GP practice postponing appointments due to majority of nursing team self-isolating

Millview Medical Practice, which has surgeries in Sleaford and Heckington, announced on Sunday that it had no choice but to cancel or postpone some bookings as 70 per cent of its nursing team are having to isolate for the next two weeks to prevent spread of the virus.

It also has a doctor and a nurse practitioner currently shielding which was described as “an ongoing situation with no imminent resolution”.

In a statement to patients, the medical centre said: “We understand that no patients are at risk but clearly this is going to significantly impact on patients as we need to cancel/defer a lot of appointments from Monday. We have been in contact with our Clinical Commissioning Group this weekend and will fully cooperate with any recommendations.

“Please bear with us during this very difficult time,” they said.

The medical centre is aiming to honour the following procedures: Zoladex, Prostap, cervical smear, immunisations and urgent cases such as chemotherapy bloods and dressings. They also still aim to complete the first phase of the influenza immunisation programme by the end of October.

On a positive note, their new doctor, Dr Revu is settling in and are interviewing for a new dispenser today (Tuesday).

NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group is also aware that some Lincolnshire GP practices, including this one, are experiencing significant issues with askmyGP, the online triage and consultation system.

Harry Longman, chief executive of askmyGP said in a statement: “We would like to apologise to patients for any inconvenience this has caused.

“The same issues are affecting practices nationally, and not caused by or the responsibility of Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group or the individual practices, but are system issues with askmyGP. We are working urgently with NHS England, who are investigating with askmyGP, to resolve this as quickly as possible.

“We would also like to add our apologies to patients who have experienced problems accessing our service. We are working had to rectify the problems and restore a 100 per cent service for the patients of this practice.”