Coronavirus (COVID-19)
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND ANY SITE IN PERSON UNLESS YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.
Please wear a face covering when attending any of our sites.
Covid Vaccine Update
We are currently making provisional plans for how we might deliver the COVID vaccine.
Please try to keep our phone lines free for patients who require urgent medical attention. We will post updates on our website and Facebook page as soon as we have further information.
We would like to hear your opinion on the Covid vaccine, if you would like to complete a short patient survey.
We are currently making provisional plans for how we might deliver the COVID vaccine.
Please try to keep our phone lines free for patients who require urgent medical attention. We will post updates on our website and Facebook page as soon as we have further information.
We would like to hear your opinion on the Covid vaccine, if you would like to complete a short patient survey.
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss / change in your sense of smell or taste, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days. Please do not attend your GP practice.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
You should book a Covid test if you have symptoms (available via the NHS website or by calling 119).
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
You should book a Covid test if you have symptoms (available via the NHS website or by calling 119).
Open for Business
Health is presently uppermost in everyone’s minds. It is important to remember that there are significant health concerns beyond Covid-19.
Patients with symptoms that may suggest cancer still need to be investigated. Patients with chest pain that could be a heart attack still need emergency treatment. A patient who has appendicitis still needs treating. Children who are poorly or a concern still need assessing. The surgery remains open to help. Treliske Hospital also has capacity to continue managing urgent issues. You help us to help you by making contact sooner. Earlier treatment invariably gives better results.
The St Austell Healthcare team are very grateful for your support. We continue to be committed to care for you, whatever the nature of your problem. If it turns out that you have something that is not urgent, we can reassure you. We may suggest waiting until Covid restrictions are lifted to review you.
But if you think your symptoms need urgent attention, we need to know about them so we can help. If you are unsure, you can use the NHS website, www.nhs.uk, for guidance and information.
The safest way to contact the surgery is by phone (01726 75555) or using eConsult, a simple form on the practice website. You can order prescriptions online, or via email to prescribing.sahc@nhs.net. By staying away from the surgery sites, unless attending an appointment, you are helping to fight Covid-19.
Many consultations can be held by telephone or video link. If we do ask you to attend an appointment in person, you will be given clear instructions on which site to attend and any special arrangements that are in place. The Carlyon Road Health Hub will be seeing some patients with Covid symptoms, and these patients are isolated from the rest of the Hub site where patients with other health problems are seen. Please follow any instructions given by staff upon arrival.
Thank you for your support.
Health is presently uppermost in everyone’s minds. It is important to remember that there are significant health concerns beyond Covid-19.
Patients with symptoms that may suggest cancer still need to be investigated. Patients with chest pain that could be a heart attack still need emergency treatment. A patient who has appendicitis still needs treating. Children who are poorly or a concern still need assessing. The surgery remains open to help. Treliske Hospital also has capacity to continue managing urgent issues. You help us to help you by making contact sooner. Earlier treatment invariably gives better results.
The St Austell Healthcare team are very grateful for your support. We continue to be committed to care for you, whatever the nature of your problem. If it turns out that you have something that is not urgent, we can reassure you. We may suggest waiting until Covid restrictions are lifted to review you.
But if you think your symptoms need urgent attention, we need to know about them so we can help. If you are unsure, you can use the NHS website, www.nhs.uk, for guidance and information.
The safest way to contact the surgery is by phone (01726 75555) or using eConsult, a simple form on the practice website. You can order prescriptions online, or via email to prescribing.sahc@nhs.net. By staying away from the surgery sites, unless attending an appointment, you are helping to fight Covid-19.
Many consultations can be held by telephone or video link. If we do ask you to attend an appointment in person, you will be given clear instructions on which site to attend and any special arrangements that are in place. The Carlyon Road Health Hub will be seeing some patients with Covid symptoms, and these patients are isolated from the rest of the Hub site where patients with other health problems are seen. Please follow any instructions given by staff upon arrival.
Thank you for your support.
Vulnerable and Extremely Vulnerable Groups
We are all having to change how we live because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are practicing social isolation, and many are “vulnerable”, “extremely vulnerable” and shielding. What do these all mean and why are we doing these things?
