Special assessment hubs have helped more than 2,000 patients

Five community assessment hubs are now up and running in Dundee, Perth, Arbroath, Montrose and Forfar.

With support from local GPs, the hubs are now seeing patients with ongoing coronavirus-related concerns.

Since the hubs have been in operation, they have provided advice to more than 2,000 people, with 570 attendances.

NHS Tayside’s associate medical director for primary care, Dr Jane Bruce, said: “The hubs are all running smoothly and patients are reporting it’s easy to navigate through the system.

“Thanks to the dedication and collaborative working of NHS Tayside staff, we have been able to deliver on the hub model in a very short space of time.

“It has been a real team effort from our colleagues in estates helping getting the hubs built, to working with our admin and clerical staff to support the work of the health care workers, nursing and GP staff.

“By working together we can now deliver appropriate care and treatment for our patients.”

Callers to the 111 helpline will be assessed and, if necessary, transferred to a centre where a GP will conduct a telephone consultation.

Depending on their assessment, patients may be given advice to help them continue self-isolating at home or be given an appointment to attend a local assessment hub.

Patients who are asked to attend the hub will drive into a covered area to be examined and assessed in their car by a clinician.

Members of the public can only attend these hubs if they have been invited by a GP working at the facility.

Assessments will only be conducted via a prearranged appointment.