We want to reassure all our patients that we are still fully open and here for you.
We have simply made changes to how our patients are assessed to ensure the safety of both Patients & Staff.
Most issues are assessed remotely initially, this may be via the telephone, video consultation, photos or using our E-Consult service. Once information is gathered remotely the Clinicians will then consider if a face to face appointment is necessary.
If you are asked to attend the surgery we want to reassure you of the steps we have introduced to ensure your safety.
We ask that patients wherever possible attend alone, wearing an appropriate face covering and at the time of the appointment to reduce any patient traffic in the waiting area.
We try to reduce the amount of time spent in the Clinicians room by taking all history remotely prior to your face to face appointment. PPE is also worn by the clinicians.
Temperatures are checked on arrival at the practice to ensure no asymptomatic of COVID-19 patients enter the practice.
COVID-19 VACCINATION (updated 19th March 2021)
As a practice and in partnership with other Chester GP surgeries running the St Columba’s vaccination site, we will now only be booking appointments for our patients to receive their 2nd COVID Vaccines. If you are aged 50 or over or are classed as Clinically Vulnerable and have not yet been invited for your 1st Vaccine dose, please follow this link to book your 1st appointment at one of the Mass
Vaccination Centres:
Chester Racecourse being the closest https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
If you had your first vaccination with a practice, the practice will contact you in due course to arrange your 2nd Vaccination 11 to 12 weeks after your first vaccination.”
Please do not contact the practice to get an appointment unless the letter comes from the practice. We are currently receiving a high number of calls about the national NHS letters that have been sent.
Information on the vaccine is available on the NHS.UK website
Cheshire CCG has made this really helpful 'What you need to know' guide for all questions relating to the COVID-19 Vaccination, Vaccination clinics & Volunteering
https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/news/news-stories/covid-19-vaccination-programme-what-you-need-to-know/
Mental Health Crisis Helpline
People who need urgent mental health support can call the Cheshire and Wirral mental health helpline on 0800 145 6485. Launched during the early response to Covid-19, the phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and open to people of all ages – including children and young people.
COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATION
“The Government confirmed that a COVID-19 status certification system will be developed over the coming months which could allow higher-risk settings to be opened up more safely and with more participants. Over the coming months, a system will be developed which will consider three factors: vaccination, a recent negative test, or natural immunity (determined on the basis of a positive test taken in the previous six months). Events pilots will take place from mid-April to trial the system. All pilots are checking COVID status, which will initially be through testing alone but in later pilots, vaccination and acquired immunity are expected to be alternative ways to demonstrate status.
GPC has been discussing these proposals with the Government and NHS bodies to ensure there would be a minimal impact on GP practices, and this has been accepted. We need to avoid the expectation that people can secure evidence of vaccination or testing by obtaining a letter from their GP practice.”