Coronavirus
The NHS in Sheffield 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.
Latest Government advice
COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.
- Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
- Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet. Face coverings should be worn in hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies, shops and public transport.
- Get tested and self-isolate if required
- If you haven’t already, get vaccinated
For the latest travel advice and general information please visit the NHS website here.
COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in the UK and is now available to priority groups
Following extensive trials, the Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now available. All vaccines have been shown to be safe and offer high levels of protection, and have been given regulatory approval by the MHRA.
Vaccinations are being delivered according to priority groups identified by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccinations may not take place at your GP practice, but rather a local vaccination service (led by GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists) who are responsible for delivering the vaccine to people in your community.
When it is the right time for you to receive your vaccination, you will receive an invitation to come forward. This may be via the phone, or through a letter either from your GP or the national booking system.
We know lots of people will be eager to get protected but we are asking people not to contact us to get an appointment as you will not be able to get one until you are contacted.
Click here for coronavirus easy reads and video resources
Coronavirus support for clinically extremely vulnerable person
The following link is for patients who should be shielded because they have a medical condition which makes them extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19) but didn’t get the Government letter.
You can register online or someone can on your behalf if they have your NHS number.
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Click here for sources of information for people who are shielding.
The NHS is open for business
If you need medical help, the NHS is still here for you.
Practices are open and available for patients who need care.
If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them either online or by phone to be assessed. Please don’t turn up at a GP surgery without an appointment.
If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111 and they’ll direct you to the best place. A&E and the walk in centre are open for urgent and emergency health needs.
If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999. If you are told to go to the hospital, you must go to the hospital.
See Sheffield Urgent Care website which includes information about the services available and when to use them, as well as information on waiting times for each of the urgent and emergency services in Sheffield. You can view the website by visiting: https://sheffieldurgentcare.co.uk.
Please click here for more information on accessing GP services.
How is coronavirus spread?
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Everyone is being reminded to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
You should follow this guidance, even if you've been vaccinated.
For further information you can also visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus
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