Northern Ireland

GP plans to 'telephone triage' patients stepped up to manage widespread coronavirus outbreak

Dr George O'Neill, a Belfast GP, said his staff are considering extensive telephone triage of patients
Dr George O'Neill, a Belfast GP, said his staff are considering extensive telephone triage of patients Dr George O'Neill, a Belfast GP, said his staff are considering extensive telephone triage of patients

GP SURGERIES across Northern Ireland are ramping up plans to carry out extensive 'telephone triage' appointments with all patients to manage the coronavirus outbreak.

A meeting will take place among practice managers of west Belfast practices today while a statement was issued by doctors from a Co Tyrone primary care centre last night about cancellation of appointments from this Friday.

GPs based in the Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, which houses four surgeries,have urged patients not to attend appointments they have booked unless they "phone the practice first" or receive a call.

Treatment room appointments for "bloods and injections" are also cancelled.

"Should you need urgent medical attention please phone your GP practice...Patients with wounds please phone 02882835525," according to the statement, which was released to the Ulster Herald.

"If you need advice about a blood test contact your GP practice. Doctors will be available for urgent medical advice and will see patients as needed after telephone assessment. These measures are necessary to ensure that the facility stays open."

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"All prescriptions will be available at pharmacies for collection, do not come to GP reception desks. We hope to resume normal service ASAP."

Meanwhile, a leading doctor in west Belfast said he would consider cancelling appointments and operating a telephone triage system solely in order to protect patients, GPs and support staff.

Dr George O'Neill, who has more than 40 years experience and has a practice on the Springfield road, said he would "immediately close the surgery down and order a deep clean" if someone turned up with coronavirus symptoms and had travelled to an affected region.

"We are certainly considering telephone triage as part of our risk management," he said.

"No-one in living memory has experienced anything like this - the closest is the Spanish Flu pandemic after World War I," he said.

"This is a serious illness, not like the flu, and there are significant symptoms for our older and at risk population."

Dr Tom Black, a GP based in a Derry surgery, also confirmed they had stepped up their phone assessments but "will see patients that need to be seen".

Any suspected Covid-19 cases are "brought through a side door" in his Bogside practice and are then assessed by a doctor wearing a specialist mask and infection control clothing.

"We then keep the patient in a dedicated area," he said.

Patients with suspected symptoms are being advised to contact the NHS 111 number and not attend their GP or A&E department.