FOUR specialist GP hubs have been created across the Bradford district and Craven. 

It's to help make sure the right care is given to people who have possible symptoms of coronavirus, or are self-isolating, but urgently need to see their GP practice for a different health concern.

The temporary hubs, which will be located in Silsden, Shipley, Manningham and Horton Bank Top, will open on Wednesday, April 1.

Patients are not advised to visit their practice in person unless advised otherwise by GP practice staff.

For a small number of patients who are self-isolating due to coronavirus, and need to urgently see a GP in person, they will be offered an appointment in one of the four specialist hubs. 

The hubs are being used by all GP practices in the Bradford district and Craven.

It will allow them to provide face to face care to people who have a medical need to be seen urgently but may also have possible symptoms of coronavirus, or are self-isolating as part of a household.  

If you are a patient at one of the hub sites, you will still be able to access services from your GP practice, as the practice will be relocated elsewhere. People can continue to contact their GP practice in the usual way.

Dr James Thomas, clinical chair, NHS Bradford district and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said: “These hubs will make sure that we can continue to see the patients who, after speaking to them, we think are in urgent need of a face to face GP appointment.

"These will be offered only where assessment or treatment cannot be done over the phone or by a video consultation, ensuring people and our staff feel safe.

“At this challenging time for our GP practices and patients, these hubs will make it safe for our patients and our staff to manage patient care. I would like to reiterate that these hubs are not a walk-in service and I would urge people to stay away from these sites if they do not have a pre-booked appointment.

“I would like to thank our fantastic local GP practices and federations. Through working together, we have been able to respond well to this unprecedented scenario and make sure that where people need to be seen face to face, it is safe for our patients and our staff to provide care.  

“A number of staff within GP practices are also self-isolating due to coronavirus. I would like to reassure people that GP practices are working hard to make sure that they continue to deliver the highest possible standards of care to their patients during this time.

"We are working closely with GP practices to look at different ways that care can be delivered over the coming weeks whilst making sure everyone continues to stay safe. This has already included the increased use of telephone and video consultations and consolidation of some GP practice sites."

He added: “We would like to remind people that they must stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives. If you need medical help, please do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the 111 online coronavirus service which is available at: 111.nhs.uk/covid-19.”

Important information

Locations of the hubs: Silsden Medical Practice, Shipley Medical Practice, Manningham Health Centre (Clarendon site) and Horton Bank Top Surgery.

Where the existing GP practices will be relocated:

  • Silsden Medical Practice will operate from Steeton Surgery
  • Shipley Medical Practice will operate from Westcliffe Health Centre
  • Manningham Health Centre (Clarendon site) will operate from Alice Street Surgery
  • Horton Bank Top surgery will operate from The Ridge Medical Practice

How the hubs will operate:

  • The hubs will see patients with an urgent primary health care need, who are also self-isolating due to symptoms of coronavirus, or are in a household who are self-isolating
  • A face to face appointment will only be offered where care and treatment cannot be provided via telephone, video or e-consultation
  • Appointments are pre-bookable only, the hubs are not a walk-in service