COVID-19 Practice Nursing Tips

Here are some things that I am doing or planning on doing in the practice as lockdown eases… Just suggestions to bring up with the wider team and of course, be mindful of the guidelines created by your CCG/ GP Care Group/ Federation/ Primary Care Networ

1. Reassure parents you are doing everything you can to keep them and their babies safe. I created this video: “Immunisation information for parents and carers of babies less than 1 year” It was certainly a quick job, but it meant that I could text this to parents/carers and then do a quick follow up call to answer any questions and prepare them for their visit.

2. Get going with cervical screening ASAP after lockdown and do a search to highlight women with high risk HPV or that are overdue their smears. It is likely that these women will be prioritised in the first instance. Check your audit for anyone who may have been lost to colposcopy follow up and has not been rebooked. If you don’t audit your smears, here is an Excel spreadsheet that I use. You can also search by user using EMISweb.

Cytology Audit

3. Identify patients at risk of complications of COVID-19 and prioritise them for review as lockdown eases

4. Video calls for asthma reviews: I have not stopped doing asthma reviews throughout lockdown, due to the availability of secure and NHS approved video calls.

5. Review who needs B12 injections due to pernicious anaemia, inflammatory bowel disease or bariatric surgery; and who has a dietary deficiency.

British Society of Haematology Guidelines on Vitamin B12 Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Vitamin B12 and bariatric surgery – advice during COVID-19

6. Check your flu order- make sure it is confirmed

Best wishes, Kelly