To help the local fight against coronavirus (COVID-19), additional sites are being identified to be COVID Management Services to supplement the service already up and running in Prestwich.
Tower Family Health Care’s Spring Lane Surgery premises located on Spring Lane in Radcliffe has been identified as a suitable location for Bury’s second COVID Management Service in Radcliffe. As a result, Spring Lane Surgery has temporarily relocated to accommodation within Radcliffe Primary Care Centre, a short distance away.
Patients from Spring Lane Surgery have been contacted about this temporary change, they can contact the practice on the phone or online in the usual way and signposting is in place at both Spring Lane Surgery and Radcliffe Primary Care Centre.
COVID Management Services aim to protect the public and staff, and prevent the spread of the virus. They provide a 24/7 hub to deal with non-urgent queries from people experiencing symptoms of coronavirus from across the borough, including advice over the phone, telephone, face-to-face consultations and arranging home visits.
The service is only for people who already have coronavirus or have coronavirus symptoms and are unwell, but do not need an emergency response. Access to the service is via a patient’s GP or after contacting NHS 111.
Dr. Cathy Fines, local GP and Clinical Director for NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:
“We are making these temporary changes during this extraordinary time as part of our preparations, to protect the public and staff and to create an additional safe hub to manage coronavirus cases.
“We understand that this change may be inconvenient to patients who are used to visiting Spring Lane Surgery, but we need to work in a different way to get on top of the virus. COVID Management Services are a key part of this local response, providing care to patients affected by the virus, and keeping staff and patients safe.
“We are very grateful to Tower Family Healthcare Spring Lane Surgery, for working with us in a really flexible way to respond to the coronavirus outbreak here in Bury. Relocating the practice, during an already incredibly pressured time and at short notice was a big ask and incredibly disruptive. The whole team has been very accommodating and keen to help.”
Dr. Ajay Kotegaonkar, GP at Tower Family Healthcare Spring Lane Surgery added:
“We are already working in a different way due to the coronavirus outbreak, the majority of our GP appointments are being provided on the phone or online, and so a temporary relocation of the practice to support the local response felt like the right thing to do. These changes are only temporary and will help minimise risk, whilst continuing to ensure people get the right care and advice they need.
“Face to face appointments will continue to be available for our patients that need them, but for the time being, they will be provided from a nearby site. We are also prioritising face to face appointments for home visits of vulnerable people, including those who are ‘shielding’ at home.
“We would like to thank all of our patients for their understanding during this temporary change. We can reassure them that the surgery building will be kept safe and regularly deep cleaned, enabling us to return to the practice as we left it. We look forward to welcoming patients back to our Spring Lane premises as soon as we can.”
