A Nottingham GP is reminding patients that GP practices are still open and operating to help support with medical and health concerns.

A number of changes have been made to healthcare settings due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, patients should continue to contact their GP practice if they are worried about a health condition.

Practices are deciding which patients need to be seen in person based on individual health conditions. Patients will be offered an online, phone or video consultation and where necessary, will be invited in for a face to face appointment. This is to ensure practices can continue caring for patients in the safest way possible.

If a patient does have to go into their medical practice for an appointment, they will see a number of changes and additions. These include:

• Barriers or floor markings around reception to make sure patients remain two meters away from staff and each other.
• No leaflets, self-service machines or any magazines to read in the waiting room. ⦁ Plastic screens around the reception desk.
• Taped off chairs in the waiting room, or reduced chairs, to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
• Staff wearing PPE during appointments.
• Hand sanitizer available and patients encourage to wash hands more frequently.
• Patients should wear a face mask to appointments.

A full outline of what to expect when visiting a GP practice can be viewed here.

Patients are reminded not to go to emergency departments unless it is an emergency.

Dr James Hopkinson, joint clinical leader at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, said:

“Our GPs across the county have continued to offer high quality services to patients throughout these challenging times and informed patients about the new process when booking appointments and what to expect if going into their practice.

“Patient safety remains a top priority and so practices will continue to hold virtual and online appointments. Patients can still expect the same level of care from their GP via a virtual appointment. As already happening across practices in the county, some patients will be invited into their practice for a face to face appointment where it is deemed necessary. This has been the case amongst practices throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s really important that patients do seek medical advice if they have something they are worried about and although practices are working slightly differently in these challenging times, we would

like to remind patients that GP practices are still open. If you have a health concern, don’t put it off, get it checked straight away.”

If you have symptoms of coronavirus including a new or continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, please do not go to your GP practice, Urgent Treatment Centre or nearby emergency department. Please book a COVID-19 test by calling 119 or visiting the online government portal.