Local Information on Coronavirus

Published: 17 March 2020

Longstanton Parish Council will be keeping the website up to date on a daily basis with essential information for our residents.  

As ever, we would recommend that residents visit authoritative sites for detailed information on the ongoing government involvement.  These are Public Health England and the NHS.  To summarise however, as at 16th March the advice for residents is as follows:

• are 70 or over
  
• have a long-term condition
  
• are pregnant
  
• have a weakened immune system 

To do this, please do:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
  
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
• only travel on public transport if you need to
• work from home, if you can
• avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
• avoid events with large groups of people
• use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
  
• do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family 

Local News

Locally, Longstanton Parish Council is working on an Operational Plan to look out for our more vulnerable residents.  We are fortunate enough to have a team of volunteers who will be mobilised when necessary.  If you know of anyone who is 'vulnerable' please contact me at clerk@longstanton-pc.gov.uk so that we are aware of them.  Please do not assume that we know that they are there, or may need help.

Surgery News

We cannot stress enough, that patient's with a persistent cough and/or high temperature (however mild) should not attend the surgery.  Any routine appointments should be cancelled.  Please self isolate for 7 days and if you feel you are unable to manage your symptoms or they persist beyond 7 days please contact 111 preferably via their online platform or on the phone.

This will assist the practice massively.  It is vital we keep any symptomatic patients away from the surgery so that we can remain fully staffed and protect vulnerable patients that have other health needs that need monitoring.

We are offering more telephone consultations with the GP and trying to conduct medication reviews over the phone wherever possible.  There is also a more robust triage system in place and more patients will speak with a clinician before being offered face to face appointments.

Updates form the surgery will be issued on the practice website and also on facebook via local village groups. 

Prescriptions can be collected by a relative/neighbour for any of our vulnerable patients that are self isolating.  It would be helpful if the resident in isolation could ring the dispensary to say someone will be collecting on their behalf to be on the safe side.

School News

CMAT (Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust) who look after both Swavesey Village College and Northstowe Secondary School continue to have information on their website and communicate through Parentmail to parents. 

Hatton Park Primary will inform parents of ongoing news through Parentmail and paper copies of letters.  Should the school close, work will be made available on the website. 

Pathfinder Primary School continue to use Facebook, Parentmail and internal mail to keep parents informed of any news.