COVID-19 Coronavirus

The COVID-19 coronavirus poses a serious threat to the UK healthcare system which runs at full capacity 24/7. We should now all be making significant changes to our behaviour in response to the pandemic spread of the coronavirus in the UK. Please read the information below and above all, share it! Spread the word
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We have make significant changes to the way you access our service. This is in response to instructions from the Government.
IMPORTANT - Changes To GP Services
Under the instruction of the NHS - effective immediately - we have converted all our appointments to telephone or video consultation. There will be no facility to book direct into a face to face appointment. We MUST limit footfall to the surgery. You will receive a call from a clinician who will manage all they can over the phone. After speaking with you, if absolutely necessary, we will offer you a face to face appointment. PLEASE do not come to the surgeries to manage anything routine. If you have a smartphone or tablet you may be asked to consult by video consultation (see below) by your clinician.

Avonmouth surgery will be closed from 1pm on the 25th of March. The doors at Bradgate and Ridingleaze are open for you to drop off prescription requests and samples. Otherwise the receptions ARE CLOSED to all walk in visitors. Please contact us with online access or by phone. If you need to book a phone consultation use online access or phone us. Do not come to reception to book an appointment. All prescriptions will now be sent electronically. We will not allow any paper prescriptions to be collected at the surgery. Any documents will now be sent by email, text or post. We will not allow any documents to be collected in person.

If you need to order a prescription use online access (NHS App), email (pmg@nhs.net), ask your pharmacy to order, or write us a letter. If you are unable to do these at a LAST RESORT drop a request in the box in the surgery entrance. Do not come to the reception desk to order medication.

Only come to the surgery in person if you have been invited by one of our staff. While at the surgery take care to observe strict infection control measures (see below)

Why must we do this? Three reasons. Firstly, the Government have instructed us to. Secondly, anyone walking in the building that doesn't need to, poses a risk to themselves, other patients and our staff. Thirdly, over the coming weeks the NHS will be busy. Very busy. Much of the NHS's resource will be focused on looking after the coronavirus sick. I'm afraid some of the routine bits and bobs will have to be postponed. The coming months will be extraordinary times and we must be ready for them.

I Have a Fever / Cough / Coronavirus
If you any new respiratory symptoms do not leave your home. Coming to the surgery will risk further spread. This also applies for pharmacies, walk in centres, and hospitals. Remain at home. Remember most coronavirus cases have a mild illness and do not need any medical intervention other than rest, fluids and paracetamol. If you feel unwell use the NHS Coronavirus tool or call NHS 111. Use the online tool first. It might save your hours on hold. They will arrange the appropriate care for you.

You are advised to self isolate at home for at least 7 days. Follow this link to see what that means. If you feel unwell while at home or your symptoms last more than 7 days call 111, not the GP surgery.

If you need a sick note because of coronavirus you can get one online. You do not need a printer. Do not contact the surgery. We can't issue one for you.

I Have Been Asked To Come To The Surgery
If you are asked to attend the surgery take the following steps to reduce your risk while you are here.
  • If you have respiratory symptoms wait in your car. DO NOT wait in the waiting room. You will be called in by the clinician at the time of your appointment. Please do not be surprised if the clinician is wearing protective equipment.
  • If you cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve. Take your tissues home and throw them in your bin at home.
  • Our staff will not shake your hand. Please don't be offended. We are limiting all unnecessary personal contact.
  • Keep your distance (social distancing) from other patients in the surgery while checking in or waiting for your appointment. Keep 2 metres apart.
  • Limit what you touch while at the surgery. Hard surfaces could well harbour the virus.
  • Wash your hands or use alcohol gel regularly.
  • Do not touch your mouth or eyes until you have left the surgery and sanitised your hands.

What Should I Do?
The virus is now active in the community. The cases we know about will represent the tip of an iceberg. Follow the up to date Government advice.  This is especially important if you are over 60 years of age or are in an at risk group.

Visiting public places will increase your risk of catching the virus. Use social distancing. Avoid being in crowds. Avoid enclosed spaces with others. Don’t bunch up in line for the till - at least 2 metres apart. When out of the house - don’t touch things that others have touched. If you do CLEAN YOUR HANDS before touching anything else. Especially your face. Think about the Chinese experience. We all saw it on the news. Lift buttons, door handles, entering your pin at the till, coins. Anything with a hard surface!

Kids. They need to watch what they touch and keep a social distance too. Supervise them while out of the home. Don’t worry. If they catch the virus they WILL be fine! But they can still pass it on.

Keep an eye on our facebook page for regular practical updates. You don't need an account. It is open to the public to view.
Video Consultations
The wonderful team at AccRx have kindly sped through a video consultation facility to help GP surgeries reduce the risk of consulting in person.

The consultation should work on your smart device's web browser. If you are struggling then please download the free Wherby App on your apple or android app store. You can also join a consultation on a PC if you have a webcam. If you are struggling visit this site for help.

You will get a text message from your clinician with a unique link allowing you to join the consultation.
Why is coronavirus a problem
For most (4 in 5) the virus causes a mild disease. However around 1 in 5 develop pneumonia. This will place a significant strain on the healthcare system. There is an average incubation period - time from exposure to symptoms - of 5 days. In the early stages of the illness coronavirus symptoms are much like any other cold or flu (fever, aches, cough) during which time the infection is spread. Those with minor symptoms - who might go about their daily lives unaware they have it - can spread the virus to others who will become seriously ill and need hospital care.

