Swann visits the first of 13 new Gp-run units for suspected cases

A NEW centre for assessing suspected coronavirus cases is opening in Londonderry in a bid to prevent hospital wards becoming overwhelmed.

The unit will be based at Altnagelvin Hospital and staffed by GPS.

Patients will be assessed in an out-of-hours urgent care building and if necessary transferred to specialist wards.

More centres will open in the coming days, with at least one Covid-19 centre in each Trust area.

Dr Tom Black, chairman of Northern Ireland’s British Medical Association (BMA), said: “This has been shown in Italy and other countries that this is how we save lives.”

The triage service is designed for those who are moderately ill and do not need an ambulance.

It is the first of 13 similar centres being established in Northern

Ireland, enlisting the expertise of GPS, while reducing the pressure on hospital beds and intensive care units.

Dr Black said: “In about two weeks’ time, the surge will be here and the needs of our patients will be overwhelming.

“This is a way of increasing the capacity of the system to deal with increased numbers, to deal with them appropriately, to try to keep them out of hospital beds.

“The biggest risk we have is that hospital beds and ICUS and ventilators will become overwhelmed.

“The Covid centres are here to try and protect those services by dealing with as many patients in the community as possible.”

Health Minister Robin Swann (above) said the Primary Care Covid-19 Centres “are an essential part of the fight against this virus”.

“To ensure vital GP services can be maintained throughout the coming weeks and months, it is absolutely critical that those who show symptoms are separated from the patients with non Covid-19 related conditions,” he said.

“Covid-19 centres are not testing facilities and are only for patients who are very unwell, are suspected of having Covid-19 and require medical attention.

“Patients will not be able to report directly to these centres without being referred by their GP or Out of Hours provider.

“Whilst the centres will help to free up GP services to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vital we balance this with the need for primary care services to continue with the minimum of disruption.”

Patients attending these centres will receive appropriate treatment, assessment and, if necessary, onward referral to hospital.

Dr Black said: “GPS have organised themselves quickly and there has been a huge amount of work done between the Department of Health, the Health and Social Care Board, Trusts and GP Federations.”