Visiting the surgery this winter

As the weather changes and we head into winter cases of respiratory illnesses are already increasing.  Respiratory illness can be very serious for some, and even mild cases can result in you missing work or school.  Respiratory illness spreads quickly and easily.
 
We politely ask that if you have a respiratory illness (see below for symptoms) that you let us know when booking your appointment or that you ring the bell when attending the surgery.  To protect vulnerable patients in the waiting room, and to keep our staff well, we may ask you to wait in your car.  You may want to consider wearing a mask while you have symptoms, and we would encourage you to wear a mask in the surgery. 
 
This advice applies to any respiratory illness, not just COVID.  Symptoms of a respiratory illness, e.g. coronavirus (COVID-19), colds and flu include:
 

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

 
If you have any of these symptoms, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.  If you have to visit the surgery, please let us know about your symptoms before entering.

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