Surgery shuts its doors to patients
A medical practice in Perth has closed its front door to patients, sparking worries about how people will access repeat prescriptions.
On Monday the Glover Street Medical Centre in the city was the first doctor’s surgery to turn away the public due to fears of coronavirus spread.
A notice was posted in the window of the health centre opposite the Dewars Centre, telling walk-ins to stay away.
Online the Glover Street practice stated: “Coronavirus Update Monday, March 16, 2020.
“Today we are advising patients not to attend the health centre unless absolutely critical.
“You will be met at the front door by a GP who will ask your reason for attending.
“At this time we also will be sending all prescription requests to a local pharmacy of your choice.
“All medical certificates (fit notes) will in the main be emailed to patients.
“All patients who are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or flu type symptoms are required to self isolate for seven days.
“Do not attend your GP practice. Seek advice from the NHS inform website.
“We appreciate your cooperation at this very challenging time.”
Meanwhile in Pitlochry, The Atholl Medical Centre was closed “until further notice”.
The surgery on Ferry Road put a post on its Facebook page at 10am yesterday.
It said: “As per NHS Tayside the practice is now closed until further notice.
“Please do not attend the surgery unless instructed to do so by a clinician. All routine appointments will be cancelled.
“For anyone with an emergency, you can still call the practice, but you will be given a call back by a clinician and given advice over the phone.
“For those who feel they have symptoms of coronavirus, the advice is to self-isolate for seven days and to call in for advice.
“Please bear with us during these times. The surgery will keep you updated as much as we can.”
But in a town with an aging population, the move left urgent questions from bewildered local residents.
Carol Aitken messaged the practice to ask: “What about those people who need repeat prescriptions for medication?”
Yvonne Mitchell said: “What about repeat prescriptions if you have long-term medication?”
Mark Mcghee joined the thread: “I need to know this too for my elderly friend.”
Atholl Medical Centre pledged to deal with these items via email and over the phone.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside told the PA that as independent contractors, it is up to individual GP surgeries to decide on whether or not to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.