Lewes drive-through coronavirus assessment centre ‘working well’

The centre – dubbed the ‘COVID Hot Site’ – has been created for patients of The Foundry – School Hill Medical Practice, St Andrew’s Surgery and River Lodge Surgery.

It is designed for patients who after ringing 111, require further assistance if the 111 call handler decides this.

Dr Jason Heath, one of the practice’s partners, confirmed this week that orange barriers had been placed around the site to stop people from walking through it.

“People are used to walking through that area as it is usually a car park,” he said.

“And people were travelling through without stopping to see the ‘do not enter’ signs and not realising they were in a Covid-19 site.

“So this was necessary and has done the trick – Lewes District Council kindly donated them to us.”

Dr Heath confirmed the site was still very much open and functioning.

“It is working well,” he said, adding: “Seven people came to be assessed in the drive-in yesterday.

“It is gradually picking up. We were at low single figures at first.

“We are seeing about one in ten cases face-to-face – the rest are done on the phone.

“We are making a diagnosis on a clinical basis - we are not testing people - so the true figure is hard to get a grasp of.”

He praised Lewesians for being sensible and understanding during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The cooperation from the community has been magnificent,” he commented.

“Patients are still contacting 111 first as advised and the people of Lewes are following the guidance and looking out for each other.”

He added: “This centre gives 111 somewhere else to send people. If they are not quite sure and don’t think the person is unwell enough for an ambulance or to go to hospital, they have the option of us in the middle.”

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