Surgeries and GP's across south west Hertfordshire are beginning to close to all patients in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

For weeks, patients who have travelled to locked down regions in the world have been told to avoid going to health centres - but the government moving to the 'delay' phase has prompted further restrictions.

Now, patients who are not even showing mild symptoms of coronavirus are being told to stay away to "protect the safety of patients and staff".

Notices have been going out on surgery websites and on social media.

Here is a list of some of the surgeries we are aware of that has taken action.

Watford/Bushey/Three Rivers

Suthergrey Surgery in Watford has put a notice on the door which says the surgery is restricted to staff only due to the coronavirus situation.

The notice adds that the surgery has shut with immediate effect. A triage system will operate for new and urgent patient concerns.

And as of Monday, the surgery will only be offering telephone calls for appointments.

Watford Observer:

Manor View Practice, which has sites in Bushey and in Leavesden Road in Watford say no one should enter the surgery "unless advised to do so". The situation will be reviewed daily. The surgery says it is taking guidance from Public Health England.

Sheepcot Medical Centre says it has made the "difficult decision" to close its doors. The surgery website says phone lines will be switched on and appointments will go ahead as telephone or video calls.

From yesterday (March 13) Cassio Surgery and Upton Road Surgery in Watford, patients are asked to not go to the surgery. Patients will need to receive a call from a medical professional to book an appointment.

Garston Medical Centre says the urgent sit and wait clinic has been temporarily suspended from Monday (March 16) until further notice to allow the practice to plan ahead for the Covid-19 outbreak. An alternative service is to be announced, the surgery website says.

Little Bushey Surgery has tweeted 'Do not come to the surgery unless absolutely necessary'. A further tweet said a patient came in with a temperature of over 39 degrees but they said they were "unaware" they had a fever, The surgery urged patients not to put others at risk.

New Road Surgery in Croxley Green says it is temporarily stopping its online patient appointment booking facility. Patients must call the surgery to book an appointment.

Face-to-face appointments have also been temporarily suspended at Vine House Medical Centre in Abbots Langley, according its website.

Borehamwood

Fairbrook Medical Centre has asked that patients do not come down to the surgery and queue at 8.30am or 2pm. Patients should phone the surgery.

The Grove Medical Centre, which closed temporarily for a few hours earlier this week as a precautionary measure, is offering triage appointments only and have stopped all routine bookings.

St Albans

Lattimore & Village Surgery in London Colney and Midway Surgery in St Albans says all pre-booked and urgent appointments will be triaged by the doctor via telephone only.

The Maltings Surgery in St Albans says since March 11, all face-to-face appointments have been cancelled.

Please check your local surgery website for full details and updates.

If you know of any other surgeries affected, email nathan.louis@newsquest.co.uk

The following NHS advice applies to ALL surgery patients.

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if displaying these symptoms.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

Read the NHS advice about staying home

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • your condition gets worse
  • your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
  • Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Further information is available on nhs.uk/coronavirus.

As of 9am on March 13, 32,771 people have been tested in the UK, of which 31,973 were confirmed negative and 798 were confirmed as positive. Ten who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

Twenty cases of Covid-19 have been identified by Public Health England in Hertfordshire. One patient in the county has died.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates.