COVID-19 Statement JULY 2021

The Covid Pandemic has had such a huge impact on all our lives and ,along with everyone else we are really hopeful that things will return to  a more “normal” situation in the coming months.

Since  March 2020, we have put measures in place at Garden Lane Medical Centre so that we can keep patients and staff as safe as possible and we feel that for the time being, it is wise to keep these in place until we are confident that covid  no longer poses a significant risk.

An important part of this is to try to keep the number of people attending the surgery in person to a minimum. Right from the start of the pandemic we have been open for business and have been seeing people face to face whenever necessary but we will continue to offer a telephone appointment to most people in the first instance rather than booking them straight in to see a clinician.

This often allows problems to be dealt with effectively without attendance at the surgery but where it is necessary to see someone in person, it allows us to assess the urgency of the problem, to book them in with the right person and to assess if they can be seen in the main building or if it is safer to see them in another part of the building so as to avoid their being in contact with other patients in the waiting room.  

We will also continue to ask screening questions over the intercom before admitting people to the waiting area and will ask people attending to wear a face covering whenever possible.

The clinical staff will continue to wear PPE when they see patients and to take time to carefully clean equipment etc  after each consultation.

We believe  that these measure have helped to keep patients and staff safe for many months already and will continue to do so.

As things generally open up, it is inevitable that things will get much busier here. It is already evident that waiting times for hospital appointments have increased significantly. While most people have been very patient and understanding, we do appreciate that it can be frustrating that there is usually a 3-4 week wait for a routine appointment here.

We will continue to try our very best to deal with urgent issues as quickly as we can, but we do ask for your patience  

Surge Testing in Cheshire West (Updated 22nd June 21)

Surge Testing has been introduced in Cheshire West for those residents living or working in Postal code areas CH1 4 & CH1 3

Residents and employees in these areas are encouraged to seek PCR tests

There are two walk in testing facilities (no appointment needed) at Chester Cathedral and a Pop up testing bus at Cheyney Road, CH1 4BJ in the Senate House Car Park at University of Chester.

COVID-19 VACCINATION (updated 11th June 2021)

On Tuesday 8th June we held our last COVID Vaccination Clinic as a practice and in partnership with other Chester GP surgeries running the St Columba’s vaccination site.

If you are:

• you're aged 25 or over
• you'll turn 25 before 1 July 2021
• you're at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• you have a learning disability
• you're a frontline health or social care worker
• you get a Carer's Allowance, get support following an assessment by your local authority or your GP record shows you're a carer 

You can book for your vaccination via 119 or the national booking link (see below)

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/  

If you have had your first COVID vaccine at St Colombas Church Hall but for one reason or another were unable to attend for your second please contact 119 to arrange your second vaccine as our Vaccination site has now closed. 

NHS Health at Home Campaign

The NHS Health at Home campaign signposts you to the information you need to access NHS services online from home. As well as general assets for those with health concerns, ordering repeat prescriptions and video consolations, specific assets are now available for some long-term illnesses/vulnerable patients such as those with diabetes or asthma and pregnant people and new parents.

 PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED WITH US TO ACCESS THE E-CONSULT SERVICE

 This short Video clip can tell you more about the benefits of using E-Consult as an alternative way of consulting with your GP. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbg1AhkmZkU

Garden Lane Medical Centre Website

Welcome to our practice website, which aims to bring patient information to your fingertips. Through this website you can order repeat prescriptions, cancel existing appointments, register as a new patient and much more.

We have lots of information on this site about our practice - look across to the right at the "Further Information" pages for details of our clinics, how to register, how to make an appointment and everything else you will need to know to use our services.

On the Your Health , Long Term Conditions and Minor Illness pages there is lots of NHS approved information about medical conditions and illnesses, as well as advice on how to deal with minor illness.

VISIT OUR CARE HUB HERE

http://www.carehub.info/?practice=n81081