A GP practice is screening patients at the door, has set up an isolation pod and is offering video consultations to tackle coronavirus.

Doctors at Ivy Court Surgery in Tenterden have taken forward-thinking steps in the frontline battle against the spread of the virus which the government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said could have already infected up to 10,000 people in the UK.

The Recreation Ground Road surgery has suspended its online booking system as it is not possible to screen patients before arrival.

A Do Not Enter sign warns anyone with a "fever, cough or flu-like symptoms" to call the surgery before coming in, while the other patients are instructed to sanitise their hands at the door.

Anyone attending weekend walk-in clinics held at the surgery will be assessed at the door.

Dr Matthew Watts, a GP partner at Ivy Court said: "The weekend surgery has traditionally run on a walk-in basis. This clearly needs safeguards in place in view of the coronavirus situation. Last weekend this was achieved by having a member of staff screening patients at the door."

He added that the surgery could implement new measures at any time to tackle COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus and said: "Patients should be aware the COVID-19 situation is changing extremely rapidly, and our protocols are changing extremely rapidly to keep pace with it, and maintain the safety of our patients and our staff to the best of our ability."

The stringent measures come as a pupil at the North School in Ashford was the first person confirmed to be infected with the virus in the borough, while there are now 11 cases in Kent.

The surgery, which serves more than 14,000 patients in the town and surrounding villages, has also approached Tenterden town council for permission to use the pavilion on the recreation ground as a temporary isolation ward for patients suspected having the infection.

Town clerk Phil Burgess, speaking at a town hall meeting said: "Coronavirus is the term on everyone's lips at the moment.

"I was asked by the doctors' surgery if, as a temporary isolation [point], they could use the pavilion."

He added: "They [Ivy Court] are checking people entering into the surgery prior to allowing them access and if they identify somebody they believe has the virus they want a safe, temporary isolation [point] until that person can be picked up and taken to hospital."

The surgery has also been offering video consultations as a response to reduce the need to come into surgery and Dr Watts thanked patients "for their kind cooperation and patience through what will be a very challenging time for all NHS services".

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