MESSAGE FROM CHEW MEDICAL PRACTICE AND HARPTREE SURGERY 6TH APRIL 2020 – BANK HOLIDAY OPENING
Firstly, a big thank you from us all, for your understanding and patience over the last two weeks as we have changed the way we have consulted with you. We remain open to all problems but will continue to triage all consultations on the phone first whilst the Government regulations on social distancing continue.
This forthcoming Easter weekend, both surgeries will remain fully open on Friday 10th April (Good Friday) and Monday 13th April (Easter Monday). We have taken the decision to cancel these 2 bank holidays, along with most of the NHS, in order to ease the pressure, both on the out of hours service and A+E during this COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, for all urgent problems on Good Friday or Easter Monday please contact your surgery in the normal way between 8am – 6pm. On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th both surgeries will be closed but a full out of hours service will be available, alongside an additional specialist COVID service dedicated to the 3 valleys Primary Care Network (Chew, Somer and Cam Valleys) Both these services would be accessed via 111 at the weekend. Chew Medical Practice dispensary will remain open 9-12am on Saturday 11th as normal.
BANES CCG, council, virgin care and 3SG have also come together to form ‘The compassionate community hub’. This service seeks to assist those who are self-isolating or shielding and those that are clinically the highest risk people in our community, who are in need of help. This can be accessed 7 days a week, 9am – 5pm on 0300 247 0500. Support is offered in multiple areas including medication delivery, food, physical and mental well being, financial advice, housing, volunteering access, family support, public health advice and council services.
Finally, a plea from us to all to please stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Restrictions have been put in pace to combat the disease and people should only leave the house for
1) Shopping for basic necessities
2) Any medical need, or providing care for a vulnerable person
3) Travel to and from work, but only when you cannot work from home
4) Exercise – alone or with members of your household
Please share this message to community notice boards, social media groups, village shops or anywhere that is felt appropriate.
We send you our best wishes for the coming weeks and thank the local community for the great support that both surgeries have received.
Dr’s Fenn, Sephton and Alexander (Chew medical practice) and Dr’s Coppock, Parr and Robinson (Harptree surgery)