GP restrictions ease

Restrictions on GP practices were eased yesterday(wednesday, February 16), providing the public with a wider range of services.

GP practices moved from a managed suspension of service to the previous level of suspension of non-core activities.

Health and social care services across Lanarkshire are continuing to experience pressure. However, this is beginning to improve and the services which support general practice are now able to function at an increased level which has allowed some practices to move back to level 1.

Dr Linda Findlay said:“gps have been open throughout the pandemic and have been busier than ever.

“They have changed the way they provide care to help protect their patients, maintain safe infection control measures and minimise physical contact.

“In January, due to sustained pressure across our acute and community services, we asked GP practices to move to a managed suspension of service to help us deal with the continuing challenges across the whole system.

“I would like to thank GPS for all that they have done and continue to do for their patients in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

“Our staff continue to work extremely hard to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible and ask that people be kind to our staff and colleagues who are committed to caring, no matter the circumstances.”

Laura Ace, deputy chief executive at NHS Lanarkshire, said the pandemic has been the“most challenging time in the history of the Nhs”and affected how the health board delivered care both“in our hospitals and in the community”, including our GP services.

She added:“this announcement does not mean that we are back to prepandemic levels of healthcare delivery, but it is a step in the right direction.”

There is help and advice on NHS Lanarkshire’s website including‘meet the experts’which offers a range of services that local healthcare professionals across Lanarkshire can provide.

You can go directly to the right healthcare professional for the help you need when you need it, without having to see your GP first or face a lengthy wait in accident and emergency.

The NHS inform website also provides advice on self-care and NHS 24 can provide urgent health advice out-of-hours by calling 111 and your local pharmacy is the first port of call for minor ailments.

This can also help free up appointments for those who need them.