Coronavirus ADvice

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

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Stay at home if you or anyone in your household has either:

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• a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

• a new, continuous cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

• a new loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

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Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital

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Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do

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Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

• your condition gets worse

• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

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Go to nhs.uk for simple and clear information on 

• Self isolation

• At risk groups including the most at risk "shielded" group

• How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus

• Pregnancy advice

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Extremely Vulnerable Shielded Patients

These are the group of patients who are are at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and are being asked to "shield" for 12 weeks. We, along withNHS England have written to this group of patients with further advice. Detailed advice from Public Health England can be found here. See our section on support below for details of how to access a range of help if you are shielding.

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SUPPORT

Support available if you been sent a 'shielding' letter identifying you as the highest risk from coronavirus:

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Coronavirus Vulnerable People Service (gov.uk)

You’ll be able to ask for help if you need it - for example, with getting essential supplies or your basic care needs. You can register for this service here.

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North Tyneside Council Support Hub

North Tyneside Council has set up a dedicated helpline for those in need of immediate help and support and who can’t call on family, friends, neighbours or carers. While it is available to anyone in urgent need of non-clinical help in the borough, priority will be given to those identified by the NHS as critically vulnerable due to health conditions. Support will be tailored for individual needs, including help with essential food and medicine deliveries.

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The opening hours for the COVID-19 support hub are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and is available by calling 0345 2000 101 or emailing contact.us@northtyneside.gov.uk

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NHS Volunteer Responders

A range of services are available including:

• Check in and Chat Support - provides short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

• Community Support - provides collection of shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home.

• Patient Transport Support -provides transport for patients who are medically fit for discharge or to support patients going to NHS appointments.

• NHS Transport Support - provides transport for equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites. Also involves assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.

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To self-refer call 0808 196 3646.

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Support available if you are vulnerable:

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NHS Volunteer Responders

If you are vulnerable then the NHS Volunteer Responders service is available to you. Please see the information above for the type of help available. A range of organisations can refer you to the service; if you would like to access help please speak a GP, your local pharmacy, your social care provider or your local council.

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North Tyneside Council Support Hub

See information above.

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Local Food Delivery

Many local shops and businesses are offering food deliveries and information can be found here. 

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Supermarket Food Delivery

Supermarkets are also working hard to increase home delivery, Morrisons have increased support to people self-isolating and are now offering a limited range of food boxes which can be ordered either online or by phone and paid for on delivery using chip and pin.

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General support available to everyone:

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SIGN North Tyneside directory brings together information about activities, events and services for residents living within North Tyneside. It also specifically lists services operating and offering support during COVID-19.

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Health at home gives an overview of NHS services that are available, such as how to order repeat prescriptions online and get them delivered.

Local councils are working with voluntary sector organisations and local communities to support residents in the response to COVID-19. To access this information please visit the Newcastle City Council coronavirus site or the North Tyneside Council coronavirus site.

The government has provided advice on employment and financial support on their website.

Domestic Abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please visit this Government guidance page which provides practical advice and contact details for services and charities which can help you. 

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Mental Health Resources

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Everymind Matters - expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

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Northern Mental Health Support - providing comprehensive advice around staying safe in a crisis, supporting your mental health, exercise, socialising remotely and a host of other topics including information tailored to the Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear area.

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Free Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook - provided by the Wellness Society

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North East and Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network - provides a new community resource for people seeking help and advice about suicide and mental wellbeing and guidance for those who have sadly been bereaved by suicide

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Samaritans - advice and support if you're worried about your mental health or someone else's mental health.

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Remember, if you are concerned about your mental health, please contact the surgery.

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Keeping People Connected - Support service for patients with a learning disability or autism

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Many people with learning disability and /or autism will become increasingly vulnerable during the current crisis. Keeping People Connected is a telephone support service which aims to help people by keeping connected with them. They will receive regular calls from specialist staff to access and support them with understanding, practical issues, and signposting where additional help is needed.

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To access the service please call 0191 281 8737 or email 

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Parenting Support

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TALK -  Have a question about parenting? Action for Children have 10 trained online parenting coaches available for free, confidential 1-1 live chat, to listen and to support you.

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Appointments

We are currently providing a same day telephone triage service. All requests will be assessed over the phone by a GP or a nurse.

If you already have an appointment with a GP, nurse or healthcare assistant, we will be contacting you and rebooking you into a telephone consultation.

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To access an appointment please either:

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• Call us on 0191 2625252.

• Book online via the NHS app​ or an alternative online service. You can register online for the NHS app without having to attend the surgery.

• Use our e-consultation service. We will contact you by the end of the next working day.

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Our routine childhood immunisation service will continue. We will contact you with an appointment 

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aCCESS TO THE Building

The doors to the surgery are locked. This is to protect both you and the NHS workforce.

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If you need to access the GP surgery:

Please use the silver intercom by the door to speak to a receptionist. If you have a booked appointment you will be permitted to enter the surgery waiting room. If you have any other query, please use the intercom to speak to a receptionist.

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The GP surgery is closed on Fridays between 8:30 and 9:30 for our weekly coronavirus update meeting. The pharmacy remains open during this time.

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If you need to access the pharmacy:

Please ring the white door bell and wait for a member of the pharmacy team.

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Social distancing

Please respect social distancing outside the surgery and remain at least 2 metres apart from other people.

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PRESCRIPTIONS

How to order

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You can order your prescription 24 hours a day:

• Call us on 0191 2625252 and select option 2 to leave a message on the order line. Alternatively you can call the order line directly by calling 0191 2639458.

• Order online via the NHS app or an alternative online service. You can register online for the NHS app without having to attend the surgery.

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We are no longer accepting medication requests on paper.

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Ordering time

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During the coronavirus outbreak please allow 72 hours before attending your nominated pharmacy. We would strongly recommend that you contact your pharmacy before you attend because pharmacies are also experiencing delays at this time.

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How your prescription will be sent

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All prescriptions will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy. If you do not have a nominated pharmacy please advise us where you would like your prescription to be sent when you order.

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Rescue packs for patients with pre-existing respiratory

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There has been inaccurate information circulating regarding special 'rescue packs' for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Please do not contact the GP practice for a rescue pack. You should continue to manage your condition in the usual way and if you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19, go to  111 online coronavirus service before anything else.

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FIT NOTES

Fit notes for coronavirus

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You do not need to get a note from a GP.

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If you live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, you can get an isolation note from NHS 111 to send to your employer as proof you need to stay off work.

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If you have symptoms of coronavirus and need to stay at home, use the 111 coronavirus service to get an isolation note.

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Fit notes not related to coronavirus 

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You can request a fit note through our e-consultation service or by calling us on 0191 2625252.

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Fit notes can be sent electronically to your mobile number, or you can collect from the surgery.

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Guidance for employees

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You can access a range of useful advice for employees here.

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NON-NHS WORK

During this time we will not be accepting any new requests for private work from patients, including requests for letters from a GP or medicals. This will allow us to focus on providing essential medical care to our patients.

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