A CLINIC is being set up at Ellesmere Port Sports Village to support the treatment of people with coronavirus symptoms.

The appointment-only clinic, known as a 'hot hub', will be staffed by local GPs to provide a more effective way of seeing patients.

Brio Leisure says a facility will be set up at the Stanney Oaks Annex – a separate building to the main leisure centre – on the Ellesmere Port Sports Village site.

A number of these clinics are being launched across the county with patients being booked into them if a doctor thinks they require a more in-depth assessment following an initial telephone or video consultation.

NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group has stressed that 'hot hubs' are not walk-in facilities and do not provide coronavirus testing.

Brio Leisure, a community interest company owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, states: "Stanney Oaks, at Ellesmere Port Leisure Centre, will be used by the NHS as a ‘Hot Hub’, which will support the continuation of medical services by GPs locally."

Speaking earlier this month about the 'hot hubs, chair of NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group Dr Andrew Wilson said: "By supporting the setting up of hot hubs to assess people with symptoms we are increasing our capacity to deal with coronavirus, but it is vitally important everyone follows NHS guidance on hand hygiene, self-isolating and social distancing and caring for the most vulnerable to stop its spread."

When people arrive at the 'hot hubs' they will be asked to wait outside before being seen on a one-in, one-out basis to minimise the risk to both patients and staff.

The clinic will either be able to advise on treatment or refer the patient to hospital if they think that is best.

If you have coronavirus symptoms you should self-isolate at home, use the 111 online service if you develop a high temperature or continuous cough – only call 111 if you're unable to get help online – and call your GP if you are advised to.

You should not visit your GP surgery or go to A&E.