Coronavirus: Latest advice from South Shields GP surgeries

It comes as the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the UK with Government advice urging people to avoid the likes of pubs and restaurants in a bit to prevent the spread of the illness.

Doctor’s surgeries across the country are also working to impose temporary measures to protect patients and staff during the coronavius pandemic.

In a bit to tackle the situation many surgeries in South Tyneside have said they are now offering phone appointments and asked those with coronavirus symptoms to stay away from the practice.

As of Tuesday, March 16, here is the latest on the action taken by South Tyneside practices:

Colliery Court Medical Group in Boldon Colliery issued the following advice to patients on its website: “Due to recent confirmed cases of the Coronavirus within the local area we have temporarily suspended the availability of online appointment booking.

“This will enable our reception team to identify any symptoms where patients may need to be directed to 111 for further information.

"Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP Practice if you’ve visited or travelled through mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand and have symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath within two weeks of returning, or if you have symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath after being in contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus."

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Farnham Medical Centre in South Shields issued the following statement on its Facebook page: "We have temporarily stopped routine appointments and ask that you ring on the day that you need to be seen, and all requests for same day appointments will be triaged by a GP.

“Please adhere to the latest advice on coronavirus which can be found on the link below.

“Please do not come into the surgery if you have any symptoms."

Imeary Street Surgery in South Shields issued the following statement on its website: “Due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 or Coronavirus pandemic, we are following national guidance and changing the way we operate until further notice.

“Any patients who have flu-like symptoms OR who have had contact with someone confirmed as having COVID-19 OR if you have travelled to or returned from one of the high risk countries within the last 14 days with a fever, cough or respiratory illness MUST phone 111.

“No testing will occur here, so please do not come to the surgery if you think you are affected as this puts both other patients and our staff at risk.

From Monday, March 16, all patients who ring for an appointment will be given a telephone appointment with a clinician and if a face-to-face appointment is deemed to be necessary, you will be seen at the practice in a safe way.

“Please do not just turn up if you feel unwell we will ask you to leave and make a telephone appointment.

“Some non-NHS work may not be processed during this period, for example, some insurance forms, PIP appeals, private medicals, copies of medical records etc.

“Our ultimate aim is to keep patients and staff safe and to do this we must change the way we deal with non-NHS work.

“We do have other ways in which to help you manage your health conditions, such as video consultations or via eConsult (click the big blue box when appears when you open our website to get started).”

The Glen Medical Group in Hebburn said on their Facebook page: “We are avoiding patients attending the surgery, where possible, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community.

“Please note that medical issues are still being dealt with.

“We are in the process of converting face to face appointments to telephone consultations.

“Thank you for being patient during this time. We will keep you updated as frequently as possible.”