New 'coronavirus community hub' launches in Lothians to ease pressure on GPs and hospitals

A new ‘coronavirus community hub’ has been set up in the NHS Lothian board area to ease pressure on GPs and hospitals.

The health authority said the facility, which is part of a national approach, will be staffed by a mix of nurses and doctors and will handle calls from members of the public who have already contacted NHS 24’s 111 phone line. Anyone put through to the hub may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and may need further assessment and advice.

As well as providing information and reassurance, the hub service will facilitate face to face scheduled appointments for anyone who may need further clinical assessment, but who do not need emergency care.

David Small, director of Primary Care Transformation, NHS Lothian, said: “For many weeks now, we have been working hard to increase capacity across our services.

This photo taken on March 6th, 2020 shows medical staff waiting outside rooms at the Red Cross hospital in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province.

“The launch of the new Community Hub will help ease some of the pressure that both GP practices and NHS24 have been experiencing as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“At one Lothian GP practice alone, we experienced over 150 extra calls in a single day from patients worried about coronavirus (COVID-19). The Hub will help to better manage this demand, providing information, advice and clinical assessment, meaning that both GP and hospital resources can focus on managing patients with other conditions.

“In what is no doubt a challenging and unsettling time for many, I hope that by sharing these plans, it will offer some reassurance.”

The public should continue to use NHS Inform for information and advice, and to call NHS24 on 111 if they have symptoms of coronavirus which are not improving. Calls will be sent to the Community Hub as a priority if they require more specialist advice.

To stay up to date with the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) advice, visit NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

A free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice. This can be accessed by calling 0800 028 2816. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8:00am –10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am – 6:00pm.