Patients feeling vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak are being given the opportunity to connect with a neighbourhood team that may be able to help.  Adur and Worthing Councils together with colleagues in the NHS and volunteers are currently establishing neighbourhood teams which will help vulnerable people who are isolated and in need of help with practical issues such as help with food, financial guidance – help with money, for example benefit claims, social isolation – someone to talk to, mental health support, safety advice – scams, support with accessing digital technology.

Cases and support needs are accessed and actioned as necessary:  Please visit: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-support/

If you are unable to go online you can ring a hotline to register and someone will complete this form on your behalf on 01903 221222 which will be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.  You should expect some delays if you choose this option

Once you have filled in the form you needs will be assessed and if deemed appropriate passed to one of our Neighbourhood Teams who will arrange to contact you.

DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF:

* NEW CONTINUOUS COUGH AND/OR

* HIGH TEMPERATURE

Please see information on the Public Health website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

or https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

What is coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus.  As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.  Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

If you have coronavirus symptoms:

DO NOT go to a GP Surgery, pharmacy or hospital

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home

Testing for cornoavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home

If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.

If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.  The 14 day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk) coronavirus service.  If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111.  For a medical emergency dial 999.

I

We are in advance talks with a very experienced GP and, if things go to plan, hope he will be able to start in May.  We would then apply to have permission to re-open the list for new patients.

The practice area has not changed.  The list size has remained over 3400.

More information will be available when all the paperwork and legal aspects are resolved.

Dr. R. Sayers