Important Notice

As we all know, Covid 19 is re-surging. County Monaghan currently has the highest 14 day incidence of infection in the country. 

It is imperative for each and everyone of us to strictly  follow public health advice so as to minimise illness and reduce the chances of our GP/hospital services being overwhelmed over the next few weeks. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccinations on the horizon over the next number of months. Unfortunately they will not come quickly  enough to prevent this surge so we must again "flatten the curve" through individual responsibility and lockdown. 

We need you now  to know how the practice is going to  operate over the coming weeks.  It is essential that  we keep ourselves and all our staff free from Covid 19 infection so that we can continue to provide a service to you our patients. 

1. The practice remains open and functioning. As before there is no walk in service for patients; no appointments can be made at the front door; all patients must initially  ring to seek advice and your doctor will decide the most appropriate course of action based on the information supplied.

2.  We have a new modern phone system but delays will  inevitably occur  in answering calls due to the sheer volume of patients trying to access the surgery. You can be assured that when you ring your call will be answered.  Don't hang up and attempt to ring again as this will put you at the back of the queue.  Be polite to our reception staff; they are doing a wonderful job. 

3.  For the next number of weeks we feel it will be safer to operate an urgent service only with routine healthcare deferred during this time.  However, if you feel your issue is urgent or are not sure please ring and discuss.  Routine blood tests & 24 hour blood pressure monitors  are being cancelled during this time. 

4.  We plan to continue certain services as normal during this time: childhood vaccinations; planned ante-natal visits; 2 & 6 week baby checks; cervical smears; flu vaccinations (we would still strongly  encourage those in risk groups including children from the ages of 2 to their 18th birthday to avail of this vaccine as soon as possible).  Please ring the surgery and these appointments will be arranged.

5.  No one should attend the surgery if they are in anyway symptomatic of Covid 19 or a possible close contact.  Please isolate at home and ring us  for advice.

6. Covid calls for advice are provided free of charge as are Covid tests to all patients.  We require your PPS number for this. We do not have this information on some patients particularly teenagers and young adults who have never had a medical card.  Please have this number to give to our administrative staff when you ring if at all possible. 

7.  If you live locally and are not current registered with a GP we will provide a Covid advisory service and organise testing  for  you during this time. Again your  PPSN is required for this along with your address and phone number. 

8.  For people who are seeking medical advice on non Covid issues and are liable for fees we would strongly request that you now use the debit/credit card pre-payment option when requested to by our reception staff.  It allows for a significantly more efficient and timely service for both patients and the practice. 

9.  Requests for repeat prescriptions can continue to be made by dropping a written request into the box located at the front door. However, if possible we would request that these requests now be made online through the portal which is on our website (www.carrickmacrossgp.ie) . 

10.  Many people in the coming weeks  will require certification to claim Covid welfare payments if they are unable to work due to illness or are restricting movements if deemed a close contact.  To do this they must a) contact the surgery and speak to one of the doctors who will organise a special E cert b) complete an IB1 form which  is available  on line through the Department of Social Welfare. 

We are in for a difficult number of weeks both as a county and as a nation but we will come through it.  Your cooperation during this time is very much appreciated. 

Dr. Shane Corr

Dr. Miriam Clark

Dr. Shona McCarthy

Dr. David Doran