Covid-19
Due to coronavirus, how you contact us will be different at the moment. This is to limit face-to-face contact whenever possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus. All GP practices across the UK are operating a 'phone first' triage system.
When you phone or go online, you will be asked to provide some information about your healthcare need. This will help the practice healthcare team assess the most appropriate way to provide your care, which may include a face-to-face consultation and ensure it is provided by the most appropriate person.
Face-to-face appointments are available to all patients where there is a clinical need.
Attending Face-to-Face Appointments
If you are asked to come into the surgery for a face-to-face appointment, please remember to wear a face covering. Measures are in place to keep you safe from infection during your visit to the surgery. If you have a disability or condition which means you cannot wear a face covering or cannot communicate with someone who is wearing a face mask, or require other adjustments before your appointment, please let the surgery know ahead of your arrival.
Evidence of your Covid Vaccine
Please DO NOT contact your GP practice for proof of Covid Vaccination status, this information can be obtained by telephoning 119 or by using the NHS App on your smartphone. Please follow the link to view a quick guide to doing this: https://youtu.be/Q0SCcLtw8JA
Wearing a facecovering is to continue in healthcare settings.
On 19/1/22, the Government announced that, in England, the wearing of face masks was no longer a legal requirement in public places from Thursday 27/1/22. However, the Government also recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed or private spaces and continue to wear a face-covering when meeting people you would not ordinarily meet.
Healthcare is a unique setting and you may recall that when restrictions were lifted in July 2021, visitors to healthcare settings were still required to wear a face covering. For these reasons, we will be asking patients and visitors to Acklam Medical Centre to continue wearing a mask for the time being. Our staff will continue to wear masks when seeing patients face to face.
We are optimistic that this requirement will soon be lifted in healthcare settings too, but for the time being, we are grateful for your support in wearing a mask when you come to the surgery. If you choose not to wear a mask, please make this known to our reception team when you book your appointment, as we may have to make alternative arrangements in order to protect our patients and staff.
Here is the official guidance (please see section 10.5):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-guidance-for-maintaining-services-within-health-and-care-settings-infection-prevention-and-control-recommendations