Services are being affected by staff self-isolating at a Grantham surgery.

Patients are also asked to use an app to make appointments to help reduce the pressure.

The St Peters Hill Surgery posted on social media last night: "Unfortunately, following confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, a number of people in our practice team have been advised to self-isolate. This has affected both clinical and administrative teams.

"Our priority is to ensure the safety of both our staff and patients, whilst being in a position to safely deliver the services required.

"We would like to reassure you that we are remaining open and continuing to work, within the current capacity, but the lower staffing level may affect how quickly we are able to respond to you when you contact the surgery and may lead to some routine pre-booked appointments being postponed over the next week or so."

The surgery continued: "If your appointment is affected, we will contact you to discuss this and rearrange where possible.

"We ask that you contact us via the online tool askmyGP, which can be found on the St Peter's Hill Surgery website www.stpetershillsurgery.co.uk and leave the telephone lines available for the elderly and vulnerable patients that may only have that means of communication.

"If you do have to telephone us please be aware that there may be a long wait until one of the team can assist you.

"Thank you for your continued support and understanding at what is a difficult and trying time for us all. Stay safe."

In the meantime, the surgery has urged people not to contact it about vaccinations.

The surgery has also posted: "We are conscious that many of you will be anxious and keen to be vaccinated as quickly as possible but PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY asking when you will be offered an appointment.

"We are working together with other local practices across the Grantham and Sleaford area to deliver the vaccination campaign, and we are very much limited by vaccine supply from central NHS resources.

"At the moment we have also been asked to prioritise patients and staff in residential nursing and care homes, those aged over 80 years old that are mobile and frontline healthcare workers.

"We are working through these groups of patients as and when stock of the vaccine becomes available. Please be assured that as soon as we are able to offer vaccinations to your eligible cohort, you will be offered an opportunity to take up an appointment."