COVID-19 Patient Service Update

Following the UK’s successful vaccination programme, the NHS has updated their Infection Prevention and Control guidance with a move towards pre-pandemic policies.

Patients entering the surgery are no longer required to wear a face mask unless they have respiratory symptoms or are COVID positive. Patients with respiratory symptoms, such as a cough should continue to wear a mask. If you attend the surgery and have a cough our staff will ask you to wear a face mask. 

Health and care staff will continue to wear a face masks during appointments and treatment. Our non-clinical staff are no longer required to wear a mask during their normal duties, however they will do so if appropriate.

In light of national guidelines changing and social distancing rules beginning to relax the practice has reviewed how it provides services to patients. While we are still adhering to COVID-19 NHS Guidance and telephone triage will continue to take place, we are making changes to how patients access the building for booked appointments.

If you have an appointment booked to see the GP, Nurse or Healthcare assistant, please enter the building and book in at reception. Patients can now take a seat in the reception area (or stand socially distanced) and wait to be called into the consultation room by the clinician. Chairs are socially distanced and we ask patients not to turn up early for appointments. This is to make sure there is enough room in the waiting area for all patients at the appropriate time.

Patients should continue to self-isolate and get tested if showing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Many Thanks – The Whole Team @ Rainworth Surgery.