Peterborough medical centres give advice to patients after positive Covid tests amongs staff

Octagon Medical Practice, who operate both of the sites, confirmed the positive tests and the fact that no one was seriously unwell via online statements.

Park Medical Practice insisted that none of the staff were seeing or meeting patients in a manner which may have transmitted the virus and that all appropriate risk measures are in place within the Surgery.

While Bretton stated that the staff affected were tested over the weekend and have not returned to the surgery this week.

The tests have however left the surgeries extremely under staffed and access to the buildings has been restricted to protect the safety of the remaining staff members and the public.

Patients have been asked to phone up for all enquiries and only attend the surgery is specifically instructed to do so by a member of staff. They have also been advised that they could be asked to attend another surgery in the Octagon group if an appropriate time for an appointment can not be found.

A statement on behalf of Bretton Medical Practice read: “We are sad to say a number of staff from Octagon at Bretton Medical Practice have tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend.

“Currently nobody is seriously unwell, however this means a number of other staff have to self-isolate leaving us extremely short staffed. As all Clinical and Non-Clinical staff are adhering to NHS England guidance with appropriate PPE usage and cleaning regimes in place there is minimal risk to patients.

“However, in order to reduce the amount of people coming into the surgery we have taken the decision to restrict physical access into the surgery. This is to protect the remaining staff and those patients who are triaged and have to attend for urgent clinical review.

“Patients may be asked to attend another surgery in the Octagon Group for treatment if we cannot arrange an appropriate time to see a clinician.

“Please help us by telephoning the surgery for all queries and not coming in to the practice unless requested to do so by a member of the Bretton Team.”

The statement for Park Medical Practice said: “We would like to make you aware that two of the team have tested positive for COVID in the past week which has meant that staff have had to self-isolate. Please bear with us as we deal with increased workload due to these staff shortages.

“We can confirm that none of the staff were seeing or meeting patients in a manner which may have transmitted the virus and all appropriate risk measures are in place within the Surgery.

“We apologise if it is taking longer to contact us than we would like and for any frustration this may be causing.”