Coronavirus: Most GP surgeries in Sheffield move to phone triage service

As the NHS moved to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus around the city, many patients are now being told not to attend their GP surgery.

They will still be offered face to face or telephone consultations if they call or email their surgery, but are being urged not to attend without an appointment.

Dr Anthony Gore, GP and clinical director at NHS Sheffield CCG, said: “To help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the city most practices have moved to a telephone triage system if they didn’t do already.

“Patients will still be offered a face to face or telephone consultation with a GP or practice nurse if appropriate. Most practices have a buzzer entry to the practice to stop people with potential coronavirus turning up at reception.”

If you need to see a GP or practice nurse for something other than coronavirus, please contact the usual number for your practice. If you have coronavirus symptoms please follow the national guidance which is available www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.”

The unprecedented move comes as the country struggles to cope with what has been described as the biggest public health emergency for a generation.

More than 2,500 people are now known to have contracted coronavirus in the UK, 15 of them in Sheffield.

72 people are also known to have died from the illness, including one in Sheffield.

The Government today announced a £330bn package of measures to help businesses cope financially with the unfolding crisis.