Virus assessment hub is set up at PRI
Centre helps ease mounting pressure
A coronavirus assessment hub has been set up at Perth Royal Infirmary as the battle against the pandemic escalates.
The temporary facility has been set up at the city’s hospital on Taymount Terrace to assess individuals with symptoms of the virus who feel they are too ill to continue self-isolating and may need further medical assistance.
The development comes as the region faces its first full week of closures to all schools, pubs, clubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas, with many shops following suit.
On Tuesday, it was announced that 584 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Scotland, with 16 deaths.
The figure was announced in the wake of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealing the assessment centre programme, which will see similar facilities to the one in Perth being created across the country.
At the same time, she also called on shops not selling essential items to close, along with the likes of building sites and hairdressers.
Patients will be asked to contact NHS 24 on the 111 number as a first port of call to discuss their symptoms before being contacted by a GP directly to see whether an assessment at the centre may be necessary.
The assessment will not test whether the patient is positive for Covid-19, but will instead be used to check whether individuals presenting worsening symptoms may require further medical care.
Following a “thorough examination”, patients could be given advice and treatment – such as a prescription or the actual medicine – or it could result in a swift transfer to the hospital if necessary.
It is hoped the pop- up facility will alleviate pressure on Perth and Kinoss GPs, who are currently facing an unprecedented volume of patient appointments in the face of the outbreak.
The service also aims to cover rural and remote communities as well and will also aid those who are in urgent need of additional care, but do not have Covid-19 symptoms.
Dr Jane Bruce, associate medical director of primary care at NHS Tayside, said the current plan is for patients calling to report worsening symptoms to receive a call back from their own family doctor, but added officials are dealing with a “totally evolving situation”.
She said: “The whole purpose of this is to provide safe, efficient and effective care for patients across Scotland, and now people in Tayside, as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.
“Patients with respiratory symptoms will all be assessed in a coronavirus unit and that will free-up GPs, who are very stretched at the moment, to work in their own surgeries and see everyday problems.
“It could be advice and being sent back home, it could be advice and treatment such as a prescription or the actual medicine out-of-hours, or it could be a seamless transfer to hospital.’’
An assessment centre has also been set up at Kings Cross in Dundee, with three more hubs planned in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose.
The whole purpose of this is to provide safe, efficient and effective care for patients in Tayside Dr Jane Bruce