CORONAVIRUS ADVICE & INFORMATION
Covid-19 Update to all Patients - 04.02.21
Covid Vaccination Clinics:
Patients will have received or will shortly receive a letter detailing their date, time and venue for Covid Vaccination. If for any reason this appointment is not suitable then please contact the Vaccination Team on the phone number provided in the letter.
You can also reschedule your appointment online at the following link:
You will need the details from the letter you have received.
Please do not contact the Practice regarding appointments or venues as we are not involved in these plans.
The weather is currently unpredictable and although we want everyone to receive their vaccination please do not put yourself at risk to get to a venue if the weather is poor, use the phone line / online link to change your appointment. These clinics are being run daily and availability will be there.
Thank you.
Previous updates:
You will be aware that Aberdeen City has gone into Lockdown following a cluster of positive cases in the area.
GP Practices at this time are putting a pause on any increase in services and we are reducing where possible face to face contact, this is to protect our most vulnerable patients.
We are still here to support patients as best as possible and ask that you continue to use our current Triage system and telephone us. We will Triage and the most suitable clinician will contact you.
We ask that you do NOT visit the Practice unless you have a pre-arranged appointment. We will be contacting patients in advance to ensure that you are physically well and have not been contacted by the Test and Trace Team prior to any pre-arranged appointment.
Please be aware that we are doing this to ensure the best safety to patients and staff. The Team at Laurencekirk Medical Practice have been working continuously throughout this pandemic to provide the best service we can during these uncertain times.
It’s important that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home and book a test. Do not leave your house until a negative result is received or – if COVID-19 is detected - after the required isolation period has ended.
If you are told you are a contact of a COVID-19 case and do NOT have symptoms, do not try to arrange a test. Please follow the self-isolation guidance provided by the Test & Protect team or visit www.nhsinform.scot
If you believe you may be a close contact of a detected case but have not yet been contacted by the Test & Protect team, please do not worry unduly. It is a comprehensive service and the team are getting in touch with confirmed contacts as promptly as possible.
You can find more information on Scottish Government Page below:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-measures/
You can keep up to date with any changes to the Practice on our website:
https://www.laurencekirkhealthcarecentre.co.uk
Thank you.
If youor a family member have symptoms of Coronavirus for which you NEED to obtain medical advice, please contact NHS24 on 111 who will assess your symptoms and advise you on what you should do next.
DO NOT come into the practice unless we have specifically asked you to do so or you have a prearranged appointment with a clinician.
- If you are asked to come to the practice, please DO NOT come if you have symptoms that could be related to the virus. These include, but are not restricted to; a cough, shortness of breath and cold/flu symptoms.
- We ask if patients with a scheduled appointment become unwell with relevant symptoms that they do not attend and contact us in advance to cancel or convert to a telephone advice.
- All patients will be asked screening questions by Reception staff.
- We have suspended online appointment booking.
- Do not call the practice or 111 for an isolation note in Scotland. If you are self-isolating and need a note to give to your employer you can obtain one here; https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
- As always, patients should self-certificate for other absences up to 7 days.
- We will not issue recommendation letters for holiday cancellations. We can also not offer opinion on whether to travel. Please refer to Foreign Office for advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- For update to date information and advice please look at the NHS inform website; https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
- We now have NHS Near Me Video Consulting in place, a clinician will discuss this with you where required
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information about Coronavirus is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus including an interactive tool and information about a helpline for asymptomatic individuals with general enquiries: 0800 028 2816
There is a Q & A on coronavirus available via the World Health Organisation website at https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
For the latest advice and updates from the UK Government visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public and information from the Scotish Government is available at https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19
Helpline for those who do not have family or community support
A helpline has been set up to provide essential assistance to those who do not have a network of support, but who are at high risk if they contract coronavirus (COVID-19).
The helpline is for anyone one:
- cannot get online
- is over 70
- disabled
- requires the support of mental health services
- is pregnant
- receives a flu jab for health reasons
The service offers help to people in these categories who do not have family or existing community support.
The helpline - 0800 111 4000 - operates during core working hours of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, while plans are developed to extend it to operate for a longer period each day.
Callers from Laurencekirk area will be automatically connected to Aberdeenshire Council who will support them to access the service they need, such as:
- essential food and medication
- links to local social work services for vulnerable children or adults
- emotional support
- contact with local volunteer groups
For more information please the see the Scottish Government news announcements at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-vulnerable-people/
and
https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-those-at-high-covid-19-risk/
Psychological Resilience Hub
This is available to offer a support mechanism for any member of staff or the public who may feel overwhelmed, upset or personally affected by the current situation.
This includes:
- Those who are affected in any way due to the consequences of Covid-19
- Those in the shielding group who are to remain at home for 12 weeks and are struggling (underlying health conditions which places people more at risk from Covid-19)
- All staff from HSCP and NHS staff who are not based in acute wards at ARI (as there is a different team for them)
- Care Home staff and community support staff and home-carers
To assess the Psychological Resilience Hub for information go to: http://covid19.nhsgrampian.org/
For anyone who may have difficulty accessing the Psychological Resilience Hub online, assistance can be provided by calling 01224-550200 (Mon - Fri 8am-5pm)
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/