Seaton medical centre offers advice as lockdown measures lifted

A medical centre in Seaton has emphasised the importance of continued social distancing as lockdown measures are relaxed.

Townsend House Medical Centre has released a statement on social media, telling patients that although local cases remain low, it is still important to stay two metres apart and keep up regular hand washing.

The centre has also reminded patients that coronavirus tests are now readily available online for those suffering with symptoms, including a cough, temperature or loss of smell. These can be ordered via the NHS website or call 119.

You should then isolate until you receive your results. People living with you should also self isolate for 14 days, or until you receive your results. If these are negative, you can return to normal at that point.

Test and trace is now active and the medical centre said this will be crucial to controlling the epidemic.

"If you are called by the test and trace team, please follow their advice," the statement added.

The medical centre has also assured patients with other illnesses that they will not be forgotten.

The statement said: "We are experiencing a significant increase in patients contacting us, and although we have systems in place to manage that, things are inevitably taking a lot longer due to the need for PPE to be worn and workplaces to be thoroughly cleaned between patients.

"This is likely to continue for many months so please help us by using the phone, email and e-consults where possible to reduce the need to attend for face to face consultations.

"A lot of you are asking about how we will manage chronic disease checks, e.g. asthma, and medication reviews. Much of this can now be done without you having to attend for a face to face appointment, and we will be in touch in due course when the plans are finalised for this. Rest assured, we wont forget you.

"You may also have seen news reports about masks for patients attending hospital. We are still waiting for confirmation as to whether this applies to GP practices, but many countries are now recommending this so you may wish to do so while we wait for official guidance."

The medical centre said many people were reflecting in their health and lifestyle at this time, and suggested that anyone wanting help with weight loss, smoking, alcohol and exercise should visit the One Small Step website.