THE coronavirus assessment unit at Greenock Health Centre is set to open - but it will NOT provide testing.

The health board say the dedicated Community Assessment Centres will help combat COVID-19 by assessing people presenting with symptoms.

The appointment-only hub is aimed at caring for people within the community, while ensuring hospital capacity is used for those with the most serious illnesses.

It will also reduce the exposure of patients at GP surgeries.

As part of the set-up, patients should no longer phone their GPs if they are experiencing coronavirus symptoms but instead 'refer to NHS Inform, or contact NHS 24 (111) if their symptoms worsen'.

If further clinical advice is required, NHS 24 will then refer patients onto a clinician who will provide a full telephone assessment and if necessary, an appointment at the assessment centre.

The health board says the centre will 'open soon', following one in Glasgow.

It will be staffed by GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

Patients attending will receive treatment plans, including medication, and/or prescription, and be told to self-isolate.

If they need to go to hospital, this will be arranged at the centre and patient transport and a home visiting service are also being developed to support those with difficulties travelling.

The centre will not provide testing facilities.

Dr Kerri Neylon, deputy medical director for primary care at NHS GGC, said: “In anticipation of increasing case numbers, we now have a pathway which can be effectively scaled up to manage growing demand on services across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"I'd like to thank all staff across primary, community, and acute services, for their efforts in rapidly implementing this new pathway and for readily staffing the centres.

“We remind patients they should only phone NHS 24 if their symptoms worsen, and that the centres are strictly appointment only.

"If NHS 24 believes you need further treatment, you will get an appointment with one of our clinicians.”