Coronavirus COVID-19 Information

This page contains the latest advice, support and information relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will keep this page updated.

Looking After Yourself During Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak

We understand that these can be worrying and anxious times and therefore have pulled together the following resources to help you self-manage whilst you may not be able to access care in your usual ways.

19/11/2020 – If you have contracted COVID-19

The clinical team at the surgery are endeavouring to follow up patients who we are informed have contracted Covid-19. We are however not necessarily informed in a timely manner and by the time patients are contacted they are often in day 7 / 8 of their illness. Some are beginning to feel better after this time but some are feeling quite unwell.

If you have had a positive Covid test and are feeling breathless (and particularly if you are having difficulty breathing when getting up to go to the toilet or similar) or are feeling particularly unwell please contact the surgery (or NHS111 out of hours) for support / advice.

The surgery has pulse oximetry equipment which can be loaned to patients. This enables the level of oxygen in the blood to be monitored and is the most accurate way of keeping an eye on progress with COVID-19. An ideal blood oxygen level is between 95% and 99%. Patients whose blood oxygen levels deteriorate can be treated more effectively and quickly the sooner they seek medical attention.

The surgery is open and available to support all patients. Please do not hesitate to call if support / advice is required.

10/06/2020 – Face masks and coverings for NHS visitors

New guidance published on 5th June (see below) states that all visitors and outpatients will be expected to wear face coverings when attending hospitals. Please bear this in mind if you have a hospital appointment.

We are also asking all patients who are attending appointments at the surgery to do the same. This is not mandatory but advisable.

Face coverings can be made at home or can be as simple as a scarf that ties behind the head. Advice on how to make a face covering at home can be found on the Gov.uk website.

Cotswold Friends have kindly donated some face coverings which can be collected from the outside table, at the surgery for those patients who may not have anything suitable. A donation of £2 per face covering is suggested. Donations can be made online or via the collection box at the surgery.

Face masks and coverings to be worn by all NHS hospital staff and visitors.

27/04/2020 – Virus Tests Now Available to Keyworkers

You can now apply for a test if you’re a key worker who is self-isolating (not able to leave home) because:

  • you have coronavirus symptoms or…
  • you live with someone who has coronavirus symptoms

See link below on how to request a test. You can choose to visit a drive through site or request tests to do at home.
www.self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk

The link below provides a definition of “keyworker”.
www.gov.uk/gui…/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

This video provides information about what happens at a drive through site.

www.youtube.com

22/04/2020

Gloucestershire CCG and partner organisations have developed an information leaflet to support people who are experiencing bereavement during the Covid-19 pandemic. This leaflet, ‘Grieving in exceptional times’, will be relevant to those even if the death of the loved one is not directly linked to COVID-19.

Public Health England has launched a COVID-19 mental health campaign with new advice focussed on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the pandemic. This includes a range of new resources such as a tailored COVID-19 Mind Plan, COVID-19 specific content and support for specific mental wellbeing issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping. This website signposts people to activities such as mindful breathing exercises, help reframing unhelpful thoughts and muscle relaxation. www.nhs.uk

01/04/2020

Please listen to an important message from Dr Paul Sherringham, Partner, regarding the upcoming Easter weekend and the importance of seeking medical advice for children who are unwell during this period.

If you are not sure if your child is unwell and whether they need to be seen, see the link below, call NHS111 or give us a call. If your child appears to be severely unwell and advice is not quickly available call 999 or take them to A&E as you would in other times.

The North Cotswolds “Hot Clinic” is now up and running at the George Moore Community Clinic on Moore Road in Bourton on the Water.

This is NOT a drop in clinic and appointments are made via the surgery. It is very important that patients do not travel there to “have a look” or without prior instruction.

Please watch the video below for more information.

27/03/2020 – Age UK Gloucestershire – Update

Age UK Gloucestershire has had to reconfigure the way it delivers support to Gloucestershire’s older people. It is currently providing support in three ways:-

Supporting Older People to resolve specific issues

The Help Team is available Monday–Friday, 09:00–16:00 to help older people resolve specific problems. The team has up to date information about local resources and support. The Out of Hospital Team continues to support older people recently discharged from hospital.

Supporting Older People to stay connected

Recognising that social isolation and the associated wellbeing issues are a real and serious issue for older people a new Freephone telephone number has been set up for people who are alone and who want to have a friendly conversation with a staff member or volunteer.

Call 0800 2980 579, Monday–Friday, 09:00–16:00.

Support for Communities who want to help

  • Signposting individuals to existing local groups, and central hub resources.
  • Support and advice for local community groups to support older people safely and effectively.

27/03/2020 – Temporary changes to Minor Injury and Illness Units (MIIU)

There have been some temporary changes to the opening hours at MIIUs across the county, from yesterday 26th March.

