21 December 2021
Dear Patients
We haven’t done an update for a while but as we head into Christmas period we have provided the following information allowing patients and their visiting friends and family information on accessing health care should they need it over the holidays. Our plea for all the health services at this critical time of year is please use these services wisely and only if necessary, keep the general enquiries and non-urgent requests for January.
Our surgery is open normal hours 29th, 30th and 31st December outside of this healthcare is provided through the Out of Hours service please dial 111 and they will provide the relevant information.
Please consider the following:
Is your first aid box stocked and have you got basic supplies for self-managing conditions
Consider if your call is necessary or is there information available from other sources for example NHS direct, doing this will keep the lines clear for more urgent cases.
Minor injuries in Llandrindod and Brecon will be open, you need to ring ahead to pre-book an assessment.
Talk to your pharmacist they may be able to help with an over the counter remedy
A&E departments will be open but very busy, expect a long wait.
Dental emergencies please call 111
If you do fall ill and need to be transported to hospital consider if an ambulance is necessary if not is there anyone else available to take you, be guided by the call operator on getting to hospital safely.
Covid vaccinations are continuing over the Christmas period. This is managed by the Powys Teaching Health Board in their designated centers across the county if you need to enquire about a vaccination please ring them direct. If you haven’t attended for vaccine yet please do so. Please do not call the surgery with any Covid enquiries.
The surgery doors are open at the current time, this remains under regular review both from a safety aspect and the availability of staff to resource. In recent months we have been badly hit with staff isolating and unfortunately with the new strain and the additional isolation requirements this is likely to deteriorate. We are doing everything we can to keep people safe and it is important that the public respects our messaging and plays their part in this; adhering to the regulations and not entering the surgery (unless invited by a clinician). If there is any possibility that you may be infected or have been in close contact with a case please contact us by telephone for guidance. Of course we still have a responsibility for your care but this can be managed in other ways, seeing patients in the car park, by using the designated isolation room etc. please be clear with the receptionist regarding your symptoms and contacts in order that the consultations can be managed safely.
Masks must be worn in the surgery unless you have a medical exemption, the 2 meter rule formally returns on 27 December, but we have continued to retain this throughout.
As we come to the end of 2021 and the potential for the mass disruption that Omicron may bring we ask you all to take extra care and adhere to the guidelines in the hope that this will prevent the spread of infections. Be kind to each other and to the frontline workers across all areas who continue to work under challenging conditions.
With best wish for Xmas and 2022
Builth & Llanwrtyd Medical Practice
