nurse will ask you if you have a cough or temperature before booking you an appointment.
When you arrive at the Surgery a member of staff will take your temperature before allowing you into the waiting room. If you have a temperature of 37.8 or above you will be asked to go back home and phone the surgery on 384498, option 1.
Coronavirus Advice
If you have a fever or a cough please do not come down to the Surgery. Please self-isolate at home for 7 days and go to NHS111 online for further information. For the latest up-to-date information please click on the following link to NHS 111
Test and Trace
Information about the test & trace app can be found here or copying:-
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
Sick Notes, Prescriptions, Results & Referrals
Please do not come down to the surgery to order your repeat prescription. We will not be able to accept any repeat prescription requests over the telephone. Please post in your requests or register for online services.
We are aiming to give you three months supply of repeat prescriptions. These prescriptions will be post dated and will be held by the pharmacy until you collect the following month. You will not be able to collect three months of medication in one go.
Over the counter medication:- As you may know, certain medications such as paracetamol are being stockpiled by people in anticipation of becoming ill and this has meant that shops and pharmacies have found it difficult to keep restocking these items.
If you need to request a continuation sick note, results of any recent tests or have a referral query, please click on the link above and do this via the online consultation facility. We will post out or email your sicknote to you.
We will not be issuing sick notes or letters for patients who are requested to self-isolate. You will need to issue a self-certificate for 7 days.
Please go to: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Self Isolation Guidance can be found here.
Social Distancing Information can be found here.
Please click on the link to download the self-certificate form
It is our aim that by putting these measures in place we can restrict the number of people we have in reception at any one time and therefore avoid the risk of spreading infection both to other patients and our NHS staff.
NHS Hospitals are not accepting most routine referrals, but please don’t put off any concerns you have. Please speak with the doctor, by telephoning 384498, option 1. If you have a current referral, the hospital will contact you once they are able to see outpatients again. Pinderfields/Pontefract/Dewsbury Hospitals appointment line can be contacted on 541169 if you are concerned about your referral.
FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION – USE THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
