Preparing for a telephone or video consultation
During this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic you will be aware that we are relying heavily on remote consultations at Castleton Road Health Centre, as is the case across the whole NHS. We appreciate that this may feel unfamiliar to patients as it did initially to the Nurses and GPs at the surgery.
There are a number of things that you can do in advance of the consultation which may help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your consultation.
The clinician may ask if you are happy to transfer from a telephone consultation to a video consultation using your smart phone. We use a system call accuRx that allows us to text you a link, which you then click on to launch a video consultation. So with this in mind it is useful to make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and are in a place of privacy if you wish to consent to a video consultation. Please see the link below if you want further information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxW4ssN3y90
If you can, please check and make a note of the following prior to talking to the GP/Nurse:
1. Your pulse rate:
For a video demonstration
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/checking-your-pulse
2. Your blood pressure (if you have a home monitor):
3. Your temperature (if you have a home thermometer):
If we need to issue a prescription as a result of the consultation, this will be sent electronically directly to a pharmacy. Therefore it is helpful to think in advance of which pharmacy is most convenient for you.
The practice team is very grateful for your support and understanding in these challenging times.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE – 19/06/2020
Due to the ongoing concerns of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) ALL appointment requests, including both same-day and routine appointments at the Practice, will need to be made by submitting an eConsult. This measure is being put into place to try to ensure that unnecessary visits to the practice are avoided wherever possible.
This does not mean that you won’t get an appointment to be seen face to face if you need this, but it does allow our clinical team to assess each patient on an individual basis to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for them to attend the practice.
Please access the eConsult service through the Practice website – www.gpbarking.com
If you are unable to complete an eConsult online for any reason, please call the practice on The White House 02085327540 or The Green House 02085944700 and a member of the reception team will be happy to assist you with doing this.
If you have symptoms of a fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or general body ache, please do NOT come into the surgery. You should visit 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 for further advice.
Official NHS guidance states that the public are being advised to stay at home (self-isolate) without any testing for COVID-19, regardless of travel history or contact with confirmed cases, if they have:
- a NEW continuous cough
- or
- a high temperature (of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher)
Please follow the updated online guidance from NHS111 and the World Health Organisation which includes staying at home for 7 days and avoiding close contact with other people.
If after 7 days you require further healthcare advice on your symptoms, you are advised to speak to 111 directly.
How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
How to self-isolate if you’re asked to
- stay at home
- not go to work, school or public places
- not use public transport or taxis
- ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
- try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
You will need to do this for at least 7 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection.
Read more coronavirus self-isolation advice.
Visit our dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page for more information
ONLINE APPOINTMENT BOOKING SYSTEM TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
11/03/2020
Due to ongoing concerns around COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are temporarily suspending the facility for patients to book online appointments at the surgery. This is to ensure that we are able to fully assess risk before appointments are booked at the surgery.
As you will be aware the practice uses eConsult and patients are advised to seek advice via this service. Please visit www.gpbarking.com for further information and access to the eConsult service.
For any general information on coronavirus please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/