COVID-19 INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE

Guidance for the Public

Stay at Home Guides

Please view our guide on the stay at home process during COVID-19.

Asthma UK Guidance

Please see Asthma UK Guidance for High Risk Patients:

Guidance on Self-Isolation and Social Distancing for COVID-19

Please view our leaflet for Guidance on Self-Isolation and Social Distancing for COVID-19.

Make your own Masks

Chorlton co-operative sewing group Stitched Up have put together a printable mask pattern and accompanying YouTube tutorial for anyone wanting to make their own protective face masks. They have kindly given us permission to share, please see below for details.

Mental Health during the Coronavirus outbreak

Face COVID

View our leaflet to find out how to Face COVID 19.

Coronavirus and mental wellbeing www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ 

Looking After Your Mental Health As We Come Out Of Lockdown www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coming-out-of-lockdown

Messages from the Practice

COPD and Asthma “Rescue Packs”

Inaccurate information circulating regarding special ‘rescue packs’ for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions (Asthma and COPD).

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak we had a number of patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease) and a very small number of patients with Asthma that were eligible for a ‘rescue pack’ of steroids with or without an antibiotic. These patients had been appropriately assessed and counselled by healthcare professionals and were advised when and when not to use these medicines.

We are aware of the stories circulating on social media that people with Asthma should contact their GP for a similar ‘rescue pack’. These are not necessary and will not be issued. Similarly, if you have not required an inhaler for more than a year, or are requesting an inhaler without a diagnosis of Asthma, you will need to speak to one of the doctors or nurses to see if this is suitable.

If you have well controlled Asthma and do not usually use a Steroid (Preventer) inhaler, then you do not need to start one now. 

The lung problems sometimes caused by Coronavirus will not be made better by either Reliever or Preventer inhalers. It could even be dangerous to use a Preventer inhaler when you don’t need one.  

For this reason please make sure that any developing breathing problems are properly assessed by a trained professional. 

If you think you have Coronavirus (new dry cough, fever) and it has started to affect your breathing, then you must use the 111 online guidance www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 and be properly assessed.

If you think you are having a flare of your Asthma or COPD, please contact the Practice and ask to be put on the Telephone Triage list as normal so that we can help.

If you are struggling with your breathing and are very breathless at rest, you must call 999. 

We have been inundated with requests by well patients with mild COPD or Asthma for a rescue pack antibiotics and steroids due to this incorrect information. This is slowing our response to those who need us most. We would be grateful if you would help us by not circulating this incorrect information from your threads and informing others who have also shared it.

We would be very grateful if you would help us combat the circulation of dangerous erroneous information by directing others to this message where possible.

We are, as always, working hard to help you at this uncertain time. Thank you for your patience.

Coronavirus Worst Case Scenario Planning

The Association for Palliative Medicine have been provided the following videos by Dr Justin Amery aimed at frail and at risk members of the public to provide information, and to help answer some of the questions you may have regarding COVID-19. Please visit their website to find out more.