A HALSTEAD surgery is continuing to urge patients to follow their restricted services following the government’s lockdown.

The Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery on Factory Lane West first began to impose a limited service for patients more than two weeks ago, closing its morning walk-in service.

Restrictions on face-to-face interactions between staff and patients since escalated with the surgery now imposing greater restrictions on appointments and prescriptions.

In a statement, the surgery said: “Due to the current situation with coronavirus and to protect all patients and staff we are now doing all appointments by telephone triage.

“Please do not attend the surgery, the clinician will ring you. Your cooperation is appreciated.

“Appointments for dressings, some type of injections can still be booked but all patients will be telephoned beforehand but the open access clinic will be closed until further notice.

“Due to the current situation and to prevent a shortage we will only be issuing 28 days supply of all medications.”

Other surgeries in surrounding villages have also increased restrictions on services.

The Freshwell Health Centre in Finchingfield introduced a ban on patients attending except on staff advice last week.

The surgery’s doors are now locked to limit entry.

Patient are still allowed to see GPs but only after they have been assessed over the phone.

Due to heavy demand, the surgery is also asking patients to allow five days for the dispensary to prepare their prescriptions and are.

The same restrictions have also been implemented at both the Pump House Surgery in Earls Colne and Hedingham Medical Centre surgeries in Castle Hedingham, Sible Hedingham and Great Yeldham.

The Freshwell Health Centre is also looking to set up a system to to get prescriptions to isolated patients.

For more information on surgery restrictions, you can visit their websites at elizabethcourtauld.gpsurgery.net, hedmed.co.uk, thepumphousesurgery.co.uk and freshwell.co.uk.