Coronavirus Kent: Headcorn Aerodrome becomes NHS assessment centre
13:53, 03 April 2020
updated: 18:51, 08 April 2020
A new centre to treat patients with symptoms of coronavirus has opened at Headcorn Aerodrome near Maidstone.
Known as a Primary Care Treatment Centre, the new assessment site is designed to take pressure off GP surgeries in the area and keep other NHS areas virus free.
KMTV reports on the centre
Maidstone Leisure Centre at Mote Park has been identified as a potential site.
It is part of changes being made to GP surgeries across the county by NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure the safety of staff and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The centre in Headcorn will treat patients that would normally visit a GP but could potentially be infectious.
It is hoped it will keep those with symptoms of the virus, including a sore throat, persistent cough or a fever, away from other NHS locations.
Patients will be referred to a Primary Care Treatment Centre, sometimes known as a ‘hot site’, by their GP or by NHS 111.
No tests for the virus will be carried out at the site.
CCG teams are now working to ensure other proposed locations, like Maidstone Leisure Centre, meet NHS guidelines and are appropriate for infection prevention and control.
Dr Navin Kumta, GP and chair of the CCG, said: “Wherever possible, the Primary Care Treatment Centres will be established in an existing clinical building but this will vary across Kent and Medway.
"In some cases drive through facilities are being set up and buildings such as schools or leisure centres are also being used – providing they meet the criteria we have identified, which includes being easy to deep clean.
“The aim is to assess and treat patients who have Covid-19 symptoms, such as a persistent cough or a temperature over 37.8 degrees, in a safe setting and ensure patients without symptoms can be seen at the other sites with a minimal risk of infection. This includes the most vulnerable and those self-isolating.
"By reducing the chance of cross contamination we will make it safer for everyone involved and reduce the pressure on our staff, some are which are having to self-isolate, meaning we have fewer GPs in the surgeries.”
A drive-thru temporary clinic has also opened in a car park at Tonbridge School.
