GOVERMENT SUPPORT – The government have launched a new website for patients to use in finding out what help they can get if affected by coronavirus. This service is available to all patients who are seeking advice and guidance on the topics such as: feeling unsafe, going in to work, paying bills or being unemployed, getting food, having somewhere to live, mental health and wellbeing.

HOME BUT NOT ALONE – A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Need a volunteers help? Call 0800 876 6926 or visit Home, but not alone

UPDATE – We currently have members of our team off work as a result of being unwell or self-isolating – this clearly affects our ability to maintain our service. Please be patient with staff who are doing their very best.

PRESCRIPTIONS – We are receiving very large numbers of requests for medication – much more than we would normally expect. Many of the requests are a long way ahead of when they are due.  Please DO NOT order medication too soon and please do not stockpile. Patients who are ordering too much or too early are putting the health of others at risk. We are receiving a lot of medication requests on paper – we want to reduce that as much as possible to protect our staff.  We would prefer online requests or email to wsccg.angelhill.dispensary@nhs.net – obviously our staff shortages mean that answering the phone to take medication requests will take them away from other tasks.

IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION

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.

The advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is to stay at home and self isolate if you or any members of your family have either:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough

DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you are staying at home.

Read advice about staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

NHS 111 online coronavirus service

If you require a note for your employer, please use the following link – isolation note

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Coronavirus: no need to stockpile medicines

Guidance from the Public Health department discourages medicines stockpiling related to coronavirus concerns as stockpiling can put a strain on the supply chain and exacerbate any potential shortages.  Patients on repeat prescriptions should continue with their usual current repeat prescription durations, ie, a month’s supply.

Further information and details of how to self-isolate are available on nhs.uk.

Accessibility is important to us. Angel Hill Surgery is close to the centre of Bury St Edmunds with a public car park directly outside. There are some spaces for disabled users.

We want you to able to contact us as easily as possible. We have online and telephone access to appointments. Our reception staff are specially trained to be able to help you find the most appropriate service to meet your needs.

Our extended opening hours give you more opportunities to see a doctor or nurse around your other commitments.

Urgent medical conditions can be seen within 24 hours by a Doctor or Practice Nurse.

We work with a number of different specialist services within the surgery so you can have blood tests, specialist diabetic community nurse appointments and mental health link worker reviews at Angel Hill Surgery.