Please note that we are NOT currently offering
Covid Fit to Fly or Test to Release
Essex Private Doctors and COVID- we are still here to help you!
01277 201001 for all enquiries or [email protected] (regularly checked)
I hope that this post finds you all well!
If you feel that you may have any symptoms of COVID-19, such as a new sustained high temperature or persistent cough, DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Do remember that in most cases COVID-19 is a mild illness that can be safely managed at home with simple supportive therapy such as bed-rest, paracetamol and fluids.
Please click on this link: Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information about Covid-19
Essex Private Doctors supports the current nationwide lockdown and we strongly urge all of you to stay at home and follow the Government instructions with social distancing and limiting any trips outside your home for essential need only.
We have as a clinic been preparing for COVID since January 2020 and have taken steps to ensure that we continue to provide care for our patients, whilst ensuring that the safety of our patients and staff is paramount.
As far as possible, we have to avoid as much face to face contact as possible, unless there is a very real medical need for attendance at the clinic.
However, we can book telephone and video consultations with our patients. We have found that a lot can be achieved through this, and we can also prescribe remotely for pick up at selected local pharmacies. All remote consultations are pre-booked, with notifications sent to your email address with a clickable link to enable video consultations using your computer or mobile.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Is Essex Private Doctors still open through this lockdown?
YES we are open: 01277 201001
RECEPTION:- for formal appointments during normal hours and prescription queries/general advice. Reception staff may also be working remotely.
Monday – Thursday: 8am to 2.30pm
Friday: 8am-1pm
Saturday: 8am to 12pm
2) What if I have a problem out of hours?
TEXT is preferred! 07517 510609
Please give your name, brief account of the problem and whether you are a registered patient. You will be replied to, or called back
PHONE: 01277 201001 or email [email protected]
The email is checked regularly
The phones will still be manned out of hours up to 8pm daily including Sunday ( 8am to 8pm) for URGENT matters only (please!)
Known patients of the clinic have always been able to get in touch for advice for minor medical concerns and this is offered as a courtesy service to all that have previously been registered at Essex Private Doctors. Some calls may be converted to a video or telephone consultation if the matter is complex or medications need to be prescribed, and this will be chargeable at our normal consultation rates.
ALL calls from new patients will be converted into a consultation, and the New Patient appointment fee will be payable.
Please see our fees section.
3) What is a Remote Consultation?
In order to best protect patients and staff from any unnecessary risk, we are following guidelines in avoiding face-to-face appointments for all patients in the first instance. As such we are using telephone or video consultations with specific secure software. Many conditions may be safely managed in this way but we are aware that it in some cases there will be a need for attendance at the clinic.
4) How will I be able to collect any prescriptions?
We are able to electronically send prescriptions to these local pharmacies for collection:
Pharmchoice Brentwood: 01277 215809
New Pharmacy Brentwood: 01277 216897
Some medications, such as controlled drugs, cannot be electronically sent and must be picked up from the clinic.
5) What precautions are you taking for safe attendance at the clinic?
All patients that may need to attend will be triaged remotely ( telephone or video) to ensure that they have been:
- following government guidelines regarding lockdown and have had no suspicious COVID symptoms for the previous 3 weeks
- are not suffering from any respiratory illness whatsoever
- they do not have a fever ( temperatures WILL be checked prior to consultation)
- when attending they will need a face mask as a minimum.
- The doctor will be wearing full PPE
- Contact within the clinic is minimised as much as possible, and needless to say all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with appropriate disinfectant and any single-use products utilised as part of the consultation are disposed double bagged in clinical waste for incineration.
6) I am a registered patient- am I able to get medical advice?
As ever, we are always on hand to give advice to our registered patients, but any complex or new problems will need to be conducted as consultations so that enough time is given to provide safe care.
Please call 01277 201001 within surgery hours.
For Out of Hours advice please see question 2 above.
7) I am not registered with EPD- am I able to call or email for advice?
We still welcome calls from new patients, but we would need to register the patient at the clinic in order to allow us to consult with you. This consultation will be charged at our standard rate for new patients please see our fees section.
8) What if I need a blood test or an ECG?
These can be organised via the clinic, as long the criteria in 5) above are met.
We are able to perform blood tests with rapid turnaround of results using reputable London laboratories.
9) What if I need Specialist help - can you refer me privately?
We are able to refer in the usual way to private hospitals. At the moment there is sometimes a longer delay than usual in order to be seen at the hospital due to additional roles these services are playing in helping with the NHS response to the COVID pandemic.
However, as Essex Private Doctors have strong ties with local specialists we are able to obtain specialist advice on behalf of our patients so that you will be cared for in a timely manner.
10) What if I need X-rays or Scans?
We are able to organise imaging investigations through our relationships with local radiologists on a case by case basis.
11) Do you do COVID testing?
COVID TESTING – We offer COVID antibody blood tests (for previous infection) and Covid PCR Swab Testing for ‘Fit to Fly’ or business purposes.
We do not offer Test and Release PCR testing.
Last, but certainly not least, this is a difficult time for us all, and we realise that some in the community may find that continuing isolation from loved ones a stressful and lonely experience.
Please do remember to protect your own mental health and try to recognise problems in the psychological health of others that are close to you. There are many online resources that can help with this, but do not hesitate to contact us and we will also do our best to reassure where we can, and support where it is necessary.
