‘Rapid scaling up’ of NHS facilities

“Work is also in hand to explore how we might use students... to support our efforts. HEALTH SECRETARY JEANE FREEMAN

More than £1 million is being spent on a “rapid scaling up” of NHS facilities for video consultations in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.

The Scottish Government is putting £1.24 million into the NHS Near Me system, which is used for outpatient appointments with consultants.

The increase in cases of Covid-19 means it could also be used for GP appointments, with Ms Freeman saying this will help to reduce face-toface contact.

She told MSPS at Holyrood yesterday such a move will be necessary “should there be significant increases in the need for self-isolation”.

As well as scaling up the support for video consultations, she revealed the Scottish Government is also considering how trainee doctors and nurses could be drafted in to help the NHS effort.

The Scottish Government has already announced it is looking at how recently retired medical professionals could be brought in to bolster the number of staff working in the service.

Ms Freeman said: “Work is also in hand to explore how we might use students who are close to finishing their training in nursing and in medicine to allow them to be registered temporarily to support our efforts.”

Further work is taking place to help NHS 24 cope with an increase in demand for its services, with Ms Freeman saying the advice service could do telephone consultations.

She insisted no measures have been ruled out as the NHS seeks to deal with virus.

Picture: PA. Racegoers use hand sanitiser to keep their hands clean on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.