People are defined as vulnerable or extremely vulnerable to protect them from coronavirus. Covid-19 spreads by close contact and breath. By keeping away from other people, social isolation, the chances of staying well improve. Vulnerable patients might be more ill if they became infected. They should minimize the time they spend beyond home. Very vulnerable patients, who would do least well if they became infected, should be shielded. Shielding involves protection by avoiding any exposure outside the home.
However vulnerable to covid-19 you are, this defines how much you should be isolating to protect yourself. It is not a factor in managing you if you were to become infected. Decisions on your care will be based on you, how unwell you are and what treatment will help you. If you become seriously ill, your medical team will discuss your options with you. If hospital treatment is needed, Treliske has capacity for patients who need to go to hospital.
It may be a good time to think about what you would want if you become unwell. Is there any treatment you would refuse? Are your affairs in order? Useful things to consider would be:
- Do you want to go to the hospital?
- Do you want to have resuscitation if you needed it?
- Do you want to allow a relative to have permission to discuss your care?
There are ways to record this in your medical notes. It helps you to have the medical care that you wish. It is worth ensuring your loved ones know how you feel. The below document might help you to organise your thoughts and to share this information with your loved ones.
We are all having to change how we live because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are practicing social isolation, and many are “vulnerable”, “extremely vulnerable” and shielding. What do these all mean and why are we doing these things?
People are defined as vulnerable or extremely vulnerable to protect them from coronavirus. Covid-19 spreads by close contact and breath. By keeping away from other people, social isolation, the chances of staying well improve. Vulnerable patients might be more ill if they became infected. They should minimize the time they spend beyond home. Very vulnerable patients, who would do least well if they became infected, should be shielded. Shielding involves protection by avoiding any exposure outside the home.
However vulnerable to covid-19 you are, this defines how much you should be isolating to protect yourself. It is not a factor in managing you if you were to become infected. Decisions on your care will be based on you, how unwell you are and what treatment will help you. If you become seriously ill, your medical team will discuss your options with you. If hospital treatment is needed, Treliske has capacity for patients who need to go to hospital.
It may be a good time to think about what you would want if you become unwell. Is there any treatment you would refuse? Are your affairs in order? Useful things to consider would be:
- Do you want to go to the hospital?
- Do you want to have resuscitation if you needed it?
- Do you want to allow a relative to have permission to discuss your care?
There are ways to record this in your medical notes. It helps you to have the medical care that you wish. It is worth ensuring your loved ones know how you feel. The below document might help you to organise your thoughts and to share this information with your loved ones.
| Sudden Illness Document |
Sick Notes
For any period of illness less than seven days, you are able to complete a self-certification certificate and provide this to your employer.
In light of the current Coronavirus situation, a number of employees may be required to self-isolate at home even in the absence of any symptoms of an illness in the employee. In these cases, your GP will not be abIe to issue a sick note as the time off work is not due to an illness. Many employers will be understanding if you are required to self-isolate for 14 days and may not require a sick note. You can contact NHS 111 online to request confirmation of the suspected Coronavirus diagnosis if needed.
Sick notes requested for other reasons will be emailed to patients, to avoid the need for you to collect it from the surgery.
Thank you for your support in this time, and for allowing our doctors to focus on caring for acutely unwell patients.
For any period of illness less than seven days, you are able to complete a self-certification certificate and provide this to your employer.
In light of the current Coronavirus situation, a number of employees may be required to self-isolate at home even in the absence of any symptoms of an illness in the employee. In these cases, your GP will not be abIe to issue a sick note as the time off work is not due to an illness. Many employers will be understanding if you are required to self-isolate for 14 days and may not require a sick note. You can contact NHS 111 online to request confirmation of the suspected Coronavirus diagnosis if needed.
Sick notes requested for other reasons will be emailed to patients, to avoid the need for you to collect it from the surgery.
Thank you for your support in this time, and for allowing our doctors to focus on caring for acutely unwell patients.
Tiers
These useful guides provide information on what is allowed in each tier. Updated advice for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable is available on Gov.uk.
These useful guides provide information on what is allowed in each tier. Updated advice for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable is available on Gov.uk.
