GP practices across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will be providing services on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday as part of the fight against Coronavirus.
Practices will be supporting patients from 8am-6.30pm although most appointments will be remote and carried out by telephone or video link.
Lynn Millar Director of Primary Care for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs said: “The Coronvirus fight means the Easter Bank Holiday is effectively not happening in general practice this year. Everyone will understand why.
“Appointments will be bookable on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday in the normal way, but I would stress that the vast majority will either be over the telephone or by video link. This is to comply with social distancing measures and because many general practice staff are currently needing to work from home if they or anyone in their household has displayed Covid-19 symptoms.”
“I would like to thank all staff in general practice for the efforts they are making at this extraordinary time. I would also like to thank our colleagues working in community pharmacies for the support they are providing.”
All pharmacies in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will also be opening on the two Bank Holidays. All will be open from 2-5pm, although some will open for longer hours where possible. However people are asked to only visit their local community pharmacy if they have an urgent need as pharmacies are experiencing a high rise in demand and are also practicing social distancing measures.
Lynn added: “Please follow official NHS Coronavirus guidance, and don’t take advice from social media.”
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