Coronavirus Kent: Headcorn Surgery closes as staff member self-isolates
22:39, 12 March 2020
updated: 16:27, 13 March 2020
A village surgery has closed after announcing a member of its clinical team may have coronavirus.
Headcorn surgery will remain closed until March 16 and the unidentified member of staff is in isolation while a deep clean takes place.
Scroll down for video
The surgery posted a statement on its website last night, and urged patients to alert friends and family who may not have access to the internet.
Headcorn Pharmacy, which is in the same building as the surgery, is closed and only handing out emergency prescriptions.
Several have collected their medication while others are waiting until Monday, if it’s not an emergency.
Pharmacist Hargett Biant said those who were unable to collect their medication could take their prescription to a different pharmacy.
Speaking about working in an space which is being deep cleaned because of a possible coronavirus case, he said: “What can you do? Everyone is in the same boat. It’s an unprecedented situation. If anyone who works here has the virus then we will self-isolate.”
It comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kent rose to 11, with Prime Minster Boris Johnson announcing that anyone with mild fever symptoms should stay at home for seven days,
The surgery's statement said: "A member of our clinical team has been identified as a possible Covid-19 case. To protect other patients and members of the public, the individual is currently in isolation.
"In line with Public Health England (PHE) guidance, Headcorn Surgery is closed for cleaning to remove any potential risk for patients.
- Follow our live coronavirus blog here
- Stay up to date on our dedicated coronavirus Facebook page
Headcorn Surgery say from Monday 16, it will be operating an altered service in an attempt to mitigate the risks.
"We will no longer be operating a walk in clinic and will instead be initiating a telephone triage system to protect both our patients and staff.
"Patients requiring appointments will need to call the Practice from 8am and give details of their symptoms; a GP will then call each patient and either give advice over the telephone or invite patients to attend a face to face appointment that day.
"The doors to the Surgery will remain locked and only those with pre-booked appointments who have gone through the triage process will be allowed to enter. All other matters will be dealt with over the telephone."
"We would ask that patients assist us by informing friends and family who may not have access to the internet, thank you for your patience during this time."
Bill Murray, 70, owner of a tearoom in Headcorn arrived at the pharmacy this morning to pick up insulin and needles which he needs to inject the medication. He uses the insulin three or four times a day.
He was able to pick up insulin but not the needles.
He said: “I have enough needles to last me until Monday but otherwise I’ll be in trouble.”
Charlotte Taylor, 30, visited the surgery with her three-year-old daughter twice this week.
She said her daughter's pre-school have now asked her not to come in as a precaution.
"It rang me this morning expressing concerns as my child became poorly with a flare up of asthma. It now has concerns about her going back on Monday.
"I’m very frightened for my little girl as she already suffers with asthma. I’m concerned that she will become more unwell if she does come down with it."
One man tried to ring the pharmacy this morning to arrange to pick up emergency medication for his elderly mother.
However, the phone line was constantly engaged.
After waiting for about five minutes, he was given a month’s worth of medication. His mother has respiratory and heart problems.
The man, who does not wish to be named, said: “I would like to commend the pharmacist, he’s doing the best in adverse conditions. He’s doing a sterling job.”
Patrick Hammond, 73, had been told by the surgery yesterday evening that the pharmacy would be open, but arrived this morning to discover it was closed. The surgery had rung to cancel his appointment with a nurse due to take place this morning.
However, after waiting for about five minutes he was able to pick up blood pressure tablets for his wife, which she needed before they went on a 10-day cruise around Spain.
He did not seem too concerned about the coronavirus and said: “If you fall off your perch you fall off your perch.”
Andrew Loutey, a writer from Headcorn, arrived to pick up his prescription to find the surgery had closed. However, he was still able to get his medication.
He said: “It looks severe. I have never known the surgery to close since it opened in 2013.”
He said it was good the decision to close the GP practice was made so quickly.
“I’m sure it’s better than faffing around and waiting for someone else to make the decision.”
One patient who arrived for a general check-up at the surgery had to turn back around.
The man who didn’t want to be named, said: “I rang yesterday and they said if you turn up and join a big queue you will be seen. We will just have to get on with it.”
A doctor's surgery in Maidstone is no longer accepting walk-in appointments, after three people arrived presenting with symptoms of the coronavirus.
Albion Place have made the decision in order to protect their elderly patients, who are more likely to catch the disease.
Deepa Robin, general practice manager said: "Three people have come in over the past two days with coughs and respiratory problems even though there are signs up saying do not enter if you have coronavirus symptoms. One rang later and said they were self-isolating, but didn't confirm that they had caught it. We don't want our elderly patients to get infected."
"Please stay at home unless you have to go the practice. We don't want any deaths at our surgery."
The surgery's front doors are now locked but patients with booked appointment or those who need to come into the building, can buzz the bell through the back door.
In other developments today, a member of staff at Saga has tested positive for coronavirus.
