In order to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus infection and keep our staff and patients safe, ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MUST WEAR A FACE COVERING WHEN ENTERING THE SURGERY.

Whilst we ask visitors to wear face coverings for their own protection and for others, guidance states that the following groups DO NOT need to wear a face covering:

• Children under the age of 3
• Patients unable to put on or wear a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
• Patients with breathing difficulties and respiratory problems that may be exacerbated by wearing a face covering

A member of the reception team will come to the door and be able to help answer any question you may have.

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

Key Generic Messages

• If you need medical help, the NHS is still here for you.
• If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them either online, by an app or by phone to be assessed.
• If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111.
• If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999
• If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital.
• You should continue to attend your appointments, unless you have been told not to attend.

Prescriptions

• You can order your repeat prescriptions on the NHS App and through your GP surgery or pharmacy’s online service, where available.
• If you need to collect a prescription and have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating at home – please arrange for a friend, relative or volunteer to collect for you.
• To help us to keep supplying medicines to everyone who needs them, please only order repeat prescriptions in your usual quantities at the usual time.

Routine vaccinations

• It is important that you or your baby or child still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community.
• If the person needing vaccination has coronavirus symptoms or is self-isolating because someone in the household is displaying symptoms, please contact your GP practice for advice.

Specific Messages

Cancer Patients

• If you have a symptom that you are worried about, you must contact your GP Practice.
• Your clinician will discuss with you the benefits of starting or continuing your cancer treatment against the increased risks of contracting coronavirus.

Heart Attack Patients

• If you think you or a family member are suffering with the symptoms of a heart attack you must dial 999 immediately.
• If you or a family member develop symptoms such as heavy or tight chest pain that may spread to your arms, neck or jaw, or make you breathless, sick, sweaty or light-headed and that doesn’t go away, this could be caused by a heart attack. Dial 999 immediately.

Stroke Patients

• If you think you or a family member are suffering with the symptoms of a stroke you must dial 999 immediately.
• You can spot the symptoms of a stroke by using the FAST test:
  • Face – is the face drooping / fallen on one side? Can they smile?
  • Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
  • Speech – is it slurred?
  • Time to call 999 if you see any of the above signs

Pregnant Women

• If you are pregnant it is important that you still attend your antenatal appointments and continue to seek advice from your midwife or maternity team.
• If you are worried about your health or the health of your unborn baby, please contact your midwife or maternity team.

Parents of young children

• If you are worried about the health of your baby or child, please call 111.
• If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999

Mental Health

• NHS is here to support your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as your physical health.
• If you are concerned about the mental health of your child, please contact your GP or check online self-referral options for under 18 years olds at: www.nhs.uk/stress-anxiety-depression
• If you are facing mental health issues contact your GP or key worker, if you have one, and continue to access your mental health services as usual. We are also still open for new referrals, via your GP or online.
• If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety, you can get further information, including how to self-refer to psychological therapies at: www.nhs.uk/stress-anxiety-depression
• If you are facing a mental health crisis, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111.

Learning Disability and Autism

• If you need medical help reasonable adjustments will be made so you get the right care and support.
• Your local community teams and crisis support lines are available if you are worried or anxious.

Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen. The symptoms of hay fever are caused when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen. Common hay fever symptoms are:

• a runny, itchy and/or blocked nose
• sneezing
• itchy eyes

Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. Pollen contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

How to treat hay fever

Many hay fever symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medication at your local pharmacy.

• Steroid nasal sprayshelp to prevent or reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose and some can help to relieve watery eyes.
  Available from your local pharmacy.
• Antihistamineshelp to relieve a runny nose, sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Some types of antihistamines make you drowsy and are best taken before bed. Newer antihistamines are less likely to make you drowsy and are a common choice for children and people with milder or occasional symptoms of hay fever.
  Available from your local pharmacy.
• Decongestant nasal sprays and tabletsare used to unblock the nose. They should never be taken for more than a few days at a time.
  Available from your local pharmacy.
• Eye dropscan be used to treat itchy or watery eyes.
  Available from your local pharmacy.

If none of the above treatments are effective for you, please book an appointment to discuss other treatments.

Useful Links

• NHS– Hay fever
• NHS – Find your local Pharmacy
• Met Office– Pollen forecast

Click image to enlarge

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The current risk to the general public is moderate.

You can help too.

Germs can live on some surfaces for hours. To protect yourself and others:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
• Bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• If you have arrived back from an affected area within the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:
  • Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
  • Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country

This is the best way to slow the spread of almost any germs, including Coronavirus.

More information, including a list of the affected areas is available by logging onto gov.uk/coronavirus

6:30pm – 9:30pm weekdays, 9:00am – 5:00pm weekends

There are now more bookable GP appointments in Northampton, making it easier for you to get an appointment at a time that suits you including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

The Northampton GP Extended Access Service is an extension of your usual GP practice, it is not a walk-in-service, you need to make an appointment through your usual GP practice.

The service is located on the ground floor of Highfield Clinical Care Centre, Cliftonville Rd., Northampton NN1 5BD.

For more information please visit: www.northantsgpalliance.com

Moulton Surgery is participating in the National Diabetes audit. For further information on this audit please read the following leaflets:

• View the poster
• View the leaflet

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