We cannot stop the spread of the virus until we have a vaccine - and that will not arrive this year. The only weapon we have against the virus is to slow its spread. This will give the healthcare system capacity to care for the sick as a trickle, not a flood. The focus of the community must be to slow the virus down.
I want to find out more
The UK's coronavirus situation is changing rapidly so rather than offer outdated information here, please use the NHS.uk website for the most up to date government information.

Keep an eye on our facebook page for updates. You don't need an account. It is open to the public to view.
Sick NOTES
We are unable to provide sick notes for self isolation due to Covid. We are pleased you are following government advice and protecting yourself or others around you. 

  • If you are off work because of symptoms related to Covid then you need to self isolate for 7 days.  You can download a certificate for this at https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
   
  • If you are off for 12 weeks because you fall into one of the vulnerable groups, then you either need to work from home if your employer has supported this or otherwise discuss with your employer what you need to do.  You can show them the guidance below and what our advice to them is
 
 “By law employers may use their discretion around the need for medical evidence if an employee is absent from work for more than seven days due to sickness. We would ask you to apply this discretion to help support NHS general practice provide care for our population rather than being asked to fulfil unnecessary administrative tasks.
 
Should you decide on taking disciplinary action against an employee purely on the grounds of being unable to provide the sickness medical certification relating to Covid-19 pandemic we would make it very clear in any disciplinary/grievance/tribunal reports that under the circumstances we would deem your action inappropriate.”
 
If you have any problems resolving disputes, we would suggest you contact ACAS https://www.acas.org.uk/ to help.
Asthma Rescue Packs
There has been a flurry of 'Fake News' advising all asthmatics to request rescue packs form their GP. Rescue packs are not appropriate for asthmatics. Steroids are very likely to worsen the course of a Coronavirus infection and antibiotics do not work for viruses.
COVID / Coronavirus testing
We have no tests in the community. Tests can't be done on the NHS at the moment. Only people sick enough to be admitted to hospital are being tested.
Hospital referrals
Due to the pressures of the Coronavirus the local NHS trusts have closed to ALL routine referrals. Indeed, they are also cancelling some recent referrals. If this affects you we ask that you return to us to ask for your referral to be re-sent once the NHS trusts advertise that they are accepting referrals again. We understand this will be upsetting for many, but we have no bypass options available to us.
Getting help with the practical things
Bristol coronavirus hotline
Wide range of needs, including obtaining food supplies, other essential items and medication. They can also help arrange follow-up support with different organisations.​

‘We Are Bristol’ support  Tel:  – 0117 352 3011
8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday
 
Bristol City Council
For all aspects of help due to coronavirus including registering for support on gov.uk if extremely vulnerable, advice for direct payments or personal assistants, financial  help if you have lost your job.
Telephone 0800 694 0184 
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/crime-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know
 
Healthwatch Bristol
Help with finding health information, directing to community support or chat through this difficult time.
Tel or text 07944369180
www.healthwatch.co.uk
 
Wellaware Bristol – information, advice and guidance
https://www.wellaware.org.uk/
Tel 0808 808 5252
 
Covid Mutual Aid Group
https://covidmutualaid.org

Welcome to Pioneer
Welcome to the Pioneer Medical Group, formed by the merger of Avonmouth, Bradgate and Ridingleaze surgeries. We are a friendly, multi-site teaching practice providing primary care services in Bristol. We work hard to provide an excellent service, which is demonstrated by patient surveys and the CQC.

There is a lot of information on the site - opening times, self-care advice, chronic disease clinics, registration forms, contact details etc. Check out our TopTenTips page to make the most of our service. For news, updates and local information do visit our Facebook page. We value your feedback. If you can't find something use the search bar on the footer of every page. If it's not here and you think it should be let us know. Click for easy read information or to request information in another format.

DoctorLink - A doctor in your pocket

We have a clever, free self-care tool called DoctorLink. The tool asks you for your symptoms and makes a diagnosis. It offers self-care advice, or if needed, books you an appointment. The tool is available to access 24/7 online or via an apple or android smart phone - bringing the clinician to your pocket whenever you need them. Check your symptoms day or night.

DoctorLink is an established clinical tool with over 15 years of proven use. We would suggest that you use it to decide if you need an appointment. Because if you do, it will book you one!
To find out more, visit our DoctorLink page.

Online access - NHS App

Book appointments. Order medications. View test results.  Read clinic letters.  Check your symptoms. And much more!

You can do all this at a time that suits you from your PC, tablet or smart-phone. There are 2 systems we would recommend you consider. You only need register with one. Either the new NHS App or the older Patient Access. If you have yet to register for one of the online platforms there are advantages to the new NHS App over patient access. If you want to find out more take a look at our online access page.

Find and Access NHS Services Online - ours and others

Use the widget below to find local NHS services - dentists, pharmacies, minor injury units, emergency departments, sexual health clinics, opticians etc. The search will tell you your nearest service, including the address, opening times and contact numbers.

Safe Surgeries 

​At Pioneer we understand that everyone in the UK is entitled to register and consult with a GP.  Access to health care can be especially difficult for vulnerable groups in our population.  Migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of trafficking sometimes experience barriers to accessing care.

With this in mind we are proud to announce that we have joined the Safe Surgeries community set up by Doctors of the World. ​Our priority being to ensure we provide a welcoming environment for everyone in our community and an equitable service for all of our patients.
The Pioneer Medical Group are responsible for the content of this website. Please find our privacy statement here. We take no responsibility (legal or otherwise) for the content of other websites that are linked to from the Pioneer Medical Group's site.