Patient Info Guide

Covid 19 / Corona Virus

Dear Patients,

Given the outbreak of Covid19 we have temporarily changed how we are operating appointments in the practice in order to minimise the risk of spreading the virus and hence protecting patients and staff alike. Please take the time to read the information below:

Symptoms, Signs, Prevention and Self Isolation:

For up-to-date advice regarding the symptoms of Covid19 and how best to protect you and others from the virus please visit the dedicated HSE website:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

Phone calls:

Please be aware that we are experiencing a significant increase in the volume of phone-calls received and we would be very grateful if you can remain patient when ringing the practice. We will answer all calls in turn. Bear in mind our email service (info@cssdoctor.ie) is monitored throughout working hours and is an alternative means to contact us.

Practice Hours:

The practice will remain open as per usual on all working days Monday to Friday 8am-5pm– this will not change (excluding bank holidays).

Appointments:

To minimise the risk of spreading Covid19 and to prioritise patients most in need we are limiting appointments to acute care only – if you have any acute illness do not hesitate to contact the practice and we will arrange an appointment for you to be reviewed as appropriate. If however you were planning a routine review we would appreciate if you could postpone the review until such a time that Covid19 is less of a risk to you and others.

All requests for appointments will be triaged. If you have any symptoms suggestive of Covid19 (cough, fevers, shortness of breath, aches and pains) your request will be sent to a doctor who will call you back and discuss your symptoms in more detail. The doctor will decide on whether an appointment is appropriate and advise you what to do next. The doctor will get to your call as soon as possible but be aware given the volume of calls that there may be a wait.

If you suspect you have Covid19 please note you can fill out our online Covid19 form where you can detail your symptoms and concerns. When submitted the Covid19 forms will be transferred to a doctor for triage who will contact you in turn.

When you are attending for an appointment please be aware that we are operating a virtual waiting room. When you arrive at the practice check in by either ringing reception or step into the porch so that our receptionists can see you.

If the nurse/doctor is free you will be seen straight away. If not you will be asked to wait in your car until the nurse/doctor is free to see you – a staff member will contact you when to come in and you can proceed directly into the clinical room. We appreciate this will take time getting used to but it is designed to protect you and staff from all unnecessary exposures. It has worked very well to date.

Testing for Covid19:

Where appropriate and where there is clinical concern a doctor will refer you to be tested for Covid19. We do not carry out these tests on site – do not attend the practice to be tested. You do not need to attend the practice to be referred for testing – a doctor will decide on the need to refer for testing over the telephone triage.

After being referred for testing a member of public health service will contact you advising you where and when the test will be carried out – please be aware that due to the high demand this may take a number of days. The result of the test will be returned to us and we will communicate the results to you directly. If referred for testing please remain in self isolation until the result is communicated to you. If your symptoms deteriorate while awaiting the result of the test then contact us immediately.

Blood Tests:

Routine blood tests will be postponed and rescheduled for a later date. Where necessary we will of course undertake blood tests as required. If you are unsure whether your blood test can wait please do not hesitate to contact us and we will advise accordingly.

Prescriptions:

We are inundated with requests for prescriptions – please be aware we will remain open during the Covid19 crisis as will pharmacies. You will be able access medications as required. Please allow at least 48hours for a prescription to be prepared as we have to prioritise clinical issues. When ordering a prescription please specify your pharmacy of choice – when your prescription is prepared it will be picked up by the pharmacy or emailed to your pharmacy of choice. We ask that you do not attend the practice to collect the prescription.

Childhood Vaccinations:

It is more important than ever that your baby/child receive the routine schedule of vaccinations. Accordingly we will be continuing appointments for childhood immunisations – please contact the surgery in advance to arrange an appointment.

Medical Certificates / Social Welfare Certificates:

We are acutely aware of the current economic impact of Covid19 and appreciate the importance of having social welfare payments organised as soon as possible. We will be completing all social welfare certificates online – you do not need to collect the social welfare certificate. We will require your PPS number in order to complete the online application. You will need to complete the IB1 form and send it to social welfare services – we have left these forms in the porch should you need to collect one.

We have received a large volume of requests for medical certificates for employers – please be patient, it is taking some time to get through the large volume of requests. Where a medical certificate is appropriate and required we will email you scanned copy of the medical certificate once we receive an email address – again we ask that you do not attend the practice to collect.

Medico-legal / other Documents:

Unfortunately given the significant increased demand on our services we have to prioritise the above services. We will, time permitting, complete medico-legal documents and other document requests in turn. Please appreciate however that it will take longer to complete such documents that would normally be the case.

From all of us at Castle Street Surgery we would like to thank you for working with us to minimise the spread of Covid19.

Please click here for Covid 19 / Corona Virus Testing Form

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