Contrary to very inaccurate reports from certain media outlets, GP surgeries across the UK have been open and extremely busy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our doctors and nurses have worked tirelessly throughout this period, including some bank holidays and weekends, to keep Wilmslow residents safe and healthy. Wilmslow Health Centre has even taken on work from hospital departments that have reduced their services during the pandemic and GP workload has increased by up to 40% compared to this time last year.
Right at the beginning off the pandemic, Wilmslow Health Centre and neighbouring practices collaborated to set up a Covid-19 Hot Hub Site at Wilmslow Health Centre and assessed and managed Covid-19 patients in the community, taking the pressure off hospital services. Practice staff have even deferred their annual leave in order to accommodate the extra workload and keep services running for our patients through these difficult and unprecedented times.
Our doctors and nurses ARE seeing patients but only after careful risk assessments have been performed to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. When possible, consultations are conducted remotely to minimise the risk of Coronavirus transmission whilst on the premises. When appropriate, patients are still seen on the premises taking appropriate precautions to preserve patient and staff safety.
In the last two months alone, over 24000 patient consultations have been conducted, including over 1500 face to face encounters just at weekends.
GP surgeries across East Cheshire are NOT closed and they have NEVER closed. They are open for business and are busier than they have ever been.
