Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 4
Short survey of dentists in the City of London
Since Healthwatch City of London’s survey of dentists and hospital dental provision was conducted 20-22 May 2020 (see previous bulletin for full report), NHS England’s Chief Dental Officer had asked all dental practices to start opening from Monday 8th June.
A quick phone around of a representative sample of NHS, private and mixed practices on 9 June revealed no practices were open for routine appointments and treatment. They were all trying to do their best to help patients in pain and/or needing urgent or emergency care.
Key finding tells us that surgeries may not open every day, opening hours could be shorter, starting later and finishing earlier and only one or two patients may be allowed in at any one time. All areas would have to be frequently and thoroughly cleaned, as well as being adequately ventilated.
You can read more here. Note that all findings were correct as of 9th June 2020.
Opticians now open
A number of opticians have now reopened across the City. You will need to check your usual opticians but here is a summary guide:
Eye Contact, Unit 2 The Arcades, Liverpool Street, EC2M 7PN Tel: 020 7626 7232
Service: At present emergencies only. From 1st July 9:00am – 5:30pm. Mon to Fri
P. Shah Opticians, 152 City Road, London, EC1V 2NP Tel: 020 7253 1309
Service: At present 9:00am – 12:00pm. Next week 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon to Fri
Specsavers Liverpool Street, 152 Bishopsgate, London, Tel: 020 7377 7970
Service: Essential only: 10:00am – 5:30pm. Mon to Fri
Specsavers London Wall, 150-151 Salisbury House Shops, London Wall, EC2M 5QD
Tel: 020 7330 1130. Service: Essential only: 10:00am – 5:30pm Mon to Fri
Specsavers Holborn, Unit 4, 311-318 High Holborn, London, Tel: 020 7440 9590
Service: Essential only: 10:00am – 5:30pm. Mon to Fri
Boots Holborn, 122 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD Tel: 020 7404 4519
Service: 9:00am – 6:00pm Appointment only. Mon to Fri
Fleet Street Clinic, 29 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1AA Tel: 020 7353 5078
Service: From next week demand only and emergencies
City Eyes Ophthalmic Optician, Suite 91, 65 London Wall, EC2M 5PU Tel: 020 7638 6196 Service: 12:00pm – 5:30pm. Mon - Fri
Hodd Barnes and Dickins, 11 Mason Avenue, London, EC2V 5HR Tel: 020 7600 8961 Service: 10:00am – 2:00pm Appointment only. Mon - Fri
Two new services for the City
The City Wellbeing Centre, a mental health centre for City residents, is now open for video appointments. The Centre is commissioned by the City of London Corporation. The counselling and psychotherapy available at the Centre is designed to allow City residents and workers to reflect on and explore the things that they are finding distressing or upsetting, with the aim of helping them to feel less sad, worried or disturbed about current or past events, or relationships. The therapy delivered by the City Wellbeing Centre will be available to all, including people on low incomes. We are looking into the referrals pathways for this service, and will let you know when we find out more information. Please visit their website. https://www.citywellbeingcentre.org/
A new bereavement service is available for children and young people across the City and Hackney. St Joseph’s Hospice is offering support to children, young people and families who have lost a family member, care giver or other significant person due to Covid-19.
This is available free of charge to children and young people up to the age of 18 who either live in City & Hackney or are registered with a City & Hackney GP.
If you, or a child or young person you are aware of, could benefit from a chance to talk to someone about a death due to Covid-19, you can self-refer for an assessment via the First Contact team on 0300 303 0400 or ask a GP or other professional to complete a referral on your behalf.
High street pharmacies open safe space for victims of domestic abuse
Boots and Superdrug Pharmacy Consultation Rooms become safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse.
Victims of domestic abuse are now able to access safe spaces at 2,400 Boots pharmacies and all 200 Superdrug pharmacies across the country, where they can contact specialist domestic abuse services for support and advice. Staff are trained to recognise potential victims. The scheme is in response to the desperate situation facing many victims who are isolating with perpetrators during lockdown.
While in the consultation room, people will have access to a phone line and contact details of domestic abuse helpline and support organisations.
HWCoL are looking to confirm which premises will offer this and will make this known via our website.
Keep up to date with the latest advice
HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.
Please take the time to let us know of your experiences of Health and Social Care during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can access all of our surveys on this page.
Get in touch with Healthwatch City of London
Visit our website for more information, news and events, have your say about your care, and spread the word about Healthwatch City of London.
www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Tel: 020 3745 9563
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 14-16 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
