COVID-19 – Information and support for parents

During the COVID-19 crisis, the practice is operating in a very different manner. Appointments will largely be conducted by telephone or even video rather than being face-to-face and we are very focused on the large numbers of unwell patients that we are managing and supporting.

We would like to reassure you that we are still very much ‘open for business’ and are still here to help and support you with any concerns or queries you have. We are only too aware that children will continue to get unwell from the usual childhood ailments, unrelated to COVID-19, and will require the normal standard of care.

All community health and social care services remain in operation. Health visitors, 0-19 teams, social care and workers, hospitals and GP practices (including ours), Out-of-Hours and NHS 111 are all still providing the same, safe care as before so please call them if you have any concerns.

Our telephone number remains the same for you to call us too. To ensure your call is appropriately prioritised and directed to the right clinician, please mention to the receptionists what your query or concern is about and also if your child is being given early help support; on a Child Protection Plan; on a Child In Need plan, or if you are looking after a child who is in foster care.

If you wish, we can arrange for someone to call you on a regular basis (e.g. weekly or fortnightly) for support. Please do let us know if that is the case.

The following contains some useful advice and suggestions that can help children and families cope with having to remain socially isolated, in lockdown and distanced from others in challenging times.

Trusted sites to get up to date information on COVID-19

At the moment, there is a lot of coverage from all media and, although it is important to stay informed, it might make you feel as if things are getting on top of you. Feeling stressed or anxious related to seeing lots of new stories about the impact of COVID-19 will be a common reaction. It is quite normal to feel this way.

Try to only take advice from trusted government and health service websites. These have all the latest facts and figures to give consistent advice on how to prevent spreading, catching it and what to do if you think you have coronavirus.

Some are suggested below.

NHS.uk

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

GOV.uk

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Whilst coronavirus is infectious to children, it is rarely serious. If your child is unwell, it is likely to be a non-coronavirus illness rather than coronavirus itself. Please click here for some useful guidance published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for what to do if your child is unwell.

Helping families with emotional and physical wellbeing

Having to be in ‘lockdown’, socially isolate and distance yourself (and your family) from your colleagues, friends and family members will make many of us feel stressed and anxious. These are truly extraordinary times where information and issues are changing extremely rapidly. It is not surprising that each day can feel totally different to the next and this is unsettling. What is happening in the world right now can feel daunting – it’s very normal to feel worried and unsure about things.

We want you to look after yourself and your family during these difficult times. The following resources can help you and your family with your emotional and physical wellbeing.