A supplier to the NHS has advised us of a global shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests.
Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems will still get one, but where your Clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.
Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available.
If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the NHS as you would normally.
Welcome to Wolverhampton North Network Website which we hope will provide patients registered with our practices useful information on the services we provide.
Primary Care Networks are groups of general practices working closely together, with other primary and Community Care staff and health and care organisations, providing integrated services to their local populations.
Click link for more information on PCNs: https://youtu.be/W19DtEsc8Ys
The aims of the Primary Care Network are to try to maintain the individual GP practices and new ways of working together of GP surgeries and community services, share workforce and be able to provide new services.
We hope to improve the quality of care to patients near to their home with involvement of different specialist roles.
Covid-19 Guidance
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
NHS 111 Service
If you are concerned about your symptoms, or you feel you are unable to manage your symptoms at home, Use the 111 online coronavirus service. The 111 online coronavirus service will ask about your symptoms and tell you what to do.
Link to coronavirus guidance in different languages: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Vulnerable and Shielding Patients
If you have previously been shielding you are seen as clinically vulnerable to #COVID19. It is even more important that you social distance and take every precaution to protect yourself. Guidance can be found on:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus
You can have a swab test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) now.
Who can get a free test?
You can only get a free NHS test if at least one of the following applies:
- you have a high temperature
- you have a new, continuous cough
- you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed
- you’ve been asked to by a local council
- you’re taking part in a government pilot project
You can also get a test for someone you live with if they have symptoms.
Where can I get a free test?
If you have symptoms, no matter how mild, you need to get tested. Anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 should immediately self-isolate for 10 days and book a test either online on or calling 119:https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Wolverhampton Council have information on the booking of tests locally:
https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information/stay-safe-be-kind/coronavirus-testing
Please be aware that you can’t get a COVID test at your local GP Practice as the testing is only done at specific national sites.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive test result
Stay at home and begin to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms start. Arrange to have a test for COVID-19 if you have not already had one. The result of the test will determine how long you must stay at home and self-isolate.
Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit or a test site appointment.
A positive test result means you must complete a 10-day isolation period.
If your test is negative, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are well.
If you do not have symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the day the test was taken. If you develop symptoms after your test, restart your 10-day isolation period from the day the symptoms start.
Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat.
You could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19 and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate.
Test and Trace is the national NHS programme set up to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is the process for testing people who have coronavirus symptoms and tracing people they have been in close contact with, so that they can get a test and self-isolate if they test positive. If you are contacted by Test and Trace, via a text message, it will be to inform you that you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus; please follow the instructions on the text message you receive from them.
Wash your hands, cover your face, make space
Coronavirus can live for more than 24 hours indoors.
You could pick up or pass on the virus by touching a contaminated surface.
Washing your hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser, regularly throughout the day will reduce the risk of catching or passing it on.
Coronavirus can be found in tiny droplets coming out of your nose and mouth.
Wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth reduces the spread of droplets carrying the virus. This means if you have it, you’re less likely to pass it on to others.
Larger droplets can land on other people or on surfaces they touch. Spreading the virus through droplets is most likely to happen when you are less than 2m apart.
Smaller droplets called aerosols can stay in the air for some time, especially if there is no ventilation.
So when you are with people not from your household, you must keep at least 2m apart.
The risk of spreading the virus through smaller droplets is much less outdoors, where there is more ventilation.
Wash your hands, cover your face, make space; these are the three most effective ways we can all control the spread of the virus.
Remember if you have any coronavirus symptoms; high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, get a free test by calling 119 or visiting NHS.uk.
Together, we will control the virus and stop the spread.
Don’t forget, Hands, Face, Space.
STAY ALERT, STAY SAFE!
Remember to:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep a safe distance if you go out
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering on public transport
- Shop safely
- Exercise safely
- Travel safely
- Stay alert to keep R down
- Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
Contraception Clinic
We are pleased to announce the introduction of Long Acting Reversible Contraception Clinics within our network of surgeries. Click below for more information on these clinics:
www.wolverhamptonnorthnetwork.co.uk/pages/Services
Electronic Prescriptions are changing from 7th September 2020:
Changes to electronic prescriptions
FLU vaccinations for 50-64 year olds
Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.