North Yorkshire GPs thank patients for adapting to new systems during coronavirus outbreak

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, GP practices across North Yorkshire have had to quickly adapt.
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Over the past few months the day-to-day routine of a GP practice has changed with staff and patients seeing a very different approach.

NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has shared how frontline staff at local GP practices and their patients have been affected by the outbreak.

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All practices have had to make significant changes to the way they work in a very short space of time, which present new experiences both practically and emotionally.

Stock image. JPI MediaStock image. JPI Media
Stock image. JPI Media

Melanie Dunwell, Practice Nurse Manager for Whitby Group Practice, explained: “Personally I’ve felt better for having a very different challenge to rise to.

"This has caused an unprecedented change to our ways of working and I feel proud to be part of this challenge.

"In addition, I feel the practice team as a whole have been working more closely together and it has made us appreciate one another’s roles.”

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GP practices are advising patients that they can still access the care they need but there is still be a way to go before they resemble ‘the norm’:

Melanie added: “I would like to remind patients that General Practice is open; but we have reduced face to face appointments.

"It’s not the right time to sort out minor problems patients have been experiencing for ages but if you have a new symptom that is worrying you we are here and we are happy to advise you.”

Practices across the county have moved to a telephone triage of patients whether they need to see a nurse, health care assistant or doctor.

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To minimise risks to staff and patients, remote consultations with patients by telephone, video and online are happening as much as possible.

Control measures are in place, such as temperature checks and PPE, for instances when a patient does need to be seen face-to-face.

In response to how well patients appear to be coping with the changes, Dr Rebecca Owen, Harewood Medical Practice GP said: “I think generally our patients have responded very well to the changes.

"They have been understanding and lots have expressed gratitude about the measures we have put in place to keep them safe.

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“The most striking difference is the reduction in daily calls to the practice. The demand for appointments has reduced. It would seem the social distancing has also worked to reduce the spread of other infections. I feel that the patients have taken notice of the advice and are trying to only use the services when needed.”

Dr Charles Parker, Clinical Chair of the CCG said: “On behalf of the CCG and the North Yorkshire healthcare system, I would like to express my sincere admiration and gratitude for the outstanding efforts practices and their staff have made over the last couple of months.

“In all my years working in general practice, I have never experienced anything like the impact of the pandemic. We must not underestimate the amount of effort adapting to the current situation has taken for our front line staff and that very much includes those in general practice, whether it’s your local GP, practice nurse or practice manager.

“We would still like to urge patients to reach out to their GP practice, particularly with serious illnesses or if you or your child require an important vaccination. It can be very dangerous to

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put off getting seen as you can put yourself at risk of late diagnosis of things such as cancer, heart attacks and stroke."

GP services, pharmacies, NHS 111, out-of-hours services and emergency departments are all still available to patients showing non-Covid-19 symptoms.

For further advice on how to best use the NHS visit: https://www.nhs.uk/A message from the Editor:

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