Health and welfare

Coronavirus symptoms

High temperature or fever | New, continuous cough | Shortness of breath

Safety measures

Stay at home | Wash hands | Keep 2m away from people

Under the lockdown rules, you are allowed to leave your home to attend to medical needs or the welfare of the elderly and vulnerable. You should observe social distancing rules, and any other measures in place to slow the spread of the virus, such as queuing, one-way systems, cleansing stations, etc.

NHS Grampian – Operation Rainbow

This short film from NHS Grampian shows Nick Fluck, Medical Director and Caroline Hiscox, Nurse Director talking about Operation Rainbow, NHS Grampian’s plan for COVID-19. It covers every part of the health service and every aspect of care. In the film, Nick warns: “After this first peak, it is likely that cases will fall, but then they will rise again, then fall again over a period of months.”

Forres Health Centre – 0345 337 1120

If you’ve developed a continuous cough or fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the day your symptoms started. Only phone your GP or 111 if your symptoms are severe. See NHS Inform’s coronavirus page.

The doctor will ‘see’ you now – with Attend Anywhere

Doctors Peter and Derek Kelly, explain how the health centre is conducting face-to-face consultations while minimising risk, through a piece of software called Attend Anywhere.

Temporary closure of the NHS Unscheduled Care Unit

Health and Social Care Moray have taken the decision to temporarily close the Unscheduled Care Unit within the Forres Health and Care Centre as of 27 March 2020. The decision is a tactical response to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Isolation note

If you are off work because you have been asked to self-isolate and have been asked to get a sick note to cover you, please don’t call your GP. You can get an isolation note from 111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Dental care

Routine dental care services (check-ups, fillings and all routine treatment) in dental practices in Grampian have re-opened with limited availability. You should contact your practice for information. Outside normal working hours, if feel you have an URGENT dental need, please contact NHS24 on 111.

Self-help guides

NHS Inform Self-help guides

NHS Inform publishes a range of self-help guides to help you understand a variety of medical conditions and what to do if you need further help.

NHS Inform Self-help Guides

Coronavirus and specific conditions

Local organisations

Weblinks

Money worries

  • Scottish Welfare Fund – can help with money, food and household items in a crisis. Call 01343 563456 or apply online.
  • Money Advice Moray – can help with managing and repaying debts, help with claiming benefits, budgeting and benefit apeals. Call 0300 123 4563
  • Benefit Services – entitlement to free school meals, clothing, grants, Educational Maintenance Allowance, housing benefit, Council Tax Reduction. Call 01343 563456

Helplines

  • Anxiety UK – 03444 775 774 – Support for anxiety conditions, 9:30am –5:30pm Monday to Friday
  • CALM – 0800 58 58 58 – Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. 5pm to midnight daily
  • Mind – 0300 123 3393 – Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. 9am–6pm Monday to Friday
  • OCD Action – 0845 390 6232 – 9:30pm–5pm Monday to Friday
  • OCD UK – 0333 212 7890 – 9am–5pm Monday to Friday
  • Rethink Mental Illness – 0300 5000 927 – Support and advice for people living with mental illness 9:30am–4pm Monday to Friday
  • Samaritans – 116 123 – Free 24-hour helpline, confidential support for people feeling stress or despair
  • Alzheimer’s Society – 0300 222 11 22 – 9am–5pm Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm Weekends
  • Cruse Bereavement Care – 0808 808 1677 – 9am–5pm Monday to Friday
  • YoungMinds – 0808 802 55 44 (Parents’ helpline) – information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals. 9am–5pm Monday to Friday
  • Children 1st – 08000 28 22 33 – Supporting families through coronavirus and beyond, 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to noon Weekends
  • Alcoholics Anonymous – 0800 9177650 – 24-hour helpline for those affected by alcohol addiction

Facebook groups