Frequently Asked Questions & Information
We understand this is a very difficult time right now, but we have provided information and answers for the many questions you may have.
Sending Children Back to School
Please click on the following useful links regarding sending children back to school.
COVID-19 - talking to children and families about returning to school: guiding principles
Opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June: guidance for parents and carers
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health [RCPCH] has guidance on this issue, which is of understandable concern to many patents; this is available at:-
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-talking-children-families-about-returning-school-guiding-principles
Sending Children Back to School
Advice for parents or carers of babies less than 3 months old during CoronaVirus 2020-England.pdf
Advice for parents or carers of a child during CoronaVirus 2020-England.pdf
UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING ONLINE ACCESS
There is a new way for you to order your repeat prescriptions or view your medical recor, just follow this link - https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/!
The reason as to why future patients are encouraged to use the NHS app is because it is more secure than emailing in your photographic ID. As patients should not be coming down to the surgery, there is no safe way to access identification and grant online access. The NHS app is the most secure way to request online access or repeat prescriptions during these unprecedented times. We understand the certain limitations regarding this (individuals who do not have a smart phone, etc.) we will do all we can to guide you through this. If you are struggling to access the NHS app or do not have a smart phone/device then either email in your request or post it through the letter box, as well as any other queries you may have. Online access will still be accessible for those who gained it before 9/4/2020, so if you already have a username and password please carry on as normal.
Wearing Face Masks
Here is some information on how to properly make and wear a face mask - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering#wearing-a-face-covering
It is now mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport and from the 24th of July in shops.
Some people can't wear face mask or covering because of a disability or severe distress. The link below provides the Learning Disability Exemption Cards, Autism Exemption Cards and Parent and Child Exemption Cards. Download the PDF below to print your card. There is no requirement for evidence of exemption, it is sufficient for an individual to self-declare this and there is no requirements for General Practitioners to provide such letters.
Please visit the Government website, as below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions-to-wearing-a-face-covering-where-they-are-mandated
Face Covering Exemption Cards
Helpline
We have a helpline number to aid those who may be having difficulties such as; help with good, financial guidance, social isolation, mental health, safety advice, and support with accessing technology.
More information can be found here: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-support/
Click on the following link to read more about Meals on Wheels! A website where you can order meals and have them delivered to your door:
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/support-in-your-own-home/meals-on-wheels/
Phone number: 01903 718893
Email: westsussex.office@apetito.co.uk
Information on shielding and caring for people at highest risk during COVID-19
Please find the updated information on shielding groups: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-ease-guidance-for-over-2-million-shielding
Regarding Repeat Prescriptions:
To order repeat prescriptions you can either: post your request through the letter box at our surgery OR gain ONLINE ACCESS by following this link -
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/
At the moment are the moment we are not giving more than two months worth of prescriptions.
IF THE MEDICINE YOU ARE REQUESTING IS NOT ON REPEAT PLEASE CAN YOU FILL OUT THE REASON AS TO WHY YOU WANT IT. THIS WILL SPEED UP THE PROCESS.
GETTING YOUR RESULTS
The phones are very busy at the moment, but there are other ways you can access your bloods.
Information Regarding Sick Notes:
If you require a sick note due to isolation, you do not need to ring the surgery to get this from a GP. Please go to https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ and you can print one off to give to your employer.
More information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Regarding a Scam
We are aware that people are trying to scam, by ringing patients and telling them that they are us. Do not give any information out unless you are 100% sure you are talking to a member of staff from Broadwater Medical Centre.
Urine Specimen Samples
If you are bringing your urine to our surgery, please download and fill out this form before hand, thank you.
Contraceptive pill:
If you are looking to request a prescription for the contraceptive pill then please fill out the following form and email it into us at: cwsccg.broadwater-worthing@nhs.net
FORM: FORM FOR CONTRACEPTIVE PILL
LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
We know this is a very stressful time, so here is a link to look up some coping mechanisms and how to cope with anxiety: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Some useful links:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou
Please click the following link for guidance and isolation advice for those awaiting/undergoing testing: CORONAVIRUS: GUIDANCE AND ISOLATION ADVICE
Here is a list of articles/guides outlining how COVID-19 may potentially impact specific groups:
Survivors of sexual violence and abuse:
https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/online-resources-available-during-social-distancing-and-self-isolation/
Victims/survivors of domestic abuse:
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-safety-advice-for-survivors/
https://survivorsforum.womensaid.org.uk
Harassment and hate crime:
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/harassment-and-hate-crime
https://www.stophateuk.org
LGB+ community:
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/covid-19-–-how-lgbt-inclusive-organisations-can-help
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52039832
https://www.gscene.com/news/new-study-looks-at-social-impact-covid-19-virus-may-have-on-the-lgbtq-community/
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/03/26/uk-black-pride-postponed-coronavirus-covid-19-lgbt-people-colour-phyll-opoku-gyimah/
Trans and non-binary people:
http://www.galop.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Resilience-in-Isolation.pdf
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/03/23/coronavirus-trans-healthcare-gender-reaffirming-essential-surgery-cancelled-vice/
People of colour:
https://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/corona-virus-will-hit-bame-communities-worse
https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/26/if-we-12452978/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/01/coronavirus-weaponised-way-to-be-openly-racist
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/09/chinese-in-uk-report-shocking-levels-of-racism-after-coronavirus-outbreak
Disabled people:
https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus/
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/coronavirus
Autism/Aspergers:
https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus.aspx
https://www.autistica.org.uk/news/impacts-of-covid-19-for-autistic-employees
OCD: https://www.ocduk.org/ocd-and-coronavirus/
Eating disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/coronavirus
HIV: https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19
Visual and hearing impairments:
https://www.signhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/
https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/coronavirus-response/
https://www.rnib.org.uk/sight-loss-advice/covid-19-five-ways-rnib-services-can-help
Older people-
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/
Carers:
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/Inclusive-responses-for-difficult-times-caring-responsibilities
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19
Parents, including single parents:
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/coronavirus/
Young people
https://youngminds.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/youngminds-publishes-advice-for-young-people-and-parents-on-mental-health-impact-of-coronavirus/
Pregnancy and maternity:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy
https://maternityaction.org.uk/covidmaternityfaqs/
Care leavers:
https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/for-young-people/care-advice-line/coronavirus-advice/
Students estranged from their family:
https://standalonecharity.podbean.com/e/coroavirus2/
Faith groups:
Muslim:
https://mcb.org.uk/mcb-updates/coronavirus-guidance-for-mosques-and-madrassas/#individuals
Christian:
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
https://www.methodist.org.uk/coronavirus/
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/
Jewish: https://www.thejlc.org/covid19
Hindu: http://www.hfb.org.uk/item/53-corona-virus-health-awareness-announcement.html
Sikh: http://www.citysikhs.org.uk/2020/03/coronavirus/
Gender:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/coronavirus-men-women-immune-symptoms-outbreak-a9364641.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-economic-impact-women-finances-mental-health-a9428206.html
Equalities more generally:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/human-rights-and-equality-considerations-responding-coronavirus-pandemic