Published Tuesday 6 July 2021 at 10:39
GP practices in Lancashire and South Cumbria are open and continue to provide services as they have done throughout the pandemic. This means that for patients, their GP practice is open and providing GP services, with face to face appointments available to those who need them.
The threat of infection from COVID-19 still exists within our communities, and locally patients are being asked to continue to follow guidance in place and take the necessary precautions such as wearing face coverings and practicing good hygiene.
GP practice buildings are public buildings and as such must be kept COVID-secure. Your GP practice will already have a process in place for managing entry into the premises to help minimise the risk of anybody spreading the virus. Please continue to follow this.
New ways of providing GP services have been introduced in order to maintain access to your GP practice team while protecting you, others and staff. Triage (making an assessment of your condition and prioritising care accordingly) is an important part of how GP practices work. This has always been in place but has been vitally important during the pandemic.
Dr Mark Dziobon, local GP, and Medical Director of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Groups, said:
GP practices are open and have been providing GP services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They have learned during the pandemic, that they can conduct consultations very well with the vast majority of patients using digital technology.
The majority of common conditions can be assessed and diagnosed by your Doctor by telephone or video consultation. They are experienced and skilled in doing this. Using technology like this will help to protect you, your family and loved ones – and GP practice staff from the potential risk of the virus. For many people, telephone and video consultations offer a more convenient way of speaking with a healthcare professional.
GP Practices have been busy throughout the pandemic continuing to provide support to patients as well as being an important part of the COVID vaccine delivery programme. Patients are being reminded that staff are here to help and should be treated with kindness and respect.