Stay alert to stay safe – what this means for your practice and patients
The Prime Minister has advised the public to stay alert to control coronavirus and save lives. The new advice means the public must:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if they can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep their distance if they go out (2 metres apart where possible)
- Wash their hands regularly
The advice for shielding patients has not changed and they are expected to continue shielding until at least the end of June. Vulnerable groups are advised to continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household. We are also reminding the patients that the NHS is still open and they should continue to contact their practice if they have an urgent health need, and to continue to attend appointments unless told otherwise.
The advice on what to do if anyone is showing symptoms of coronavirus has not changed.
More detail on what the public can and can’t do to ‘stay alert to stay safe’ is set out in the Government’s frequently asked questions, including advice on how to stay safe when outside of your home. If you have been sharing the Government’s messages on your social media, you can find new ‘Stay alert to stay safe’ images for social media here.
Thank you for all you have been doing to support patients. NEL CCGs are preparing some communications materials for shielded patients to remind them of what they need to do, and what help and support is available in their area to collect medication, get food shopping, and additional advice and support to ensure they can remain at home. We will share these materials with you soon.