Coronavirus Patient Information 

Following advice from NHS England, Public Health, the government and the local CCG, the surgery has made the decision to put some extra measures to minimise the risk to staff, patients and their families. We have been advised to postpone all non-essential work.  The following must be adhered to:-

• Under no circumstances are patients or their representatives to attend the surgery in the first instance.
• All contact must initially be via the telephone, please bear with us as we answer your calls we are trying our best to have as many staff as possible to answer the calls.
• If any patients are showing symptoms of a high temperature (37.8 or higher) or have a continuous cough, you are to self-isolate for 7 days. There is no need to contact 111 unless your symptoms are not manageable at home.  If you require a COVID-9 test please visit this website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/.  All members of your household are to self-isolate for 14 days.
• If you need to speak/see a clinician you will be booked a telephone appointment in the first instance.  If appropriate the clinician will organise a video call or/and a face to face appointment 
• When waiting for your appointment please sit away from other patients where possible.
• If repeat prescriptions are needed, patients must use the online facility or call POD (Prescription Ordering Direct) free on 0808 1647678 opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am-4pm for further information please visit their wbsite on on the link provided POD https://www.eastsussexccg.nhs.uk/your-care/medicines-and-pharmacies/prescription-ordering-direct-pod/
• Prescriptions must be collected from your pharmacy, please ensure that you have updated the surgery or POD with your preferred pharmacy.  Paper prescriptions will not be issued. Phase 4 will soon be in place which means that all prescriptions will go electronically except for control drugs.  You will be given a token to take to a pharmacy if you do not have a nominated pharmacy. Please inform reception which pharmacy you would prefer your prescriptions to go to.
• Appointments with the nurses will be face to face and telephone appointments, the nursing team will contact you before your appointment to ensure you are symptom free and if they can deal with your appointment over the telephone.
• Anyone attending the surgery will be asked some questions and your temperature will be taken before being allowed into the practice, please read our signs on entering the surgery.  Please do not lean over the desk and respect the personal space of staff.
• Hand sanitising must be completed before entering and leaving the surgery as a minimum
• All patients who visit the practice will now be required to wear a face covering 
• All online appointments have been suspended