INVERCLYDE Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a major recovery plan as the district emerges from the coronavirus crisis.

Detailed work is being done across all services - including mental health, addiction, children and families, criminal justice and homelessness.

Emphasis is also being placed on long term 'emotional and operational recovery' as part of the overall strategy.

HSCP chief officer Louise Long told Inverclyde Joint Integration Board that a communication plan will be created to inform the public of how services will look in the post-Covid era.

Ms Long said: "The majority of our services didn't stop, we just changed how we delivered those services."

Despite having to rely on technology to cut down on face-to-face meetings, a total of 66 young people on the child protection register are being seen on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, perspex screens have been installed at the HSCP's Hector McNeil House headquarters, and this will be rolled out across all council buildings as the district comes to terms with the so-called 'new normal'.

Medical grade hand sanitisers will be in strategic locations in public spaces to ensure maximum protection and to make entrance and exit points as safe as possible.

Chief officer Ms Long said: "We have been doing building assessments and it's not without its challenges trying to work out how many people can safely be in a building at any one time.

"We're trying to work up a model which meets our needs, keeps our staff safe and make sure there's a whole range of measures in place."

Safe face-to-face contact for social workers and other council staff is also being increased as we continue to go through the lockdown-lifting phases.

Ms Long said: "With the sheriff court open we require to do court reports and to see people, so there is a bit more momentum and requirement for us to do face-to-face contact."

Meanwhile, five focus groups have been established following a questionnaire which went out to 100 home care staff.

Ms Long said: "In primary care all our services are open, so the normal routes of referral can go ahead."