Updated Coronavirus Information
The Palace Gate Practice is still fully operational and remains open for our patients. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are primarily operating a telephone consultation service and our phones are answered as normal between 8.30 am and 6.00 pm. Our administrative staff are still able to answer your calls and deal with your enquiries.
Although routine appointments including health check-ups have been deferred following the Government’s and Public Health England’s instruction to stay at home, we are still available to manage urgent medical problems not related to Covid-19. If, after speaking to you, we assess that there is a need for a face to face consultation and physical examination, we will arrange for this to be carried out at the practice by one of our doctors. We have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of our patients and staff:
- Our team members wear gloves and masks.
- Doctors wear full protective equipment (PPE) when examining a patient and will see any patient in a designated examination area.
- All patients are triaged before an appointment is confirmed.
- Clinical areas are regularly cleaned and disinfected.
- Hand gel is available throughout the practice and staff wash their hands regularly.
If you need medication following a consultation or you simply need your repeat prescription, this will be arranged either posted directly to you or faxed to a pharmacy of your choice.
We can continue to refer you to specialists when needed. Many consultants are also initially assessing patients by telephone/video consultations. Many Private Hospitals are now supporting the NHS and are not functioning in their usual way, however urgent investigations can still be carried out.
Coronavirus/ Covid-19 Infection
The management of this pandemic in the UK is being coordinated according to advice from the Government and Public Health England (PHE). Please continue to obtain up to date information from www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
As your GP, we are able to consult with you by telephone and give you guidance on symptomatic treatment. You will be aware that around 80% of those infected will be able to manage their symptoms satisfactorily at home. Although the illness can be very unpleasant, the most significant complication experienced by patients with Covid-19 is one of breathing difficulty. If anyone of you experience significant problem with your breathing, you may need hospital support. This is only available via the NHS. No private hospitals are admitting private patients with Covid-19 complications. If you are uncertain about your symptoms, please contact the practice as we now have experience of supporting patients through their infection with regular telephone reviews.
Covid-19 Testing
There are 2 types of tests.
- A PCR Swab test. This tests for the presence of the actual nuclear material of the virus in the sample captured on the nasal/throat swab. This identifies whether someone has the virus.
- An antibody test. This is a blood test (can be a finger prick blood test) which looks for evidence that your immune system has responded following exposure to the virus. This can indicate current or past infection.
We feel that antibody testing is very useful and essential for the continued efforts to beat this pandemic. We have been trying for the last month to acquire these tests for you. Currently, fully accredited and approved testing kits are not yet available but we will update you and inform you when these tests are available.
We are all going through difficult times. We can assure you that we will do everything we can to support you through this period. It is important that you continue to exercise regularly. We know that this pandemic can cause mental health issues and many people are experiencing anxiety.
We are fully supportive of the NHS and applaud the work and dedication of all front- line staff and those looking after often very ill patients.
Best wishes from all of us at PGP.
Here are some useful links/websites:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system