General practice is a critical part of the wider NHS and together, we care for the most vulnerable members of our community. Covid-19 infection rates are extremely high and continuing to rise in Binfield and Bracknell. Our numbers of staff in general practice are also reduced by the infection rate, and so to keep our patients and staff safe we need to make changes to the way we provide services locally. This will ensure that those most at risk from the impact of Covid and those with the greatest health needs are prioritised at this time including ensuring the Covid-19 vaccination is rolled out as quickly as possible to priority groups.

Minor illness and conditions that can be dealt with by community pharmacies will not be seen in general practice. Please follow our “Self Help” guidance and contact your local pharmacy in the first instance. If you need advice over and above what your pharmacy can provide, use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 if you do not have access to the internet.

General practice remains OPEN if you need us for an urgent and on-going health need:

• Practices have been asked to prioritise the needs of those people we know are at increased risk from Covid-19, including people with long term conditions, frailty, learning disabilities and severe mental illness.
• Serious, ongoing and urgent conditions will be prioritised including routine care for those at higher risk
• You may notice that you have less contact with your GP than previously if your condition is stable at the moment.
• Suspected cancer will be prioritised
• Covid-19 infections will be prioritised

Many other services will also continue, but please consider how urgent your request is and whether this could wait.

Our staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, so if you need to contact the practice please remember that any abuse of our staff will not be tolerated.

Please do not contact your practice by phone or online for minor illness.

Please do not contact your practice by phone or online about Covid vaccinations.

Thank you for supporting your general practice surgery at this time.