Northumberland GPs call on patients to get in touch with urgent issues

As the NHS across the country is dealing with the influx of Coronavirus, a huge amount of work is being undertaken by NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure that people continue to have access to help if they need it.

Whilst practices have had to adapt their daily way of working, urgent assessment and treatment is still required for people with non-coronavirus related illness.

Patients requiring treatment are being urged to contact their surgeries online or via telephone where possible to adhere to social distancing guidelines issued from the government.

Dr Graham Syers, Clinical Chair at the CCG said: “These are certainly unprecedented times for everyone and especially those working hard in our GP surgeries, pharmacies and wider NHS.

“We are really focusing on working together with our health and social care providers at this time to ensure all is done to minimise the impact of this disease.”

The CCG is working alongside the local authority, voluntary sector and community services to support people deemed to be in the “high risk” category and care home residents, ensuring their needs are met whilst they are asked to remain at home.

Dr Syers continued: “We are trying to support patients at home as much as possible and are looking at transport solutions, such as arranging local taxis for those who still need to attend their practice.

“Whilst people can still access the care services they need, we ask patients to be understanding as we may need to change opening times and close at short notice, possibly for weeks which means patients may need to be seen at neighbouring practices.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank the public for their co-operation as we navigate through this uncertain time.”

Government advice states people should not to come into hospital or their GP practice and stay at home if they have a high temperature (37.8 degrees or higher) and/or a new, continuous cough. They should only call 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.

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