Patient Update of Practice Procedures

Posted on April 21st, 2020

Dear Patient

Please note that due to the current circumstances around COVID-19 the practice has implemented temporary working changes to ensure the safety of patients and staff are kept to a minimum risk.

For the latest COVID Advice please click here.

We are currently operating ‘telephone triage’ only clinics if you feel you need to see or speak with a Clinician, this may include Video Consultations when necessary.  Please phone as early as possible to be added to the list.

Patients are not to come to the Surgery unless they are told to by a clinician or member of staff.  You may be refused entry if you haven’t been told to come to the surgery.  There are many options available as an alternative to ensure patients do not come to the surgery.  Please see below.

Opening Times

The Practice is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm for the foreseeable future.  We strongly advise you do not come to the surgery unless they have an appointment arranged through the practice.

The surgery is operating a ‘locked front door’ policy and any visitors will have to buzz at the front door.  No one will be allowed on to the premises if they or anyone from there household is currently showing COVID-19 symptoms.

If you have an appointment, please come alone and only bring someone with you if critically necessary.

All non essential appointments have been cancelled until further notice.

Advice or Ordering Prescriptions

For advise or to order a prescription please do not come to the surgery.  You can telephone our reception for any medical advice or to order a Prescription.  We also have e-consult which you can access on our homepage of our website, you can c0omplete and receive medical or administrative advice direct from clinicians within 2 working days.  You can also email us on WICCG.Hamilton@nhs.net or text us on 07800007773. 

In order for us to ensure patients don’t have to come in to the surgery to collect prescriptions we are asking all patients to nominate a Pharmacy.  By nominating a pharmacy any prescriptions completed will be sent electronically straight to the pharmacy ensuring you don’t need to collect the prescription from us.  Please nominate a pharmacy if you haven’t already.

Please use any of these alternatives above instead of coming in to the surgery.

If your query is COVID-19 related please access the NHS 111 COVID page firstly for advice and links. 

Dental Advice

Please see our Dental Advice Post in Latest news for more information or click here.

High Risk Letters Received

If you have received a high risk letter informing you to shield yourself, please follow these guidelines.  It is very important that you do not ignore this letter.

These letters are sent using NHS Guidelines.  If you are classed as a high risk patient then you would have received a letter from either NHS England, a consultant your under the care of or your GP.  If you haven’t received a letter then you are not classed as high risk and do not contact us asking why.  If you feel you are at risk then you can self isolate at your own discretion.

General Advice

Our Clinical and Admin Staff are currently calling as many patients as possible who we feel may be at most risk during COVID-19.  We want to ensure you are coping well and everything is ok during this difficult time.

In the mean time, if you feel you need general advice or support while isolating or you feel you are not coping well or feel lonely during this time, we have Wellbeing Practitioners who can give you a call to help you with support and link you to available local groups.  Please contact the surgery to request a call from a Practitioner.

We wish for all our patients to stay safe and healthy during this time.