Coronavirus: local GPs in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale not offering face-to-face appointments "without a reason"

Local GP practices are currently not offering face-to-face appointments “without a reason” to minimise the spread of coronavirus.

From Monday 9 March, practices in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are not able to offer face-to-face appointments without patients giving the reason for the appointment, instead offering telephone appointments.

As of Monday, there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 illness in the Rochdale borough, but on Friday (6 March), the Hopwood Medical Centre closed for cleaning after a “possible coronavirus case” attended the surgery.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/133103/hopwood-medical-centre-closed-for-cleaning-after-potential-coronavirus-exposure

Cases have been confirmed across Greater Manchester in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

In a statement via social media, the Rochdale Health Alliance said: “To support efforts to minimise the spread of this virus, GP Practices in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are not able to offer face-to-face appointments without asking about the reason for the appointment. This may put pressure on GP phone lines so please be patient.

“You could also use online consultation to contact your practice, this is a way of sending your query electronically. The practice will review and then advise you about the most appropriate course of action for your needs.

“This can be accessed either via your GP practice website or if you use online services via the patient access app.

“We hope to resume back to our normal booking process once the risk of Coronavirus exposure passes.”

As of 8 March, 273 people across England have been confirmed as positive for the illness. Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, and increasing cases are being seen globally.

Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

The main symptoms of novel coronavirus are flu-like symptoms, including a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

If you think you may have coronavirus please DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

Anyone who is suspected to have coronavirus is asked to call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

For more information, visit: 

• www.gov.uk/coronavirus
• www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/