Covid-19 Outbreak

We at Heathfield Family Centre need your help so that we can continue to keep the practice open and to be able to offer our services to you, the patients.

For the latest and most up-to-date coronavirus information please visit nhs.uk/coronavirus


Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Stay at home if you have either:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

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


NHS 111 online coronavirus service

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.


Sick Notes

If you are requesting a sick note to cover a period of absence from work due to coronavirus potential symptoms or self-isolation requirements, this is obtained via NHS 111 Isolation Note request

If you have had surgery or have been in hospital or fracture clinic, the sick note should be provided by the hospital team.

For sick notes for other conditions, please call 0121 465 4100 option 2 to request your sick note.


Very high risk patients update

The government has set out specific guidelines about who is defined as very high risk. We are aware they are reviewing this list and releasing regular updates/amendments.

These are a specific group of patient who are at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. They are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks.

If you have received a letter:

  • You should follow the guidance in the letter and if you need help register here
  • It is possible that some of you may have been incorrectly identified, which is based on HES data.
  • If you need a MED3 for work, then the letter should suffice.

If you have NOT received a letter:

  • If you need support to shield, then see if they meet the criteria as set out here, which you can use (even if they have not received a letter)
  • If you need a MED3 for work and you are in the high, or very high risk group, we can provide a patient summary as proof. This will include regular medication and relevant active problems. To request a patient summary please call 0121 465 4100 option 2 and this will be posted to you.
  • We are awaiting further national guidance and support on the process for identifying and contacting additional patients in ‘Group 4’ (other high risk patients with complex / severe multi-morbidity), which is currently being updated.