Some MIIU units have closed.

For us, the MIIU at North Cotswolds Hospital in Moreton, has reduced its opening hours slightly to 08:00 until 18:00, seven days a week (was previously 20:00).

These temporary measures will be kept under review and further changes may be made in order to respond to the developing situation.

Inpatient services at the hospital will not be affected.

The change will enable Gloucestershire Health and Care clinicians to be redeployed to where they are most needed, strengthening staffing levels at a smaller number of sites and supporting service resilience.

25/3/2020 – Diabetes UK – How Do I Manage My Diabetes if I Am Unwell

25/3/2020 – Government Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

The government has launched a new, free service on WhatsApp to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).

This is an automated ‘chatbot’ service which will allow the British public to get answers to the most common questions about coronavirus direct from government. It will provide information on topics such as coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting.

The service will also allow the government to send messages to all opted-in users if required.

To use the service, add 07860 064 422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message.

25/3/2020 – Join Zoe

This app has been launched today by researchers at Guys and St Thomas’ and Kings College to help slow the spread of Covid-19 and identify risk cases sooner.

The population are asked to share their well / ill status daily to provide policy makers with some data to work with.

At present this is just for adults and we understand that the app will be made more beautiful and user friendly in the coming days.

25/3/2020 – Change to Surgery Procedures

In order to protect the doctors and staff and the sometimes vulnerable patients coming to the surgery for routine appointments, we have closed the front doors of the surgery until further notice.

WE ARE STILL OPEN AND OPERATING.

If you have a booked, face to face appointment you will be contacted on the morning of your appointment to ensure that you do not have any symptoms of Coronavirus. Your appointment time will be confirmed and you will be asked to ring the buzzer, at the ambulance door when you arrive. The doctor / nurse will meet you at the door and take you straight into a consulting room and you will leave by the same door. Please do not arrive too early as you will be asked to wait in your car / outside until the doctor / nurse is ready for you. The doctor / nurse will be dressed in protective clothing. Please do not be alarmed by this; it is precautionary to protect us all.

Most appointments will now be conducted over the telephone and we are also able to offer video consultations.

We are very aware that not everyone is suffering from Coronavirus and that other medical issues haven’t disappeared. Please call the surgery if you are unwell and feel that you need medical advice. We are still here to help.

25/3/2020 – Dispensary Update

Our dispensary staff are doing an amazing job keeping up with the increased volume of prescription requests. Generally we are managing to keep up with our usual timescales.

We prefer online requests as they are quicker and easier to process. If you are not set up for online services please register via our website www.stowsurgery.co.uk.

Alternatively please leave a message on the order line which is open 24/7 (01451 833 482).

When collecting medicines from the surgery you will be directed to ring the doorbell and medicines will be left on a table, outside the door, for you to pick up.

If someone is collecting medicines on your behalf we will ask them for your full name and address.

24/3/2020 – Maternity Appointments

Unfortunately due to the current situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) please be aware that pregnant women are now required to attend their hospital appointments alone in order to minimise risks to both staff, themselves and their families. This includes ultrasound scans, Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT’s), Day Assessment Unit appointments and Antenatal Clinic appointments.

Currently if you are booked for a fetal medicine scan or attending maternity triage you may bring with you one person as long as they do not have any symptoms of Coronavirus. For your birth you may have one birth partner or doula only who may remain with you during your stay in hospital. General visiting in maternity has been suspended until further notice.

Please also note if you have upcoming antenatal appointments either in the community or hospital you may be contacted to see if it is possible to do you appointment over the telephone in order to reduce risks and save you entering hospital premises.

We understand that this may be upsetting but hope that you understand that we are doing everything to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible at this time.

23/3/2020 – Respiratory Rescue Packs

We have received multiple requests today for “rescue packs” following fake news being circulated on social media.

Some patients with severe respiratory conditions will have a “rescue pack” of antibiotics and steroid medication as part of their personalised care plan, as a matter of course. These patients will know who they are and how to replenish their supplies.

If you do not generally have a rescue pack you will not be issued with one now.

If you are feeling unwell or more breathless than normal then please contact the surgery for a review.

23/3/2020 – Update on Staffing

We are aware that the grapevine has been working well and that many people are worried about surgery staff.

We can confirm that we have a number of clinical and non clinical staff who are unwell. They are however all making progress and are expected back at the surgery soon.

Dr Chiles in particular would like to reassure everyone that she is well. Some of you will have spoken to her on the phone (as she has continued to work, from home) and she will continue to do this until she is able to return to the surgery, which should be later this week.

Like the general public there is currently no testing available for healthcare workers in Gloucestershire so we do not know if they have had Covid-19 or not. We have to assume however that they have. All staff will complete the required isolation time before returning to work.

Thank you for all your kind wishes.

Stow Surgery