Important Information - Keeping You Safe

CONTACT US: We are experiencing a high volume of calls due to the lockdown situation. To contact the Patient Management Centre, please call 01691 676 496. Alternatively, you could email us at [email protected] and we will respond to you.

Please arrive at your appointment 5 minutes early. If you are late to your appointment this may result in cancellation and your appointment will have to be re-scheduled

Update Regarding Lockdown: Our clinics are still operating during lockdown. The Government recommend that appointments are still attended where possible.

PLEASE NOTE: Some surgeries are requesting patients wait outside for their appointment rather than in the waiting room. PML Patients will be collected by our clinician and taken to your appoitment. Please note: we try to ensure our clinics are run to time, however there may be instances when you could be waiting longer than 5 minutes outside for your appointment.

IMPORTANT – Patients recently returning from Abroad You cannot attend your appointment until after you have completing your quarantine. To check whether you need to quarantine and for further information on the rules for quarantine, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact our Patient Management Centre on 01691 676496

Screening of Patients for Covid-19	We will contact you to book your appointment. Please read these questions below as part of the screening for Covid-19. Are you / anyone in your family experiencing any of these symptoms: For COVID-19 these will all be new symptoms Do you have a new persistent cough? Do you have shortness of breath? Do you have a temperature? Do you have a loss of or change in smell? Do you have a loss or change in taste? Do you have a new rash? Do you live in a household with anyone who has any of the above or are you self-isolating? Are you, or anyone you have been in contact within the last 3 weeks, currently awaiting results from a COVID-19 test? If you answer YES to any of the above questions, please cancel your appointment and follow government guidelines or call NHS Test and Trace. Please can you contact us once you are symptom free or have finished your period of isolation, and we can re-book your appointment. Please also consider: Do you suspect you have previously had COVID-19 more than 3 weeks ago, and are you still experiencing residual symptoms? If so, please ensure you are tested. If your test is negative we can proceed with your appointment. Government guidelines can be found: *https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public*
Can I bring anyone with me to my appointment?	To minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 we ask that patients do not bring anyone to their appointment. If a chaperone is required there will be a HCA present in the clinic room who will act as the chaperone during your appointment Anyone accompanying you to your booking will not be allowed to wait in the waiting rooms, nor will they be allowed into the clinic room with you
Social Distancing - Before your Appointment	Current Government guidelines continue to stipulate social distancing of 2 meters where possible, or the minimum of 1 meter where 2 meters is not possible. Everyone should be following these guidelines up to 14 days prior to your appointment, which minimises the risk of you contracting or spreading Covid-19. Further information can be found: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
After Your Appointment	If you become COVID-19 symptomatic up to 3 weeks after your appointment with us, please contact us immediately -01691 676496 or email [email protected]
Face Coverings	All patients attending an appointment must come wearing a face covering. Due to the nature of our services, it is not possible for patients to socially distance during their appointment therefore, all patients will be required to attend clinics wearing a clean, face covering in line with Government guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home If you are exempt from wearing a face covering for medical reasons please advise our patient management centre before your appointment.
Hand Washing	Effective handwashing and hand hygiene is key to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. This simple task ensures you are reducing the risk of spreading the infection to others and must be followed up to 14 days prior to your appointment. We will ask you to wash your hands as part of your appointment. For effective handwashing technique please see the NHS guidelines - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
Temperature Checking	You will have your temperature checked via an infrared thermometer on arrival at your appointment
What if I need an interpretor/translator with me?	If you require a translator during your appointment, please notifiy our Patient Management Centre ahead of your booking During your appointment we will contact a telephone interpreting service who will be able to help translate during the booking You will not be able to bring someone with you to provide this service during your appointment. If you have any concerns, please speak to our Patient Management Centre