Covid19 FAQs
Covid safe Advice
Covid tests
Want to know if you qualify for free covid tests?
Order free rapid lateral flow test- certain vulnerable patient groups still qualify for free testing.
Voluntary Local Support
We encourage patients discharged from hospital or require ongoing support in the community to reach out voluntary organisations such as Age Concern.
Sicknote / Isolation note Query
You do not need to contact your GP for a sick-note, you can self certify or 111 will be able to provide documentation of encounter if you are unwell; How to get a 111 Isolation note
If you are self isolating for 7 days you do not need a sick note from your GP as you can self certify, please download/print a Self certificate from
If you are isolating please go to www.111.nhs.uk/isolation-note this service is for people who have symptoms of coronavirus live with somone who has symptoms of coronavirus. We do not provide letters for employers about returning back to work (see section below).
I am not sure if I should isolate:
Rescue Packs
Rescue Packs for severe respiratory conditions- If you are a patient with a severe respiratory condition such as Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma or COPD and feel you require a rescue pack please contact the surgery by Email or eConsult to arrange call back from our practice nurse.
Am I a high risk patient?
There are 2 types of people who are at higher risk
1) people at increased risk
2) people most at risk (also known as "shielding" or extremely vulnerable people")
Please go to advice for people at high risk where you can see further information regarding the differences between the categories and what you should do if you fall into either of these categories
Some patients have been recommended to self isolate for longer during the current pandemic Click here to check if you are a high risk patient
Terminal Care
Doctors are encouraging people to talk to loved ones about their wishes if they were to become critically ill with coronavirus. Where would you like to be cared for? Do you have strong beliefs on how much intervention you would want if you became terminal? These are difficult conversations to be had but are important and require careful thought. We ask that you discuss this with your close family.
Infection Risk
You may be infectious with the virus and not even know. This is because you may start to shed the virus 24-48 hours prior to any symptoms start. You might recognise why you are feeling unwell as a symptom of a different problem but this does not exclude that you may have the virus as well. To protect you as well as all our staff (to keep the surgery going) we need to minimise direct contact and remain isolated.
I would like to apply for coronavirus testing
Covid-19 testing: To arrange a test please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test. If you do not have access to or cannot use the internet, you can call the Coronavirus Testing Call Centre directly on 0300 303 2713 between the hours of 07.00 and 23.00. Test results will typically be sent to you within four working days; if they are not, the call centre can be contacted to follow up on the results.
If you have coronavirus symptoms you can self refer for testing by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test
Shielding
If you are an extremely vulnerable patient and may need to shield.
For guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable:
Please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Should I receive a letter from the NHS:
Only patients who fall under the extremely vulnerable category (also known as shielding or most at risk) will receive a letter from the NHS
Please note these letters are not being sent from General Practice
Sick notes / Letters for employers:
Please be aware at present the practice will not be providing sick notes or letters for employers for any patients relating to isolation or taking time off following receipt of a letter from the NHS as you are on the extremely vulnerable list.
If you are isolating - please use links above to obtain an isolation note
If you have received a letter from the NHS - the letter from the NHS will suffice for your employers.
We will not be providing letters advising other household members need to be shielding with you. Please see advice on shielding (in the I am an extremely vulnerable patient section) and staying at home as above
We will not be providing letters for patients who wish to shield as a household member has received a letter from the NHS. Please see advice on shielding in the I am an extremely vulnerable patient section above.