Sheffield health centre cancels appointments in bid to prevent spread of coronavirus

Swallownest Health Centre announced yesterday that all ‘face-to-face’ appointments, including any which were pre-arranged, have been cancelled ‘until further notice’.

With coronavirus spreading, and the death toll at 35 yesterday, the centre said there will be ‘major changes’ to how the it operates over the next few weeks.

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In a statement, the centre said: “As you are aware, we are doing our best to minimise non essential patient attendances. This is to reduce the spread of coronavirus and protect our most at risk/vulnerable patients that need to come to the surgery for essential procedures, whilst also protecting our amazing and valuable staff.

“Appointments: In light of the current Covid pandemic please can we ask that you share with friends and family the information posted on here as it comes directly from the surgery. Please be patient with us as we try and support the community in the best way.“All face-to-face appointments on Monday, March 16 have been cancelled. If you had a pre-booked appointment please note that you will be contacted by telephone either by a GP or nurse to discuss this and they will arrange the best way forward.

“This will be the case for the rest of the week and for all appointments until further notice.

“Prescriptions: We want to limit the number of patients attending the surgery where possible. If you have prescriptions that are awaiting collection please note we can send them to the pharmacy of your choice, but you will need to inform us of this and where you would like them to go .

“We would encourage as many patients as possible to register to order online where they can. We will ask you a number of questions over the phone to establish your identity so that you don’t have to attend to show ID.

“If you have an urgent medical problem, call the surgery and you will be contacted by a clinician.

“Those patients that need medical attention will be seen once assessed over the phone by a clinician.”