A new isolation clinic has been launched in North Lincolnshire to support patients with suspected or diagnosed coronavirus.

North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group has worked alongside Safecare Network to develop the additional service – which aims to keep people as safe as possible and reduce the risk of spreading the virus further.

GP practices are continuing to work hard to provide assessment and care to patients via telephone, video and online consultations. However, if patients who have, or are suspected to have coronavirus need to be seen face-to-face, they may be offered an appointment to attend the isolation clinic by their GP.

Patients who need to attend the clinic will be provided with specific information about their appointment in order to help minimise the risk of infection. They will be advised wherever possible to attend alone.

All staff at the clinic will wear personal protective equipment.

The clinic operates by prearranged appointment booking only.

Dr Faisel Baig, Chair at NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, said: “There are strict infection policies and procedures that need to be adhered to when seeing these patients and we need to have plentiful Personal Protective Equipment – sometimes there needs to be a separate entrance and exit for people with suspected coronavirus to come in and out of.

“General Practice has had to completely change its system during the pandemic and patients are asked not to attend practices if they wish to make an appointment or collect a prescription. They are asked to phone the practice and this is to stop the spread of coronavirus as best we can.

“As a result, telephone, video and online consultations are now the norm.

“I want to thank all clinicians and other healthcare workers, across North Lincolnshire’s primary care system, who have worked hard to give our patients the safest service we can. I would also like to thank the patients who have so far adhered to the changes and really adapted to the remote consultations. It is very much appreciated.”