Please read the enclosed information sheet from the Department of Education and the Public Health Agency:

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What if my child has a minor cough?

Coughs can indeed be mild and children often get them. The NHS says it’s fine to send your child to school with a minor cough.

But it’s a new and continuous cough that you need to look out for, which could be a symptom of coronavirus.

If your young one is coughing a lot for more than an hour or has three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours, then it may be best to keep them off school and request a test.

 And if my child has a cold?

The NHS advises that if a child has mild cold-like symptoms they should continue to go to school.

Common cold symptoms such as sore throats, blocked or runny noses are currently not recognised symptoms of coronavirus.

 If your child is feeling unwell with different symptoms than those of coronavirus, you should treat those as you normally would. The Department for Education says: “As in any year, as schools go back, children may pick up common colds or feel unwell with a sore throat, stomach upset or a headache.

These Children may need to stay off school and parents/carers should call their GP or dial 111 to seek medical advice if they are concerned about their child’s health.”

 What about fevers?  If your child has a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes away.

 I’m worried about my child’s symptoms: If you are unsure about how serious your child’s symptoms could be and you don’t know what to do, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service: https://digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/nhs-111-online-coronavirus-services

 Useful websites:

 Government advice to Parents about schools:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

 Government advice for children attending out of school settings, eg. Clubs:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-of-children-attending-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

 Government advice on who should be tested:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-phe-and-nhs-test-and-trace-to-school-and-college-leaders.

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Please click here to see the guidance

From 4 May 2020 Mid Sussex Health Care will have EPS Phase 4 switched on. This means that patients without an EPS nomination will have their prescriptions signed and sent electronically, the GP with not physically sign it.

You will be given a Phase 4 token with a scannable barcode instead of a signed FP10, this can then be taken to a pharmacy of your choice, we would encourage you to nominate a pharmacy as it will make your prescription process much smoother.

We are now using video for some consultations.  This is really easy to do on your smartphone or computer, and includes the option to upload a photo e.g. of a rash to be seen close up.

 When your clinician is ready to consult with you you will receive a text message with a link to follow. Further instructions are available here:

https://support.accurx.com/en/articles/3790662-my-gp-has-sent-me-a-video-link

 If you have any concerns about how to use this please contact the practice to discuss.

Patient Online Smartphone Apps

Please see links below to SystmOnline for patients smartphones and tablets (one for Apple and one for Android).

Apple iPhones and iPads: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/developer/tpp/id711398513

For Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=px.app.systmonline&hl=en_GB

Logging into Systm Online for the first time

You should have been given a username and temporary password by the receptionist after they have activated your account. You will need to log in to your new account before midnight in order to set a new password.

In order to log into your account you will need to go to the web address on your letter and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the logo.

You will then be prompted to enter your username and password and should then be directed to update your password.

Should you have any problems logging in or forget your password at any time please bring photo ID to the reception desk and ask for a password reset.

Online Where possible please order these online, either through Systemone, or the NHS app. If you would like help setting up access to this please contact the practice and we will arrange for someone to call you and guide you through the process

Letterboxes prescription requests can be posted through the letterboxes at Ditchling and Hassocks are these are being checked daily

Phone during the Covid pandemic only if you are unable to use our online service or post your repeat prescription in one of our letterboxes, we are happy to take prescription requests over the phone, please ring the usual number 01273 834388

Please do not ask for extra quantities of medication/inhalers or stockpile them, in order to maintain stocks in the pharmacies 

We will soon be required to supply your personal and confidential medical information to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). This information will be taken from the practice in a form that can identify you. The practice has NO choice but to allow the HSCIC to extract this information. However, individual patients can instruct their practice to stop the transfer of their data. For more information on the reasons for this data extract and how to opt out of sending your confidential information ask the receptionist for a leaflet or go to the website at www.nhs.uk/caredata

As a practice we have elected to not offer NHS Health Checks for 40-74 year olds because of the lack of evidence of benefit, and the risks of detecting 'illness' that would not cause any harm. The recent Cochrane review of 14 trials (with 182,880 participants) demonstrates this clearly, and includes an excellent plain language summary.

Furthermore, we believe this to be a waste of public resources, not targeting the population who stand to benefit the most. Please read the Cochrane review link above for an explanation of the science behind this decision.