The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means you should only leave your home if it’s essential, unless you feel very unwell or you are told to attend an existing appointment for ongoing treatment. While you are at home it’s still easy to get NHS help using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
The Health at Home webpage has information letting you know how to:
- Contact your GP
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Manage long-term conditions
- Maintain your mental and physical wellbeing
If you need an NHS service, try to do it online first. If you cannot get what you need this way try asking a friend or family member to help you, or speak to your GP surgery on the phone.
Find out more at: www.nhs.uk/health-at-home
Here for you if you are unwell
We’re still here for you if you need other healthcare during the coronavirus. There are other services open to help you which means we can still protect the NHS and get you the support you need.
We are working together to ensure that you can still access urgent healthcare for other symptoms, not just the coronavirus.
It’s important to know where you can go to for support during this time. Your local NHS is well prepared to cope, so if you are seriously unwell, you must access the relevant service to ensure your condition doesn’t get worse.
Emergency
If you or your family are experiencing life threatening symptoms, call 999 or go to your nearest A & E (emergency department) immediately.
Children
It’s important that you can speak to someone about your child’s health for both COVID-19 or other worrying symptoms. Please do contact your GP practice, 111 online or, in an emergency, 999.
Other serious health concerns
We’re still here for you for other serious health advice unrelated to the coronavirus. Please go to 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/ (this is a different route to non-Covid19 support) or the NHS App first.
GPs
Many of our GPs are offering telephone and video consultations, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it urgently. Contact your local practice online for more information.
Pharmacies
You can leave your home for medicines collection and urgent pharmacy support including walk-in centres. Find out where your nearest pharmacy is at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/.
Maternity
We’re still here for you and your baby and are taking extra care in how we run our maternity services to make sure you stay safe. Your midwife can offer more advice, including helplines to call (contact numbers may be in your maternity notes too).
Mental health
We’re still here for you if you’re experiencing any mental health and wellbeing issues while staying at home. Find support at Every Mind Matters – our dedicated health and wellbeing online resource, including information on how to access urgent support: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/.
A 24/7 mental health helpline has been launched to take pressure off 111 for mental health advice in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The round-the-clock helpline will make it quicker and easier for people in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to get the right advice they need for their mental health. During office hours, people who already use mental health services should contact services directly using the numbers in their care plan. More information here.
Dental services
If you need urgent dental care, call your practice who will be able to offer advice. Check their website as they are likely to have information about how to manage dental pain and some practices may be working on a shift pattern covering telephone calls across a wider area so you may be redirected to a different practice.
Ophthalmology and Audiology
Your local opticians may be able to help with essential eye and hearing care. Please call your local branch for advice.
Published: 15 April 2020