**IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF FACE COVERINGS IN THE PRACTICE FROM 19TH JULY 2021**

Throughout the pandemic we have strived to make our two surgeries as safe as possible for our patients and staff. We will continue to do this and from the 19th July nothing will change whilst on our premises. Patients will still need to wear a mask/face covering, socially distance and use hand sanitiser and all our patient facing staff will continue to wear PPE. We do understand that it can be frustrating but we know that when patients come to us they may be sick and vulnerable. Some cannot receive the COVID vaccine due to medical reasons so we feel it would be wrong to not continue with these small precautions that can help to protect the patients and staff. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION – **COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATES

GPs DO NOT PROVIDE THESE CERTIFICATES SO PLEASE DON’T CALL THE PRACTICE

Please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad  for further information.

Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHS app, which is also valuable for accessing your health records and ordering repeat prescriptions.

The NHSapp can be downloaded from the Apple Store for IPhone or the Play Store for  AndroidI

IPhone from https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277  

Android from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhs.online.nhsonline

Alternatively you can downoad the certificate from the NHS COVID Website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/ or call the NHS helpline on 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least two weeks after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine. The letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED PATIENT INFORMATION LETTER REGARDING OUR NEW PROCEEDURES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC  COVID-19 Patient Information Letter

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRIS (COVID-19)***

If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste or smell you are advised to get a PCR test and stay at home for 10 days if the result is positive.

Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.

If you live with other people and they have not been double vaccinated, they should stay at home for at least 10 days to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 10 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.

If you live with other people and they have been double vaccinated at least 14 days before the outset of your symptoms, they should get a PCR test and if the result is negative they can return to their normal routine and do not need to stay at home.

Please note that the decision about whether an employee can return to work is made by individual employers and not GP clinical staff

The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do.
Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.

YOU NEED TO CONTACT NHS 111 IF YOU REQUIRE URGENT CARE WHEN THE PRACTICE IS CLOSED. YOU SIMPLY DIAL THE NON-EMERGENCY LINE 111.