COVID-19 update: How we are working and how to contact us

27 March 2020

We know that this is a really challenging and difficult time for young people attending GIDS or on the waiting list, as well as for your families. Although we have had to change the way we deliver our service, we are still working and will do our very best to support you and respond to any worries you may have.

On this page you will find information about how we are working, and how to contact us. Please do continue as usual to contact your local services (i.e. GP and A&E) if you have any urgent concerns as they will be best placed to support you.

For existing service users and first appointments

At the moment we are offering appointments remotely (by video-link or telephone) as well as in person, including first appointments. This is to provide the best access we can for those under GIDS. Many appointments will be by video-link. Appointments by video-link will take the same format as usual appointments. The GIDS team will be in touch before any appointment. They will give information on how to access the video-link, or if the appointment is on site explain the COVID-19 precautions in place to keep you as safe as possible.

At the moment if you would like to contact us about your care please use email – this will be the quickest way that we can get back to you. Please send us an email to gids@Tavi-Port.nhs.uk with your name, date of birth, phone number and email address someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please see below for some ideas and links to on-line resources that you may find helpful.

Short guide on what to expect at a face-to-face appointment

We have created a short guide on what to expect when you visit one of our sites for a face-to-face appointment.

Read the guide online.

Download the guide as a PDF.

For young people on the waiting list, or for general enquiries

At the moment if you would like to contact us please use email – this will be the quickest way that we can get back to you. Please send us an email to gids@tavi-port.nhs.uk with your name, phone number, email address and GP details and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

For young people attending the endocrine clinics

Message from the London and Leeds endocrinology teams about appointments

Both UCLH (University College London Hospitals) and the LGI (Leeds General Infirmary) have been working hard at the forefront of the COVID-19 crisis and so appointments during this period were cancelled. However, they are pleased to confirm that face to face appointments are beginning to resume with appropriate COVID-19 precautions in place.

If you are waiting for a first appointment and have concerns or worries, please contact your GIDS Tavistock clinician via the GIDS enquiries email, gids@Tavi-Port.nhs.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

UCLH endocrinology:

For any young person already attending the endocrinology clinic – if you have any worries or concerns about your treatment please email the UCLH team on uclh.adolescentgidservice@nhs.net.

LGI endocrinology:

For any young person already attending the endocrinology clinic – if you have any worries or concerns about your treatment please call the LGI team on 01133 922 375.​

Creative ways to stay busy in the home: some ideas for parents

• Try and have some structure in the day, with time to talk to friends, take some exercise as well as keep up with homework.
• Think of something new and different that could be done each day e.g. tidying rooms, helping with any chores, garden work or DIY, starting any creative projects together, researching new topics on the internet, arts and crafts, board games, cooking. If children or young people are off from school they are likely to be given home packs so parents might help children and young people to structure their time around this.
• Regular meal times and bedtime routines might be even more important in times of uncertainty than they are normally.

Useful places for mental health support for parents and young people

https://www.kooth.com

https://www.samaritans.org

https://youngminds.org.uk

https://www.childline.org.uk