A bespoke COVID-19 centre is probing an average of just THREE suspected virus cases a day
The drive-thru facility in the grounds of Ailsa Hospital - pictured above - was set up as an emergency 24-hour a day assessment centre.
Unlike the equally quiet swabbing unit set up by the UK government at Prestwick Airport, this centre is not doing swabs.
Now the future of the Ailsa Hospital facility may be limited as NHS Ayrshire admit it is being little used.
They have now revealed to the Ayrshire Post that it has only seen 71 people worried about their health.
That figure - 24 days to May 11 - works out at an average of just under three people a day.
Dr Crawford McGuffie, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Medical Director, admits the number has fluctuated.
But Dr McGuffie is adamant the flexibility in such an unprecedented situation is good to have.
The clinical hub at Ailsa was set up after a Scottish Government request for a coronavirus specific centre with 24- hour capability.
Dr McGuffie, seen above, said: “It provides local dedicated consistent medical advice, triage and treatment for people with coronavirus symptoms in the community.
“In Ayrshire and Arran, the Clinical Hub model went fully operational on 27 March initially from the Lister Centre in Kilmarnock.
“Subsequently on April 18, we opened a second assessment site on Ailsa campus.
“This was so that we could provide convenient access for patients across Ayrshire, particularly for residents in South Ayrshire providing further clinical links with University Hospital Ayr.”
It is designed to triage patients sent in by NHS24 or 111.
Dr McGuffie said: “Patients who require a face-to-face consultation are given appointments to attend the site which is more convenient for them. Clinicians within the hub also provide support and advice to our local care homes, and carry out home visits when required.”
Since March 27 the hub at Crosshouse has seen more than 4000 people.
The Medical Director added: “The number of people attending the service has fluctuated.
“However, due to the success of social distancing, we have seen a decreasing trend.
“We are continually reviewing our services to ensure we both have the capacity to step up if numbers attending increase and to make best use of this valuable clinical resource.”
