RESIDENTS are being reassured that they can still seek advice from their GP if they are worried about their health.

Winsford Dr Jonathan Griffiths fears some patients may not realise that although surgeries are closed due to the pandemic, GPs are still working.

Dr Griffiths, a GP at Swanlow surgery, said: "We are a little worried that we are seeing less people with potentially serious problems.

"We are worried that people are staying away and waiting until the pandemic settles. You could be forgiven for thinking that your GP surgery has closed but this is not true and your GP is still working and the surgery is still open for business.

"The door may be closed but the lights are on and there are definitely people there."

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Patients can still speak to a GP.

"What we have done is move to speaking to everyone on the phone first," said Dr Griffiths. "You can’t make an appointment directly to see your GP at the moment but if you speak to them first, they will work out, with you, how best to manage whatever problem you may have."

Patients who need to be examined can still be seen face to face.

"GPs are really trying to do as much as they can over the phone or via a video link," added Dr Griffiths. "But we are still seeing people who we really feel need to be seen.

"If you are worried about your health you don’t have to wait until the pandemic is over – you can call us.

"Your GP would not wish to you sit on a problem and not call only to discover later on that they could have helped."