The Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership issued a statement (set out below) earlier today thanking the community for their support during this very difficult period whilst also explaining their focus and outlining some of the chenges to working practices that this crisis has forced them to make.
After nearly two weeks of reorganisation and changing work practices, the Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership is configured to meet the challenges we will all face during the coming months.
Our first acknowledgement must go to our patients. We have switched from Face-to-Face appointments to remote consultations, and this has been a success, mainly because of the cooperation of our community.
The attention of our team is now focussed on identifying those in the community who are most vulnerable, for what is known as ‘Shielding’. Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely at risk by minimising all interaction between these individuals, and others. We will be contacting patients who meet the criteria to offer advice on how they may protect themselves.
Although we are increasingly confident of our ability to meet what lies ahead, there are some difficulties. Our Dispensary has been overwhelmed by demand and patients will have noticed that the hours of opening have changed to allow processing of prescriptions to take place. Collection of medicines is now between the hours of 10 o’clock and 4 o’clock. Personal Protective Equipment has been identified as a problem and much reported in the Press.
Recent acts of unprecedented generosity have solved that for us in the short term. A generous parent of a Marlborough College pupil has donated facemasks, and the College itself has emptied its science labs of eye protection. The College has also offered facilities and two of its medical people, the Paramedics, have volunteered for duty in the NHS.
Volunteers have also joined the KAMP team, most notably, two offspring of one of our GPs. The youngest helping to ease the pressure in the Dispensary, and the other a brand new doctor.
Finally, a word on your kindness. A simple note was stuck to the door of the Marlborough Surgery this morning. In felt tip was written a simple phrase of love and support. Such sentiments really make all the difference – thank you.
Kennet and Avon Medical Practice, 26 March 2020
GWH prepares for the COVID-19 peak: restricted visits, free parking, staff support & great support from the local community
