GPs to see Covid-19 patients about other health ailments at dedicated site

Rotherham Community Health Centre on Greasbrough Road will be used by GPs to examine patients who have, or could have, the virus and don’t require hospitalisation.

But the service is only available to patients who have received an appointment from their GP direct and will not be used as a Covid-19 testing centre, Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group chairman Dr Richard Cullen (pictured) said.

“A single site has been established at the Rotherham Community Health Centre, so that GPs who need to see a patient to examine them, but have been tested positive for the virus or are showing symptoms, are able to do so in one place, reducing the risk of spreading the disease to others,” added Dr Cullen.

“The decision for a patient to be seen at this centre will be made by their own GP and an appointment will be made for them - people can’t just turn up.

"Our message is for patients to still call up their respective GP practice first to explain what’s wrong with them and will then be advised further on what to do.

“The services that were being delivered at this site previously have currently been suspended and people who were using this facility have being contacted.”

GPs were now able to conduct phone and video consultations, he added.

“Those who have already downloaded the Rotherham Health App, which we encourage as many people as possible to do, will now have the access to have a video conference call with their GP, if the GPs themselves deem it appropriate,” Dr Cullen added.

“People who don’t have the app and have a phone, can also be sent a text message with a video conference link they’ll be able to access.

“We urge people to download this app, as it has a number of options to help you with your health requirements and also decreases the number of phone calls coming into practices.”

Patients should also be prepared to visit another GP practice for an appointment. This will be set up at a small number of practices across Rotherham in a bid to reduce contact between GPs and patients.