Special GP Led Coronavirus Clinics Being Set Up Across West London
New service for patients worried about symptoms referred by 111 or their own doctor
Special clinics dedicated to people concerned about coronavirus symptoms are being set up in boroughs across West London.
NHS Hammersmith & Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group, the organisation which plans our healthcare services, announced the launch saying: " We are setting up special GP-run clinics in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster for patients who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and need to see a doctor.
" Doctors from the local NHS will staff these clinics. More information about these clinics will be available very soon."
These clinics should bring relief for people suffering from symptoms who up till now have simply been told to stay at home and self-isolate.
The first of these new clinics opened yesterday, 30 March in Soho's NHS Walk-in Centre in Frith Street.
Patients can only access the service through a referral by either their GP or through the 111 telephone service.
The North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Group which includes H&F's CCG says: "The eight CCGs in NW London are the establishing a joint primary care response to COVID-19. This will include patients being managed both remotely and face to face by GPs.
" Face to face management will require dedicated clinics and we are establishing these in each borough. Patients will access the clinic through referral by the 111 service or their practice."
This announcement comes after the NHS closed Fulham's Parsons Green Walk-in Centre, saying he centre was changing so they could more effectively support the NHS response.
The centre, on the east side of Parsons Green is now expected to open as one of these special clinics in the near future. The location of other clinics has not yet been announced.
The CCG also says, of our normal GP practices: " Our GP practices are focused on helping their patients who have COVID-19 and are not operating normally, but are all open 8am till 6.30pm.
" If you think you have covid-19 symptoms, you should always use the 111 online service for advice. If you cannot get online, telephone 111. Do not go to your GP surgery as this may lead to the virus spreading further, including to practice staff.
"If you need a GP appointment about another matter, you should stay at home and ring the practice in the first instance."
And it adds: "We know that some GPs and their staff are likely to become unwell or to have to self-isolate. This will put general practices under pressure. To deal with this, local practices are working together in networks to support each other. It is possible that if you need to see or speak to a GP, you will be given an appointment with a different doctor or practice to the one you usually see."
March 31, 2020