We are having to make changes daily and the decision we have made along with a number of Dorset practices is that we will whenever possible be moving all appointments already arranged and any future ones over to telephone consultations including triage and if after discussing with a clinician they need to see you for assessment they will make the necessary arrangements for that. This keeps our patients and staff safe and well for longer.

If you have an appointment arranged, please do not attend the surgery before contacting us.

Whenever possible contact us via email prescription.lyme@dorset.co.uk or administrator.lyme@dorset.co.uk
or via an online forms from our practice website

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

What to do if you have symptoms

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

Read the advice about staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

What's the risk of coronavirus in the UK?

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

What's the risk of coronavirus for travellers?

There are some countries and areas where there's a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How coronavirus is spread

Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone

Lyme Bay is a friendly practice situated in the coastal town of Lyme Regis on Dorset’s famous and beautiful Jurassic Coast. We offer both NHS Medical and Dental services across two sites close to the town and aim to provide traditional patient centred care to young and old alike.

Our premises offer parking and full disabled access including being sited on main bus routes. Our Practice is part of an integrated community team for the area which provides locally based intermediate care, community nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. We also provide additional physical and mental health services in the form of consultant outpatient clinics and therapy and work closely with our colleagues in West Dorset to deliver as much care as close to home as is safely possible.

We work closely with our patient group and community and aspire to deliver holistic modern care at all times.

Open Access

There will be NO OPEN ACCESS on Friday 13th 2020 at Lyme Regis Medical Centre.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

NHS Dorset CCG has released a new app, WaitLess. This app allows you to view the opening hours, current waiting times, and travel times to the Dorset urgent care centres. Visit their website to learn more and download the app to your mobile phone