Coronavirus Information

Children and Coronavirus

At this challenging time, it is extremely important for you to know that COVID-19 is unlikely to make your child unwell, but they like everyone else might be infectious so staying at home when well remains the message. However, all the ‘normal’ illnesses that can make children severely unwell still remain and there is a major risk that parents may delay bringing their child to the attention of a healthcare professional even if they are unwell because of concerns about COVID-19. GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done for children.

If you are not sure if your child is unwell and whether they need to be seen, click here https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national  call 111 or contact your GP.

For information about crying babies, click here http://iconcope.org/parentsadvice/.

If your child appears severely unwell and advice is not quickly available call 999 or take them to A&E as you would in other times.

Click on the link below for various helpful support organisations that can help during coronavirus:

Covid 19 Support Organisations

CV-19

What To Do If You Have Symptoms

Individuals who have a new continuous cough OR a high temperature of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of symptoms. If someone has serious symptoms they cannot manage at home they should use NHS 111 online (people should only call NHS111 if they cannot get online).

After 7 days of self-isolation, people who feel better and no longer have a high temperature can return to their normal routine. If they have not had any signs of improvement after 7 days and have not already sought medical advice, they should use NHS111 online (people should only call NHS111 if they cannot get online) before they leave their home or let visitors in.

Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean someone must continue to stay at home for more than 7 days.

DO NOT VISIT THE SURGERY

For Information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

NHS111 Online: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19

Changes to Services

In response to the corona virus we have had to change the way patients access our service. This may result in delays in getting through to the surgery.

We are sending all repeat prescriptions direct to your nominated pharmacy, if you have not nominated a pharmacy it will go to the pharmacy closest to your home address.

You will still need to request your medication from the surgery each month.

Thank you for your support and co-operation.

Isolation/Sick Notes

Click here to go directly to 111 online where you can get an Isolation Note if you have been advised to stay off work due to the Coronavirus

You do not need a separate note from a GP.

If your employer does require a letter you can download one below:

Understanding COVID-19

Below are some useful videos to help you understand what Coronavirus is and what you should be doing to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Treating yourself at Home

During this time it's really important that our patients make every effort to treat minor illnesses at home before contacting our surgery, where understandably our phone lines are extremely busy. There are a number of things you should do before contacting us to ascertain whether your condition is something you can treat at home or whether you will need to be seen by a clinician.

Becoming unwell can be a very scary experience, however if you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control. We have listed below two useful resources for adults and children to give advice on what you need to do depending on your symptoms. Please make use of them not only during the COVID-19 outbreak but also year round to ensure that we are saving appointments for those patients who really need them.

Adults - 111 Online

111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally. 

It is one of several digital NHS services that are empowering people to manage their own health and care.

https://111.nhs.uk

Visit 111.nhs.uk, enter your age, sex, postcode and main symptom and you will then asked a series of questions about your health problem. 

You can: 

  • find out how to get the right healthcare in your area, including whether you need to see a GP or seek urgent care
  • get advice on self-care
  • get a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional if you need it

Children - HANDi App

If you child becomes unwell during this time or indeed anytime throughout the year, we highly recommend downloading the HANDi App.

The app has been developed by paediatric consultants and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions:

  • Diarrhoea and vomiting
  • ‘Chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup
  • ‘Chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthma
  • High temperature
  • Abdominal pain
  • Common newborn problems

For those with an iPhone please either click https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/handi-taunton/id969445171?mt=8  or alternatively search for HANDi Paediatric on the Apple App Store.

For those with an Android phone please either click https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myoxygen.handi.taunton or alternatively search for HANDi Paediatric on the Google Play Store.

Support for your long term condition during COVID-19

Here we have collated a list of useful resources to support you with your long-term condition during the Coronavirus pandemic, from information regarding how Coronavirus affects your condition to support lines and apps, we've included everything we think you might need to better support and inform you on how to self-manage at home.

 

COPD/ Emphysema/ Bronchitis

Asthma

Chronic Kidney Disease 

 

Sickle Cell

 

HIV

 

Cancer

 

Diabetes

 

Chronic Liver Disease

 

Chronic Neurlogical Disease

Looking after your Mental Health during COVID-19

In this time of uncertainty and change, it's normal for us to feel scared, anxious or depressed. For those with pre-existing Mental Health conditions, the current climate may trigger some of these emotions, and for those that don't have pre-existing Mental Health conditions the current climate may trigger some of these emotions for the first time, and that alone can be a scary experience. If you find yourself struggling with your Mental Health, please contact the surgery who can book you in for a telephone consultation with one of our experienced Mental Health practitioners. 

The BBC have put together a useful artical on how to protect your Mental Health during COVID-19 which you can read here

Below is a list of helplines and support groups who can offer expert advice.

Anxiety UK

Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK

A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.

Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.

Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Men's Health Forum

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.

Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

No Panic

Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.

Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

OCD Action

Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.

Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge

Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk

OCD UK

A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.

Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Website: www.ocduk.org

PAPYRUS

Young suicide prevention society.

Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays)

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

Rethink Mental Illness

Support and advice for people living with mental illness.

Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)

Website: www.rethink.org

Samaritans

Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

SANE

Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. 

SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)

Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare

Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum

Website: www.sane.org.uk/support

YoungMinds

Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.

Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Abuse (child, sexual, domestic violence)

NSPCC

Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.

Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline)

0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Refuge

Advice on dealing with domestic violence.

Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)

Website: www.refuge.org.uk