Arran and coronavirus – what you need to know

With government advice urging people to avoid social contact and to stay away from pubs and restaurants, a number of business have shut their doors in order to help contain the virus. However, most shops and services remain open.

With circumstances changing on an hourly basis it is difficult to compile a list of what services are still available on Arran and which business are operating as usual but here is a rough guide.

Hospitals

Please do not attend the Arran War Memorial Hospital if you have symptoms – phone the medical centre or NHS 24 and you will be given telephone advice and it will be arranged for a GP to see you if needed.

Accident and Emergency will continue to function and those with injuries and urgent problems may attend as usual. In an emergency please phone 999.

Visiting hours are suspended and only ‘essential’ visits are allowed, so no relatives can visit. Most physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hospital day cases, and many outpatient clinics have also been suspended.

A free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.

Medical centres

Due to the continuing COVID 19 situation, Brodick Health Centre, Whiting Bay and Lochranza Surgeries have been closed. Shiskine and Lamlash are in operation but they are not open for visitors.

All first contact will be telephone consultations. Please phone 600516 as normal, but be aware it will only be phone consultations at the initial stages.

If you have COVID19 symptoms, please consult www.nhs.inform before phoning Arran Medical Group.

Food suppliers

The big Co-op in Brodick is continuing to operate as normal with adequate supply of all products. It has however bolstered its delivery service and anyone that is self-isolating is welcome to call Liz Mclean or Carol Harwood on 302515 with a shopping list and they will pick, pack and deliver orders as soon as possible.

Messages can be left on the answering machine and someone will return calls.

There is no need to register and customers are encouraged to call the day before, for next day delivery.

Those making use of Arran Haulage for shopping deliveries from Asda can continue to do so by using the Glasgow depo postcode of G52 4NQ as the delivery address. Deliveries can be collected from the Brodick yard.

Call Arran Haulage on 302 777.

Churches

All churches are closed, however, some will be leaving their doors open for visitors to worship. Brodick Church in particular will be leaving its doors open for visitors needing to make use of the foodbank. The Free Church (continuing) in Brodick will continue as normal meantime.

Pharmacies

Both pharmacies on Arran, the Brodick and Lamlash pharmacies are both operating as usual and will continue to do so as long as they can maintain staffing levels. They have, however, asked for patience from customers as some repeat prescriptions are taking slightly longer than the usual three days owing to demand.

Food deliveries

The Lochranza Centre is happy to take orders for a hot meal to be delivered to the door between the hours of 5pm and 7pm for residents in Lochranza, Catacol and Pirnmill. These will be delivered in a disposable takeaway form. These will be provided on a ‘pay what you can, when you can’ basis. The centre itself will also be open for any community support activity. The Lochranza Centre can be reached at 830 637.

Wiltshire Farm Foods continues to operate as normal with a two-weekly frozen meals delivery service to Arran. For any advice on the referral service please contact Social Services, Lamlash on 6007410. For ordering and delivery advice please contact 012944 551734.

Hooked and Cooked of Arran remains open every day from noon to 8pm. Customers are welcome to phone in their orders on 302 656 and a member of staff will bring it to their car.

Transport

At the time of going to press all CalMac sailings and Stagecoach bus services are operating as normal.

Dentists

Lamlash Dental Surgery is open and operating as usual, however, it is only able to accept emergency appointments at the time of going to print. Patients are to be unaccompanied and contact must be made beforehand on 601067. Jenkins Dental Surgery in Brodick is also only allowed to provide emergency appointments for its registered patients. Patients with coronavirus will be required to attend an emergency clinic on the mainland. Further advice or emergency appointments can be made by contacting the surgery on 303800.

Schools, nurseries and colleges

All schools on Arran will be shut from today (Friday) following an announcement made late on Wednesday to close schools and nurseries across Scotland. The Argyll College UHI in Lamlash has also suspended the delivery of faceto-face teaching, including video conference classes and placement activities.

Emergency services

Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service and Arran Mountain Rescue Team are operating as normal, albeit under added pressure. In emergencies call 999 and any relevant information or requirements will be provided.

Beauty and body care

Island Hair and Beauty is closed until further notice, as is the Aspa at Auchrannie.

General suppliers

MBS Building and Timber Supplies which also stocks a wide range of household items, is offering a fiveday-a-week delivery service for orders over £25. MBS can be contacted on 700202.

Health and travel advice

For the latest health and travel advice, visit https://www.nhsinform. scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ infections-and-poisoning/ coronavirus-covid-19#