NHS Fife launch coronavirus website to keep people informed

Across Scotland, services have been scaled back so health services can tackle the virus, leading to cancellations of all but the must urgent procedures, and changes to a number of local services.

In order to keep people informed, NHS Fife launched a new site, which provides a one-stop-shop for updates on local healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic, including acute hospital services and community services managed by the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

The new website, which can be accessed at coronavirus.nhsfife.org, brings together a range of information about local healthcare services and signposts to helpful guidance from NHS Inform and Scottish Government to support people to limit the spread of the virus here in Fife.

The site also includes materials in a range of languages, as well as British Sign Language for those with a hearing impairment.

Chief Executive, Carol Potter, said: “Coronavirus has led to understandable anxiety for people in Fife, both in terms of how it may affect their health and the impact it has had on other healthcare services they rely on.

“Our new Coronavirus website brings a range of information about local health and social care services together into one place, while providing useful materials to how to access the services you need if you become unwell.”

Over the coming weeks, additional information and new functionality will be added to the site, such as access to NearMe, the new video appointment system enabling patients to discuss their care and treatment with clinicians from the comfort of their own home.

Mrs Potter added: “The situation is evolving rapidly and this has meant taking very difficult decisions, often at short notice, such as those around visiting within our hospitals and the movement of some crucial services patients rely upon.

“It’s crucial, therefore, that local people can access a useful hub with the latest information about health and social care services in Fife, and we expect this new website will do exactly that.”

Nicky Connor, Director of the HSCP, said: “There is a lot of information out there coming from various sources, which can be overwhelming. By having a single area for trusted and timely information is extremely important.”