Outbreak access to your GP
Access to GP services has changed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
All patients attending local health centres are required to have a telephone triage in the first instance so that health professionals can assess the need to attend the surgery.
Patients should not go to surgery unless advised by a health professional.
In Crieff, doctors are only dealing with urgent health problems.
A spokesperson for Crieff Medical Centre said: “As you are aware we are now in a coronavirus pandemic.
“In order to provide the safest care we are only dealing with urgent health problems. If you feel your problem is urgent please phone the surgery.
“A clinician will speak to you and deal with your problem over the phone. Should you need to be seen at the surgery, the clinician will guide you as to how this will be done. Do not attend the surgery unless directed to do so by staff.
“Please follow health protection advice – if you have a new persistent cough or fever and you live alone you should stay at home and self isolate for seven days.
“If you live with other people and someone develops symptoms all of the household should stay at home and self isolate for 14 days, even if they are well.
“You do not need to let us know you have symptoms.
“Contrary to BBC news at present no testing for coronavirus is taking place in the community at the surgery.
“Should your symptoms not get better after seven days or you feel like you can not cope with the symptoms at home please phone the surgery and you will be advised by a clinician.”
In Comrie, the medical centre is open as usual but only those with appointments should attend.
When making an appointment, patients will be triaged over the phone by either a doctor or nurse and given advice accordingly.
And on attending the surgery, patients will have their temperature taken at the door before they are seen.
Comrie practice GP Dr Phil Tipping said times were challenging but local surgeries were being kept well informed by Tayside Health Board.
Speaking on Monday, he told the Herald: “There was a video conference meeting last night for all the GPs in Tayside with all the experts and senior clinicians where we were given all the up-to-date information.
“In Comrie we are following that to the letter.”
Dr Tipping added: “A lot of things can be dealt with over the phone – we don’t always need to see people face-to-face.
“We only want those who need to be seen face to face to attend the surgery. This will ensure that any spread of coronavirus is minimised especially to the elderly and frail.”