Swadlincote Surgery has thanked patients for their tolerance and adapting to new working practices during 'one of the most challenging periods' in the healthcare centre's history.

In the Darklands Road surgery's latest coronavirus update the surgery says: "Like the rest of the NHS, we have been working hard to think about how we continue to provide best care to our patients whilst being mindful of the ongoing coronavirus risks and our obligation to provide a safe environment for both our patients and staff.

"Many of our patients will have experienced us 'doing things differently' and we thank you all for the patience and forbearance you have demonstrated in adapting to these new ways of working to minimise footfall through the surgery and mitigate risk of exposure for patients."

Working practices now include:

• Telephone being the preferred initial method of contact for all patients

• No face-to-face appointments with GPs available without a telephone triage call first

• GPs and adult nurse practitioners equipped with video technology for consultations via a smarphone App

• Sick notes and other documents sent directly via SMS text message

• Patients attending necessary face-to-face appointments asked to telephone from the surgery car park to alert staff of their arrival - then having their temperature checked by a clinician before being escorted to a clinic room

• Clinical staff wearing gloves, mask eye protection and an apron for all face-to-face consultations

• Patients requested to attend appointments alone whenever possible to restrict footfall through the surgery

• The nursing team completing as many planned contraceptive and chronic disease reviews as possible by telephone

• GP-led newborn baby checks being combined with the eight-week baby immunisations in one appointment

• Home visits for the frailest housebound and palliative patients only

"We are determined to do everything in our power to protect our patients and their families from the devastating effects of this virus and ensure all other health needs continue to be met appropriately.

"Thank you to the many patients who have enquired as to our staff's wellbeing or even just said 'thank you' to our staff during what has been one of the most challenging periods in the history of Swadlincote Surgery," concludes the statement.