Coronavirus: Chest and Heart unit new dedicated surgery for flu-like symptoms

Any islanders with symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness or breath or flu-like symptoms) should phone their usual GP surgery first and should not attend the Chest and Heart unit, which is in the grounds of the PEH, without an appointment.

Everyone should still follow Public Health advice regarding self-isolation and lockdown.

In response to the rapidly evolving situation with coronavirus, the three Primary Care Practices (Queens Road Medical Practice, Island Health and Healthcare) together with Health & Social Care and the senior management of the hospital have had to review all services provided by Primary Care and ensure that they best utilise the available clinical resource.

So, with effect from Friday 3 April, anyone who needs to be seen by a GP for the symptoms will be seen at the Chest and Heart unit.

The Longfrie Surgery will no longer be used for this purpose and will be closed until further notice.

Doctors from the three Primary Care Practices will be based at the Chest and Heart Unit.

Any patients with these symptoms should call their usual GP Practice in the first instance and they will be appropriately directed, possibly for an appointment at the Chest and Heart unit.

Patients with minor symptoms who do not need to see a GP should continue to follow Public Health advice and self-isolate.

This step is being taken to help manage demand and enable the island’s primary care practices to provide timely and safe care to all patients with these symptoms.

It is also to give those patients with symptoms the option to see their GP without fear of infecting others and those without symptoms the reassurance that they can attend their normal surgery for appointments without mixing with potentially infected patients.

Primary Care hope that by moving the service to a more central location, it will make it more accessible for more islanders.

Patients who usually attend the Longfrie Surgery should call their usual surgery number if they want to make an appointment and will be advised accordingly.

Anyone who requires specific advice on the coronavirus is encouraged to call the Public Health helpline on 756938 or 756969.