COVID-19 guidance to continue in GP practices
GP practices in North Yorkshire and York are set to keep COVID-secure arrangements in place when restrictions elsewhere are eased on Monday 19 July.
All staff and patients are being asked to continue to wear a suitable face covering and comply with social distancing and hand hygiene guidance as before.
Practices will continue to offer a blended mix of face-to-face, telephone and virtual appointments – with face-to-face appointments prioritised for those who need to be seen in person.
Hospital trusts in North Yorkshire and York have also confirmed there will be no changes to their COVID-secure arrangements.
Dr Nigel Wells, NHS Vale of York CCG Clinical Chair, said: "Lockdown restrictions may be being lifted, but the pandemic is not over.
“Infection control and staff and patient safety are paramount, especially at a time when coronavirus infections are increasing so quickly in the local area.”
Dr Sally Tyrer, Chair of the North Yorkshire and York branch of YorLMC, added: "GP practices are under extraordinary pressure at the moment.
"Demand for appointments is exceptionally high and at the same we are beginning to see more staff absences because they are unwell or have been asked to isolate because they're deemed to have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID.
"The measures in place to keep patients safe will also help protect staff and ensure we can continue to care for people when they need us."
Patients visiting their GP surgery are being asked:
- Wear a face covering at all times (unless you are medically exempt) and adhere to social distancing guidelines
- Wash or sanitise your hands before entering the building and use the hand sanitiser provided where it's available
- Do not visit if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have been instructed to self-isolate or have received a positive COVID-19 test
Vale of York approaches 500,000 vaccine doses milestone
Leading healthcare professionals in York and North Yorkshire are urging people to remain cautious despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England, saying "the pandemic is not over".
The call comes as the Vale of York closes in on a significant landmark in the vaccine rollout, with residents already having received almost 480,000 doses since the programme began in December 2020.
With most people having had at least their first dose, everyone is encouraged to keep up with their appointments as second doses are brought forward to eight weeks after the first so they have the best possible protection against the virus.
As cases rise across the region, it is important to stay alert to the danger of the virus, with around 1 in 3 not showing symptoms and spreading it without knowing. Those who have had both jabs can still catch coronavirus and suffer from long COVID which can take several weeks to recover from, but can last longer.
Dr Nigel Wells, Clinical Chair of NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Hundreds of thousands of residents in the Vale of York have had a vaccine which is very positive. However, everyone needs to remember that the pandemic is not over.
"This virus will be with us for the foreseeable future, meaning that it is important that we all continue to act carefully and remain cautious to prevent its spread. Please continue to regularly wash your hands, wear face coverings in crowded spaces and stay home if you have symptoms."
Professor Mike Holmes, Chair of Nimbuscare, said: "Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the rollout and helped us get us to this point. We are so close to reaching the 500,000 doses milestone, but we don't want to stop there.
"Now is the right time to keep pushing forward and ensure our communities are protected against this virus. If you have not had your vaccine yet, make sure you book online or attend a drop-in clinic as soon as you can."
Restrictions in England were eased on Monday 19 July; however, using the NHS COVID-19 App to check in to venues is strongly advised to help stop the spread of the virus. People can keep themselves and each other safe by regularly testing and booking a PCR test if they develop symptoms.
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