DENTISTS and opticians in the Borders have scrapped routine appointments - and GPs will only see patients when "absolutely necessary".

NHS Borders issued information on the latest developments today (March 25).

An health authority spokesperson said: "All GP practices in the Borders have suspended their usual appointment booking arrangements to help protect patients and staff. Practices and treatment rooms will now provide essential services only to patients who require urgent clinical attention via telephone triaging and, where absolutely necessary, via face to face appointment.

"You should not attend your GP practice unless advised to do so by your GP following telephone triage. Please only call your GP practice with urgent enquiries."

The spokesperson added that if anyone needs urgent care for a minor injury that they cannot treat themselves, they should contact their GP practice or, if the practice is closed, they should dial 111 to reach NHS 24.

Dentists and opticians can be contacted by telephone for urgent or emergency advice only.

NHS Borders Coronavirus Preparedness Update

All GP practices in the Borders have suspended their usual appointment booking arrangements to help protect patients and staff. Practices and treatment rooms will now provide essential services only to patients who require urgent clinical attention via telephone triaging and, where absolutely necessary, via face to face appointment.

You should not attend your GP practice unless advised to do so by your GP following telephone triage. Please only call your GP practice with urgent enquiries.

Dental practices and opticians in the Borders have also suspended all routine appointments. Please contact your dental practice or Optician by telephone for urgent or emergency advice only.

If you require urgent care for a minor injury that you cannot self-care for please contact your GP practice or NHS 24 on 111 if your GP practice is closed.

What to do if you have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, however mild, should self-isolate for 7 days.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

• New continuous cough and/or

• Fever / high temperature (37.8C or greater)

If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days then you should phone NHS 24 on 111. You should no longer call your GP practice regarding Coronavirus symptoms. If the NHS 24 healthcare professional you speak to via 111 deems that you require further clinical assessment following their triage over the phone, you will be directed to the appropriate care locally.

If you need a sick note due to coronavirus, please don’t contact your GP or NHS 24. You can download a sick/isolation note directly from the NHS Inform website.

Full guidance and information is available on NHS Inform’s coronavirus page - www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus