Dear Patients,
This is a difficult time for us all, and the advice about what to do changes daily, if not more frequently. It is hard to keep up but the message is becoming clearer regarding minimising interpersonal contact whilst at the same time trying to get on with our lives.
This pandemic will hopefully pass within months, if not sooner, however until it does I would like to try to continue to provide the best of care for all my patients, whilst minimising risks to them, my staff, my family and myself and the wider community.
Therefore, I will be offering various “non-contact” methods of consultation and post operative reviews where possible. This may include consultation via:
- Telephone
- Skype (or other video-conferencing means)
Given the likelihood of reduced operating theatre access in the future I will endeavour to “fast track” procedures over the coming weeks.
What does this mean for you?
Please consider what means of consultation will suit your needs i.e.
- Phone consultation
- Videoconference?
- Sending photos followed by a phone call or video conference?
- Preliminary consultation to answer some questions that might help decide when or if to have surgery
- Targeted online research
- Come in for consultation sooner rather than putting it off
- Deferring consultation and/or surgery
What can you do to help?
- Be understanding about changes to scheduling as often these will be at last minute
- Provide as much information as possible pre-consult
- Photos
- Biopsy results
- Referral letters
- Summary of questions they would like to ask during consultations
Thank you very much for your understanding and patience at this extraordinary time. Please feel free to ask any questions, there are no silly questions and we can all help and learn from each other.
Kind regards,
Dean
