It looks like Coronavris or COVID-19 will be with us for a few weeks or months and let’s hope when the weather improves any spreading of the virus does the opposite. In the meantime we thought it might be useful to let our patients know we’re doing our bit to help. We also thought, with the help of the NHS guidelines, it might be useful to list all the things everyone can do at this time.
Peace of mind for our patients
At Park Lane Orthodontics we’re uncompromising when it comes to cross-infection procedures and hygiene. For example, all our single-use instruments are considered clinical waste and disposed of and all other instruments are cleaned and autoclaved. We use new gloves and masks for each patient we see and wipe down the orthodontic chair, worktops and other surfaces between patients.
Additional precautions
All the team wash hands regularly although singing “Happy Birthday” twice while they do it is new! We now have tissues in the waiting-room and the contents of the bin will be disposed of as clinical waste. We will remove all magazines from the waiting area until further notice and we’ve started to wipe down all door handles including the front door and any touchable surfaces with disinfectant wipes, regularly throughout the day.
We will follow the advice of Public Health England if anyone who has been to the practice is diagnosed with the virus.
What our patients and staff can do
If you have a temperature or have recently returned from an area affected by Coronavirus, please avoid attending the practice for a 2 week period.
You may need to get medical advice if you’ve recently travelled to the UK from somewhere with a higher risk of Coronavirus.
These places are:
- Cambodia
- China
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Italy – only northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini)
- Japan
- Laos
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Tenerife – only the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel
- Thailand
- Vietnam
If you’ve been to one of these places in the last 14 days, find out what to do using the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service.
https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Symptoms of coronavirus
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
How coronavirus is spread
Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how Coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.
Do I need to avoid public places?
Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.
You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to by the 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.
How to avoid catching or spreading Coronavirus
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 straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Check if you need medical help
NHS 111 has an online Coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
- you think you might have Coronavirus
- in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of Coronavirus – see our coronavirus advice for travellers
- you’ve been in close contact with someone with Coronavirus
Use the 111 coronavirus service Information:
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.
Thank you for your understanding