Virtual community hub and assessment centre to assess coronavirus patients in Fife

The health and social care joint integration board (IJB) have created a virtual community hub and an assessment centre to help deal with pressures on the system created by the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 and they do not improve within seven days, or get worse, then people are asked to phone NHS 24 on 111. Someone will assess you over the phone.

If necessary, you will then be transferred to the community hub, which is staffed by clinicians who will be able to provide advice.

Once assessed, you may be given further advice on continuing to self-isolate at home, or to attend the local Covid-19 assessment centre for further treatment.

Nicky Connor, Director of Fife’s Health & Social Care Partnership added: “We realise these are unprecedented times and we need to work differently to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

“By following this guidance, we hope to reduce the impact on our services and provide a dedicated way to provide the right information and guidance to those in most urgent need.

“Our staff, from IT, facilities and admin to our health care professionals, have worked tirelessly over the past week to get these new areas up and running.

“What has been achieved in such a short space of time has been amazing.

“It is humbling to see so many of our staff pulling out the stops to ensure our communities have the best possible care.”

Helen Buchanan, Director of Nursing for NHS Fife commented: “As those presenting with coronavirus symptoms continues to grow, having these dedicated resources will help to free up GP capacity to care for people in the community and to ensure only those that need to be admitted to hospital are admitted.

“Please remember we are here for you. There’s lots of information and guidance available via NHS Inform and for those people who need additional support, please call 111.”