Leeds GP practices will be open this Easter bank holiday for those who need help.
As part of the city’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), most appointments will take place via telephone or video. Face-to-face appointments are still offered where absolutely necessary, with patients being advised accordingly.
GPs are also encouraging people to download and use the NHS app to access services such as repeat prescriptions as well as self-management support for any existing health conditions. And in an effort to get people to the right healthcare professional, people are being advised to provide as much detail as possible for their call when contacting their local GP practice.
Dr Sarah Forbes, GP and Associate Medical Director for the CCG, said:
“We want to keep pressure off hospital services wherever we can, so practices across the city will be open over the bank holiday to help make sure anyone who needs medical help can access it.
“But we’d also ask that everyone helps us by staying at home. We appreciate that Easter and Passover are traditional times for families to come together, but social distancing rules remains essential. This means not meeting up with friends and family who don’t live with you and only leaving the house to buy essentials, for health reasons (such as going to the pharmacy), or for work that absolutely cannot be done at home. If you go out, you should stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times, and wash your hands as soon as you get home. Following these rules will help control the spread of the virus to the wider community, particularly the most vulnerable.
“It’s really important that anyone who thinks they have COVID-19 follows NHS advice and stays at home, using the NHS 111 online service should they need any support. You must not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital. Should your symptoms get worse or you feel you’re struggling to cope please call NHS 111.”
If you’re having difficulty getting food or medication delivered to you and do not have friends or family nearby, there is support available. Call the Leeds City Council helpline on (0113) 378 1877, and their volunteers will do their best to assist you. For more information about the support that is available in Leeds, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus.
For the latest advice on coronavirus please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
You should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
Do not leave your home if you have coronavirus symptoms
Stay at home if you have either:
- a high temperature – this means 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)
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do at www.111.nhs.uk. Only call NHS 111 if you feel you can’t cope or your symptoms begin to get worse.
This post is based on a press release issued by NHS Leeds
Image: Arthington Medical Centre, Hunslet via Google Streetview