NHS hubs now live

As part of the emergency response to the pandemic, NHS Lanarkshire has now established a Community Telephone Triage Hub and two Covid-19 Assessment Centres in the area.

Members of the public are warned that testing will not be available from these facilities and assessment is strictly by prior appointment only.

Maria Docherty, Nurse Director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “As the number of people with symptoms grows, we are adapting quickly to manage demand.

“The establishment of these centres is part of emergency operational arrangements being undertaken in line with Scottish Government plans.”

“It is clear that we face a challenge which we have not seen before in our lifetime.

“Following the steps detailed is vitally important in helping NHS Lanarkshire to get the right help at the right time to people when they require it.

“We understand that this is a very anxious time, however everyone has a duty to minimise the spread of the virus and keep our staff safe so they can continue to care for people.”

Patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are now being asked to dial NHS 24 on 111, day or night, if their symptoms worsen or do not improve after seven days.

Please do not call your practice or go to the surgery. If you require a sick note due to coronavirus, you can get this from the NHS Inform website.

This will provide patients with a straightforward dedicated route to clinical advice and support.

Callers to the 111 helpline will be assessed. If necessary, following this initial assessment, information will be forwarded to a local community hub in Lanarkshire staffed by clinicians from across the healthcare system. The staff at the hub will call you back.

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 centre for further treatment.

NHS Inform’s coronavirus webpage is still the fastest way for people to get the latest health advice and information. There is also a free NHS 24 helpline for people without symptoms looking for general information. Call 0800 028 2816

For patients who do not have any coronavirus symptoms, they should continue to telephone their practice when open and not call NHS 24.

In the out of hours period, when displaying symptoms other than coronavirus, you should only call 111 if you need urgent help and cannot wait until your practice is open.