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Useful Links
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To keep up to date with the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites: NHS Gov.uk World Health Organization Self-Isolation Pack The rules, support and advice for self-isolation: https://www.healthycornwall.org.uk/media/zkepvo0d/covid-information-self-isolation-pack_301020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1dcqdlVmGjs3sVvXMp36b-LlRkjEG3RRIHSNjlRvv3kePs3sUyPa_w1NU Children's book A free book written to explain Coronavirus to children, with excellent illustrations. https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus-ABookForChildren.pdf Blind or partially sighted New social distancing rules are challenging for everyone. The increasing need to follow visual cues may make this particularly challenging for people who are blind or partially sighted. Our social prescribing team are contacting our visually impaired patients to explain some of the changes to the way that we are working, and to offer support. If you or a loved one are facing challenges in accessing the surgery, through visual impairment or other reason, please do get in touch. The following website has some further useful information: www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/coronavirus-information Advice for Parents Including features of other illnesses to look out for: www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national/coronavirus |
Book a test You should book a Covid test if you have symptoms (via the NHS website or by calling 119). Business The Growth Hub is offering advice to businesses affected by closure: https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/ Myth busters The World Health Organization helps to clear up some common Covid myths: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters Cancer Treatment and Coronavirus Answers to common questions about cancer treatment and coronavirus: www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus/cancer-treatment-and-coronavirus NHS Covid-19 vaccine research registry Sign up for information on the new COVID-19 vaccine studies. There is no obligation to take part in any study and you can change your mind and remove your contact details from the registry at any time. For more information please visit: nhs.uk/researchcontact Domestic Abuse At home should not mean at risk. Find out how to get help: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help The Zoe App is a research focused COVID-19 symptom app. By daily logging of whether you get symptoms or not, the COVID-19 Symptom Study provides invaluable scientific information about the disease, who it affects and why, and what recovery looks like. https://covid.joinzoe.com/ |
Health at Home An NHS website on how to access healthcare online, with information about things like video consultations: www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/ RCHT Hotline A hotline and email address has been set up to support non-COVID-19 patients who are experiencing a worsening of their symptoms whilst waiting for an appointment or treatment. The details will be taken by a call handler and escalated to an appropriate speciality clinician for advice and guidance. Patients with worsening symptoms should call the hotline on 0800 035 7777 or email rcht.cornwall.patienthotline@nhs.net. Hospital Waiting Times The current wait times for treatment at The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust are available on their website: /www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/visiting-hospitals/outpatients/im-waiting-for-an-outpatient-appointment/ Nutrition advice The British Dietetic Association have published really useful information about nutrition and COVID-19, including FAQs and links on diabetes, pregnancy, food safety, taking vitamins, and malnutrition risk for those in isolation: www.bda.uk.com Nutrition advice NHS Kernow advice for adults who may be at risk of poor nutrition due to self-isolating, including some local contact details for help in accessing food: www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/your-health/nutrition/adults-at-risk-of-poor-nutrition/ Benefits A handy guide from Cornwall Council on benefits and Coronavirus: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/…/ben…/benefits-and-coronavirus/ Cornwall Bereavement Network Bereavement services and support in Cornwall: www.cornwallbereavementnetwork.org |
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Would you like to volunteer to help vulnerable / isolated people?
The Social Prescribing team at St Austell Healthcare have developed a system of support for vulnerable/isolated people during the pandemic. We have partnered with Volunteer Cornwall who have a Flu Friends volunteer scheme. Flu friends are friends, relatives, neighbours and local volunteers who could help people if they fall ill or are self-isolating. They can collect medicines and other supplies, walk the dog or become a telephone befriender. If you or any friends / family members would like to volunteer to help the vulnerable during this difficult time then please complete the form below and send it by email to Gemma: gemma.sutcliffe@nhs.net | ||
A Big Thank You
Heartfelt thanks to all of the support that the community is showing during these challenging times, both to each other and to the NHS.
Heartfelt thanks to all of the support that the community is showing during these challenging times, both to each other and to the NHS.
St Austell Air Cadets donated a marquee to enable "drive through" INR blood tests for patients.
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St Austell B&Q donated PPE for our staff to use.
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Donations of PPE have also been gratefully received from 3D Printing Cornwall, Callywith College, Cornish Fixings Co, Cornwall Covid 19 Protective Shields, The Roseland Academy, ADS Window Films Limited, and more. The Eden Project have donated snacks and cold drinks for staff. Other donations have included hand sanitiser from Elite Cleaning Services, and hand cream from Shaz Johns. There have also been many kind words - thank you.