STAY CLEAN, STAY SAFE
We are going through unprecedented times with COVID-19. However, there is no need to panic, by following government advice and our hygiene tips below, give your family the highest chances of staying safe. Please take a look at the newsletter here
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
We are trying to get back to a new normal at The Reynard Surgery. We must continue to operate our Doctor First system which involves clinical assessment via telephone or video link. This is carried out to determine which patients should be seen face-to-face in the practice. Should you be asked to come to the surgery, please follow the advice given to you by the clinician. We have now set up a one way system inside the practice. This involves a ONE IN, ONE OUT policy, for access to both reception and Dispensary. Please only enter the building if there is nobody in front of you. You may need to wait for someone to exit first.
Upon entering the building you will be advised to wear a face mask (please bring your own if possible or we can supply one for you if necessary) and use the hand sanitiser, which is supplied at the entrance. Follow the arrows and signs to guide you. Stand at the designated areas in front of the screens. Try not to lean or touch the surfaces. Leave the building following the arrows and discard your mask in the bins provided.
You may still need to queue under the front canopy at busier times. We are trying to minimise the risk to both patients and staff, and keep the infection rate down.
DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.
These are:
- A high temperature.
- A new, continuous cough.
- Anosmia - a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Should you have symptoms, you will need to request a test via 119 or visit the NHS website.
We are looking forward to seeing patients back in the surgery and appreciate their understanding at these unusually difficult times.
UPDATE FROM WEST SUFFOLK COUNCIL REGARDING TRANSPORT AND PARKING FACILITIES AT THE MILDENHALL HUB:
There will be ample parking at the Hub, including parking for people with disabilities close to the entrance.
For those not arriving by bus or car, the planning consent contains the following condition:
"A sustainable transport route or routes, to include links from the High Street via Church Walk and / or other suitable links to site, and improvements to facilitate pedestrian movement across Wamil Way, shall be completed in full in accordance with details previously submitted to the local planning authority and agreed in writing, prior to first use of any part of the local development hereby approved, or in accordance with a timetable previously agreed with the local planning authority."
There will also be ample cycle parking at the Hub.
URGENT REMINDER FOR PATIENTS
We have become aware that patients are not contacting the surgery with serious symptoms since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is to assure all patients that we are open and available for both telephone and video consultations. Please contact the reception team if you experience any of the following or feel the need to speak to your GP:
- Breathing problems
- Chest pains
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine/stools
- Lump in breast
- Unexplained weight loss
CARERS WEEK (8th - 14th JUNE)
Carers week 8th - 14th June 2020. Are you a carer? Am I? Is your colleague? Carers don't wear a badge and may not even label their role, but they're vital to our world. This carers' week , recognise our county's carers for the role they play in our homes and communities. Take a look at what is going on our website.
ANTIBODY TESTING
In line with National guidance, antibody testing (to see if you have had Coronavirus) will be rolled out in Suffolk in a safe and phased way. It has begun with NHS hospital staff. We will keep you updated as to when this test is available to different patient groups. Meanwhile, please may we request that you do not ask your GP about availability. This will help us to help you with all other urgent calls. We will make an announcement as soon as we can.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES FROM SIGN HEALTH
The Deaf Health charity SignHealth is committed to making sure Coronavirus information is available in British Sign Language. The content on their website is updated daily and a new video is added. Please click the link to access their videos.
ALL PATIENTS/VISITORS ASKED TO WEAR FACE COVERING
All patients/visitors are being asked to wear mask when entering the practice. This can either be a mask (medical or homemade). If you do not have a mask, a mask will be provided for you. If you are interested in making your own mask Gov.uk have created a helpful guide to help.
VIDEO CONSULTATIONS
The Reynard surgery is now offering video consultations. Due to COVID-19 we are asking patients to attend the surgery as little as possible and this is another tool we are now using to make this possible. To book a video consultation, download the app Airmid UK on your mobile. If you already have an online booking login use the same details on the Airmid UK app and it will show you all the available video consultations slots with our clinicians.
For more information and the links to download the app - visit our appointments page.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING TEMPORARY CHANGES TO SURGERY OPENING HOURS
Due to the current COVID-19 situation. It is with regret, due to staff shortages, as from Monday 30th March we will be temporarily closing The White House Surgery until further notice. This is our branch surgery located in Mildenhall. Should you need any further information regarding anything to do with the closure, please contact The Reynard Surgery on 01638 552211.
ISOLATION NOTE TO GIVE EMPLOYERS
Use this service if you have been told to stay at home because of Coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.
This service is only for people who:
- have symptoms of coronavirus and have used the 111 online coronavirus service
- have been told by a healthcare professional they have symptoms of coronavirus
- live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus.
If you are not sure if you need to stay at home, get the latest NHS advice on coronavirus.
If you have to stay at home but feel well enough to work, ask your employer if you can work from home. If you can work from home, you will not need an isolation note.
You can also use this service for someone else.
START NOW
STAY AT HOME GUIDANCE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
Please read the latest guidance regarding staying at home and advice for all patients on Immunosuppressants, issued by Public Health England.
Stay at home guidance
Immunosuppressants
FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENTS CANCELLED
Please be aware that from Monday 16th March, all routine face to face appointments have been cancelled and amended to telephone consultations.
However the following appointments are still available (to patient who are not symptomatic):
- Children's vaccinations
- Smears
- Some dressings
- Cancer related injections
Please DO NOT come into the surgery to make an appointment. We will continue with child vaccinations. However we ask the following: Do NOT bring siblings or additional family members to the appointment. One adult per child. Additional adults will be kindly asked to wait outside the surgery. Wait in your car if you can. A member of staff will call you in. Do NOT enter the building until you are called.
If you need to collect your medication from the dispensary and have any flu like symptoms, please send a friend or family member on your behalf.
Please contact the reception team if you have any questions.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus. You will need to stay at home if you have the following symptoms:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You DO NOT need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Read advice from NHS England about staying at home.
Use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if:
- You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home.
- Your condition gets worse.
- Your symptoms DO NOT get better after 7 days
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
eConsult NOW LIVE
eConsult enables NHS based GP practices to offer online consultations to their patients. This allows patients to submit their symptoms or requests to their own GP electronically, and offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker.
The Reynard Surgery eConsult page is now live.
WE NEED YOU!!
JOIN OUR PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG)
We believe that the provision of good healthcare depends on cooperation between the provider (us!) and service user (our valued patients), and we are expanding our Patient Participation Group. Your opinion matters, and you can make a positive contribution to the services we provide. If you are interested in joining our PPG, please contact the Surgery and leave a message for Jade or Judith.
Even if you do not wish to join a formal group, we are always interested in hearing your opinions and ideas about how we can improve our service to you.
Speak to our reception staff today for more information.