UPDATE ADVICE FOR IBD/CORONAVIRUS QUERIES

Hello. I know it has been a long time since I posted anything here but I guess the summer got in the way! Also, without being able to hold our regular meetings, there has been no activities to report. However, the group still exits and our Facebook page is very active so do visit that to keep up with news.

This is the current email response from the IBD Team at Frimley Park Hospital. It contains good advice and a couple of useful links for more detailed information.

COVID-19 (COROANVIRUS)** For the latest information, please check out PHE guidance on http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

  • The advice from the government on 31st October 2020 is to work from home if you are able to do so, and the furlough scheme will continue into November.

  • There is currently no SHIELDING advice for patients on immune-suppression medication from PHE

  • Please remember to Wash Hands Regularly, Wear a Mask, Social Distancing, and DO NOT stop your medications.

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please arrange a test via the NHS app/website and keep us informed.

Thank you for your email, which has been received – We are running a reduced service this week due to annual leave and Audit data entry for the IBD Registry. We are currently receiving higher than normal messages and will respond to you as soon as possible. If you need urgent medical attention, please contact NHS 111. Only attend the hospital emergency department for a life-threatening problem.

The IBD Nurse Team is operating with THREE IBD Nurses, but we are practising social distancing within the office during the COVID-19 pandemic and may need to work from home on occasion.

* For Blood Tests at Frimley & Aldershot Centre for Health, please book an on-line appointment https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/bloodtestbooking

* Helpline – we are not currently answering the phone, but if you have called and left a message, it will be collected each day, and call-backs will take place the same or following day, dependent on clinical need (within 48hrs)

* Please do not email as well as call the helpline – emails are triaged each day, and answered within 5 working days.

* Prescription requests – we can post out a prescription, or it can be collected by a family member – to promote patient safety. Due to COVID-19 outbreak, we will be converting face-to-face appointments to telephone consultations.

If you have an appointment, please be available at the assigned time so we can reach you via telephone. For the latest information regarding COVID-19 in IBD patients, please see the Crohns and Colitis UK website which is updated regularly https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-advice

Some key recommendations for IBD patients: Patients are advised to take precautions to avoid infection through good personal hygiene and avoiding unnecessary close contact with people.

* At present, patients should continue their existing medications/dose if they are well. Changing the medication risks a flare of IBD which may increase the risks of complications if subsequently infected with coronavirus.

* Patients on immunosuppressant’s should seek advice via telephone if they develop symptoms of either seasonal flu or coronavirus (01276 526953)

* PLEASE EMAIL for non-urgent issues such as prescription requests, appointments or investigation results.

Many thanks

Jayne Lifford,

Arlyn Malanta

IBD Nurse Specialists

By Published On: November 3rd, 2020Categories: UpdatesComments Off on UPDATE ADVICE FOR IBD/CORONAVIRUS QUERIES
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