Dingwall Medical Group backs coronavirus restrictions and stands ready to roll out vaccine when stocks become available

Dingwall Medical Group says it is supportive of all the new Covid-19 restrictions that have come into force and is keen to be part of the vaccine roll out.

GP Miles Mack said: "We had real concerns that infections are rising fast and without this action Covid-19 numbers would rise uncontrollably and this would lead to many more people becoming severely ill.

"The health centre remains open but we are again looking at how we work to reduce the risk of virus transmission. We will continue to see some patients face to face but only after a phone call to ensure a consultation is necessary.

"We are expecting a continued high number of phone calls and patients should expect to be asked by our staff for background details to help us find them the right care they need. We will also continue to do a small number of home visits when it is necessary.

"If you have arranged for a GP to visit please unlock your door in anticipation, open the window to ventilate the room and minimise who is in the room when the doctor attends. Consider using a spare room to be seen in to reduce viral exposure.

"We are very grateful to the many patients who are using the resources on the NHS Inform website for advice on common symptoms before resorting to calling us. If you are shielding a doctor’s fit-note is not required as shielding patients are able to use the letter they have received from the chief medical officer for this purpose."

He said: "The performance of the new Covid-19 vaccines is exceeding all our expectations and there is a real opportunity to prevent many deaths in the most vulnerable groups of patients. We have experience of rolling out vaccines to large numbers of patients safely and are fully prepared to start vaccinating as soon as we receive stocks of the vaccine. We are unable to give you appointments for this yet but will contact the highs risk groups as soon as we are in a position to arrange the clinics."

Stocks of the new vaccine arrived in the Highlands this week, NHS Highland said.

Related: Covid-19 hits residents and staff at Ross-shire care home

Firm monitors situation at Muir of Ord plant after staff test positive for coronavirus

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.