Frontline medics say NHS Highland is ready for increase in coronavirus cases
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Medics working on the frontline in NHS Highland’s response to coronavirus say they are ready for an expected surge in cases over the coming weeks.
Dr Paul Davidson, NHS Highland deputy medical director in charge of the community response to Covid-19, and Dr Lorien Cameron-Ross said everything is in place to meet growing demand.
This includes 13 coronavirus assessment centres and a 24-hour a day response team.
Dr Davidson said: “It is expected that Covid-19 cases will escalate quite quickly and we are prepared through the assessment centres to deal with cases.
“The overarching aim is to enhance the resilience of our GP practices, community pharmacy and community nursing teams. This will allow Covid-19 patients to be seen and assessed quickly away from the normal stream of community patients.
“There were 14 intensive care beds in Raigmore. We have expanded that to 28 already and we have in place the means to expand that to 40 if they are required.”
Working to increase the capacity of the out of hours service with the creation of a new central hub Dr Cameron-Ross said: “Our aim is to keep patients as safe as possible, as isolated as possible to reduce the risk of infection, and to ensure the safety of our clinicians.
“I want the public to be assured that 90 per cent of all people who make a call to 111 are carefully assessed and do not need any further treatment.”
She added: “Of the 10 per cent that come to the Inverness Hub over 75 per cent are being dealt with by local GPs on the phone.
“The Hub administration staff are experienced in co-ordinating this work, and are used to dealing with telecare 24/7 and lone working.
“On top of the job they already do, they have taken on this role and they have knocked it out the park.”
Anyone who suspects they may have Covid-19 should call NHS 24 on 111 in the first instance where an experienced nurse may be able to meet their needs.
For those who need a further assessment they will be passed to the hub where a GP will assist by telephone.
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