NHS:‘We are open’

The chief executive of NHS Forth Valley has urged anyone who needs medical help to get it.

Cathie Cowan made the plea at a meeting of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Integration Joint Board (IJB) last Wednesday.

And NHS Forth Valley has added further reassurance consultations can be held remotely by telephone or video.

At the meeting Mrs Cowan said they had not had the number of referrals they would expect. She expressed concern people might be worried about getting medical help because of the pandemic.

The chief executive told the board:“I want to get the message out to the public that we are open for business.”

After the meeting a spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said the health board was - in many cases - able to offer telephone and video consultations.

The spokesperson said:“Patients are continuing to attend our Emergency Department and Minor Injuries Unit but in many cases we are able to provide telephone or video consultations which avoid the need for people to travel to hospital and help avoid waiting areas from becoming overcrowded.”

She added:“We would encourage anyone who has any concerns about their health to contact their GP Practice or visit NHS Inform for advice.

“People can also contact NHS 24 on 111 day or night if they have an urgent health issue which isn’t life-threatening.

“Staff at NHS 24 can provide advice or arrange for people to speak to local clinical staff based in a new Urgent Care Centre at Forth Valley Royal Hospital who can arrange a telephone or video consultation or face-to-face appointment, where appropriate.”