This is an update on what is happening at the practice regarding Covid. As you are no doubt aware the practice has been operating under guidance from the Department of Health regarding treating patients during this Covid pandemic.
These operational protocols were put in place in June 2020 and were updated on 25th November 2021.
The new operating protocols enable us to treat non infected patients, without the need to use full PPE. However, what this means is that we need to carefully screen all our patients to ensure the safety of anyone attending the practice. To that end before each appointment, we will be asking a series of screening questions (see attached). Only patients that can answer NO to all these questions will be able to be treated under the new protocols. Any patient who answers YES but requires emergency treatment can still be treated but will require us to wear full PPE so we will need to plan this in advance.
It would be most helpful, if all patients attending for treatment would take a lateral flow test on the morning of the appointment. Whilst it will be difficult to make this compulsory, this would be greatly appreciated. This includes patients coming in for treatment, such as fillings, crowns, and hygiene appointments.
Obviously, your safety and that of the Aquae Sulis team is paramount and we would appreciate your continued help and understanding during this pandemic.
We would like to remind all patients that despite this recent relaxation of the guidance, it is still essential that all patients attending the practice wait in their cars and notify us by telephone of their arrival. If arriving by foot, please knock and wait for a member of staff to greet you, do not enter the practice. Please wear a mask in the practice and follow the instructions of the Aquae Sulis team.
