20 April 2020
Dear Patients,
As you may be aware GP practices across Sussex, have to transform the way they work to ensure local patients remain safe and get the care they need during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes The Glebe Surgery.
With the safety of patients and practice staff a priority, new measures have been introduced through the creation of a dedicated site at The Glebe Surgery for anyone with Covid-19 symptoms to be seen safely. We will be seeing patients with COVID-19 symptoms who need GP assessment but not necessarily requiring hospital admission. At The Glebe Surgery, we will be providing this service for patients registered at The Glebe Surgery, Henfield Medical Centre, Steyning Health Centre, Billingshurst Surgery and Pulborough Medical Group. This means patients may NOT be seen by their usual GP if required to attend with COVID19 symptoms.
Those who feel they need GP appointments are being asked to contact their surgeries as normal. We request that patients do NOT attend the practice unless specifically being told to do so following an initial assessment by a suitably trained clinician.
Patients will be asked to give an accurate and detailed description of their symptoms and this will allow them to receive the most appropriate treatment. This may be by telephone or video call. Patients will be screened for any fever or cough symptoms or other symptoms of COVID-19, so only those who are considered well can enter. The facility will be arranged to maintain social distancing measures and limit patient number on site at any one time.
Any patient with Covid-19 symptoms from any of the above named practices will be given an appointment at our ‘hot site’ rather than their own practice.
Patients with Covid-19 symptoms will be separated into a special zone, which is completely isolated from the rest of the building, and special infection control measures are in place. This has been clearly marked and signposted. Patients who have not been asked to do so must not enter this area.
The Glebe Surgery GPs will be seeing The Glebe Surgery patients without COVID-19 symptoms in a specially designated area that has been marked and signposted. This ensures that any risk of infection is minimised for both patients and staff.
All staff at The Glebe Surgery will follow infection control measures set by government experts and residents can be reassured of their safety, even when they are close to any site seeing patients with Covid19 symptoms. At a minimum a daily, a full deep clean will be completed at each hot site, including thorough disinfection.
Although all of us at The Glebe Surgery are disappointed that we have not been able to celebrate with you the opening of our new surgery as we had planned, I am sure you all recognise the unusual situation we find ourselves.
The Partners and staff wish to thank you for your patience and support during these difficult times.
Yours Sincerely
Dr Keir Newsom
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