It is hard to know where to begin or what to say when it comes to the Coronavirus. If truth be told, there is nothing we can say that has not already been said, and when it comes to the facts and the figures, the knows and the unknowns, there are many authorities out there who can perhaps say it better than we can.
There is only really one message that we wish to convey – both to those patients and colleagues who already know us, and to those who might be visiting this site for the first time – and that is that we are still, always, here to help.
Unfortunately at the moment we cannot welcome you to our rooms as we would like, but the practice phone is being answered by Delia between 10 and 4 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and by Victoria outside of these times, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at weekends. All our email accounts are monitored and individual queries are being responded to, still within 24 hours where possible. Dr Holdright is holding clinics by telephone several times a week, and will of course help with urgent cases as they arise.
Private imaging and testing centres are now beginning to reopen, although we have also found new ways of arranging blood tests and ECG monitoring, which mean that you do not need to leave your house or have a health care worker visit you to take samples or fit a device.
In essence we are doing everything we can to do continue to deliver the service you have come to expect from us, despite the very challenging circumstances. Until we are fully up and running again we will do all we can to help and support you from a distance, so if you are worried about your heart, please do let us know.
Private medical insurance companies are generally covering telephone consultations as a substitute for face-to-face appointments during the pandemic, so if you wish to arrange a telephone appointment with Dr Holdright, simply call your insurer for a claim number/pre-authorisation in the usual way.
We sincerely hope that you and your families are keeping as well as is possible during these times, and we look forward to seeing you again as soon as we can.
Finally, for those of you interested in the facts and figures, the best source of information about the situation in the UK is Public Health England, and for information on what to do if you or someone in your household has symptoms of the Coronavirus, the NHS has some very helpful information to help guide you.