Information for patients regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Information for patients regarding Coronavirus
(COVID-19)

COVID-19 UPDATE – AUGUST 2021

Please read the following statement fully and carefully

NHS practices in Scotland still have restrictions placed on them.

• Healthcare environments still have to observe social distancing
• Staff have to prepare for and wear enhanced PPE when carrying out treatments that generate a spray – known as AGP – such as fillings and Root Treatment
• The surgeries have to be left for a period of time following an AGP before cleaning is allowed
• Enhanced cleaning of surgeries following an AGP

This therefore restricts the number of surgeries we can use and ultimately the number of patients we can see and therefore takes time to work through our patient lists.

What does this mean for you as a patient?

Your initial point of contact will be to call the practice if you are having dental issues, where our staff can listen to you about your dental problem and give advice, and if necessary arrange an appointment.

We appreciate that many of you may be in the middle of treatment and therefore be concerned that you have treatment still due to be done. We have a sizable backlog of treatment still to be completed and if we resume check-ups, we would just add to this waiting list. We are contacting patients now to resume this outstanding treatment.

If you have not yet been contacted by the practice and you believe that you still have treatment outstanding from the initial lockdown, please contact the practice to discuss and arrange any appointments as necessary.

However for planned and routine care we are able to offer this independently of the NHS and our advice is to phone reception to discuss your requirements.

We are now also able to offer our patients a dental membership plan with full and priority access to all of our dental treatments including those that generate an aerosol such as tooth coloured fillings.

To assist with trying to see as many patients as we can with the above restrictions, we have extended our opening hours.

To enable social distancing and to protect our staff, our front door will be locked, and patients will only be admitted who have pre-arranged appointments, so please do not turn up at the practice without an appointment.

If you are shielding and have an urgent care issue, please call and we will make special arrangements for you.

To help you with the new patient journey, Catherine has prepared this guide for you – click here

As soon as we can resume further services, we will update you through our usual channels.

Many thanks to you and all our loyal patients for your patience with these restrictions, and all your kind words and support over the last few months.

For up to date information on COVID-19, please visit NHS Inform.