FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER, 2020

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PHOTOS ATTACHED: PHOTO 1 - SENIOR CHARGE NURSE, SHARON SIME, CHARGE NURSE, LISA DUFFUS AND STAFF NURSE ANNE FERRIER OUTSIDE THE NEW CENTRE. PHOTO 2: SENIOR CHARGE NURSE, SHARON SIME AND LISA DUFFUS IN ONE OF THE NEW TREATMENT ROOMS.

New Bridge of Earn Community Care and Treatment Service opens its doors

A new Community Care and Treatment Service has opened in Bridge of Earn delivering primary care services to local residents.

The new service, which is based in the former nurses’ home in the village, saw its first patients this week.

The Community Care and Treatment Service can offer wound care treatments such a leg ulcer care and stitch removal for local residents. Patients are appointed to the service by their GP.

Recruitment to the service is continuing and the centre should be able to provide the full range of care and treatment support by March 2021. The full model of care will support delivery of wound care, phlebotomy, ear care and some minor injury treatments.

The clinic will also support other healthcare professionals to see residents locally for a range of treatments and services including chronic disease monitoring and mental health and wellbeing support.

The centre will continue to be a base for the local District Nursing Teams and the South Locality Community Care & Treatment Team of Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership.

The building has benefitted from an investment of £130,000 from NHS Tayside to remodel and modernise the premises with new clinical and office facilities created to allow delivery of a range of services. Access to the building has been improved with the addition of a ramp and parking for patients.

Grant Archibald, Chief Executive of NHS Tayside said, “When the local GP practice in Bridge of Earn closed last year, along with the Partnership, we committed to look at the delivery of health services to explore what could be provided in the local area.

“NHS Tayside has invested significantly in the former nurses’ home which now offers modern facilities and a base for the local District Nursing Team. I look forward to seeing the service develop over the coming months and more treatments and clinics being delivered closer to home in people’s local community.”

Gordon Paterson, Chief Officer of the Partnership said, “I am delighted that this new service is now seeing patients following considerable service planning from the local team. Having access to health care locally will benefit many residents and save patients from having to travel to their GP for some primary care services.”

Patients are reminded that the service is not drop-in and appointments must be arranged through their GP. Face coverings should be worn when attending health care appointments and patients should not attend if they or any member of their household has any symptoms of COVID-19 or is self-isolating.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138

Tay.communications@nhs.scot