A centre to carry out GP services for those displaying symptoms of coronavirus has been constructed in the car park at a school.

The drive-through facility is in the grounds of Tonbridge School and is designed to host pre-booked appointments for patients who need to see a doctor and are showing signs of the virus, keeping those who may potentially be infected away from other surgeries and clinics. No tests for Covid-19 will be carried out at the site.

Housed in a marquee which can accommodate four cars at one time, the temporary clinic will allow people to be assessed in their vehicles for any general medical needs they may have.

It is hoped it will keep those with symptoms of the virus, including a persistent cough or a fever, away from other NHS locations and help relieve the enormous pressure currently being placed on doctors' surgeries and hospitals.

Dr Ginny Winstanley, clinical director of the Tonbridge Primary Care Network, has organised the delivery of the new facility alongside Dr Nicola Perry from NHS West Kent.

"As many people will be aware the NHS is currently trying to support as many people as possible presenting with Covid symptoms," Dr Winstanley said. "GPs are assisting in the process by providing additional assessment to patients over the phone as required.

"In the majority of cases, patients with mild symptoms can be reassured and managed at home. Some patients will inevitably require face-to-face assessment, and the idea behind the Tonbridge hub was to do this in an environment with minimal risk to staff and the public, leaving our usual practices 'clean' to continue to deliver medical services as required.”

"We cannot thank Tonbridge School staff enough at this time for the way they have stepped forward and given amazing support to the NHS, as we try and support our local community through the Covid-19 crisis. I would also like to thank the great number of community volunteers who are helping to make this new facility possible."

"The school would like to thank all of the staff who have worked so quickly to bring this new and important facility into operation..."

The site for the newly-constructed NHS centre was chosen because it can be completely self-contained, leaving enough safe distance between the main school, school accommodation and the wider community.

Tonbridge School headmaster James Priory said: "The school would like to thank all of the staff who have worked so quickly to bring this new and important facility into operation in such a short time, and to assure the NHS, and the wider community, of our total support in these difficult times."

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