New arrangements are now in place for people with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) whose symptoms have got worse or have not improved after seven days.

Rather than calling their GP for advice, people should now contact NHS 24 on 111, day or night. They will then be followed up by local clinical staff who will carry out a telephone assessment and either provide advice or arrange for them to be seen at one of a number of new community assessment centres in Forth Valley for further assessment or treatment.

These new arrangements provide a simpler, direct route for people with coronavirus symptoms who require additional help or advice and also help free up local GP practices to treat and care for people with non-COVID-19 related health conditions.

Dr Stuart Cumming, NHS Forth Valley’s Associate Medical Director for Primary Care, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in setting up these new community triage and assessment centres in such a short space of time. I would also like to thank GP practices across Forth Valley who have been hugely supportive in helping to develop and deliver this service. These will support local people with symptoms of COVID-19 who may require additional clinical advice.

“I’d also like to remind people that the fastest way to get the latest health information and advice on coronavirus is by visiting the NHS Inform website and people without symptoms looking for general information can also call the free coronavirus national helpline on 0800 028 2816 which is open from 8.00am to 10.00pm every day.

“People should only phone NHS 24 if their symptoms worsen or have not improved after seven day. The new local community assessment centres are strictly by appointment only and do not provide testing facilities.”

Patients with health concerns, who do not have any coronavirus symptoms should continue to telephone their GP Practice when open and only call NHS 24 when their GP Practice is closed and they require urgent healthcare advice which can’t wait until their practice reopens. People who require a sick note due to coronavirus can also download this direct from the NHS Inform website and do not need to phone their GP.

Additional Information

Community Assessment Centres are now operational in Grangemouth and Stirling and there are plans to open additional Centres to assess patients from Clackmannanshire and rural Stirling.

The latest health advice and information on coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on www.nhsinform.scot.

If you need a sick note due to coronavirus, don’t contact your GP or NHS 24. You can download an isolation note directly from NHS Inform.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:

• high temperature or fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

People should only call NHS 24 (on 111) if their symptoms:

• have not improved after 7 days
• are severe or they have shortness of breath
• worsen during home isolation

For any other health related concerns, make NHS Inform your first point of contact or call your GP during opening hours. If your GP practice is closed and your query can’t wait you can still call NHS 24 (on 111).

If you don’t have symptoms and are looking for general information on coronavirus, call NHS Inform’s free helpline: 0800 028 2816.