HEALTH professionals at the Forest’s 11 surgeries are working closely together to manage the emerging coronavirus crisis.

A spokeswoman for the surgeries said: “Surgeries are taking a proactive approach in reducing the ‘footfall’ through their premises.

“Patients should still seek general advice on coronavirus by checking www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.”

Among the measures being taken by the local surgeries are:

Only carrying out essential and emergency treatment – this means routine appointments have now ceased.

Carrying out as much work as possible by telephone, this means almost all face-to-face consultations stopping.

Patients will be triaged and phoned by the most appropriate clinician – many GPs are doing this and phoning patients to discuss what they need.

Contacting patients over the coming days to cancel non-urgent nurse appointments, to discuss appropriate next steps and whether patients should attend the surgery as scheduled

Asking patients to visit their surgery website or notices at the surgery regarding routine repeat medication ordering.

The spokeswoman said: “Surgeries are under a great deal of pressure and patients are urged not to over order nor order items such as inhalers they have not routinely been using.

“Local surgeries saw a huge increase in request for these on Monday.”

GP surgeries are working together to establish ‘hub’ sites across the Forest of Dean to see patients if any surgery has to close for a short while or if local health needs change.

You may be asked to go to another surgery for your appointment.

If you are unwell you will be seen.

It is likely the doctor will be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment).

When patients are invited in for the appointment they may be instructed on where they are being seen, which part of the surgery they should use and they may have to wait in their car until being called in.

The spokeswoman said: “These are examples of the measures in place to protect you and reduce the number of patients coming into contact in the surgeries at any one time.

“It is important to remember that this is a fast evolving situation – the 11 Forest of Dean surgeries are working closely with all agencies, working together and bringing you the most up-to-date information.

“Only contact your surgery if it is an urgent problem – telephone lines are very busy and staff are dealing with a high level of calls – your call will be answered but it may take a little longer.

“You may be able to resolve your query by referring to the many useful websites such as your own surgery website, www.forestgpsurgeries.co.uk, NHS 111 or www.gov.uk

“Please be patient with staff.

“Everyone is working to their best ability to cope with this crisis, please be respectful.”