COVID-19: Resources

COVID-19 has meant we have had to change the way we work. As many of you will be aware we have adopted, and evolved the way in which we operate as a Practice. We ask that patients where possible, use the eConsult system. This enables us to more closely match our, at times limited resources, to areas of clinical urgency. We are better able to react to the current challenge of maintaining a safe service in Pandemic times.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms ie a fever or any concerns regarding cough, loss or change in taste or smell, please stay at home and if you require medical assistance complete an econsult via our website or phone 0345 337 9911.

If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have Coronavirus symptoms.

If you do not have access to the internet please call 0345 337991 and listen carefully to the advice and telephone options:

Press

1. if you have a life threatening condition
2. to book nurse appointments, or for general enquiries
3. for other Healthcare Professionals
4. to access test results. this line is open from 10am to 2pm. Please note, we cannot give results to a third party without prior written consent from the patient.
5. to contact the Pharmacy Team for prescription queries. This line is open from 9am to 4pm.

If you wish to order a repeat prescription by telephone please call 01467 627777 and leave your order on our automated service which is available 24 hours.

Please be aware that depending on the following:

• Staffing capacity. Both clinical and administrative
• Patient demand

The Practice may need to move to dealing with urgent calls only at varying times during a day. It is not possible to change our telephone message at short notice.

All patients should note all telephone calls are recorded.

GPs and their teams cannot issue vaccination exemption certificates.

Further information on the vaccination exemption certificates scheme, including information on safe vaccination and routes to obtain an exemption can be found on the Scottish Government and NHS Inform websites.

Alternatively you can phone the free NHS Covid helpline on: 0800 028 2816

If you are experiencing any of the three classic COVID 19 symptoms it is really important you arrange a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test.

You must take a PCR test if you have any one of the three symptoms of coronavirus. These are:

• a high temperature or fever
• a new continuous cough
• a loss of, or change in sense of smell or taste

A new, continuous cough means coughing for longer than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

It may be tempting to use a Lateral Flow Device, especially if these are readily available at home,  but these should only be used for asymptomatic testing. This is because Lateral Flow Device tests have a lower sensitivity which means you are more likely to get a false negative.

A PCR test maximises the likelihood of correctly identifying COVID 19 infection.

Lateral Flow Device tests are used as a surveillance tool, helping us spot cases of COVID 19 which may otherwise go undetected because an individual does not have any symptoms.

For more information see COVID 19 Testing on the NHS Inform website.  

The COVID19 Vaccination Programme is currently being rolled out across NHS Grampian and the rest of the UK. The vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily if it affects you. Find out more from the NHS Grampian COVID-19 vaccination website.