UK first: Drive-thru GP surgery opens to help tackle rising pressure on NHS

A permanent drive-through GP surgery, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, opens to the public in Aston, Birmingham, tomorrow (Saturday 23).

It's been set up by an NHS Out of Hours GP provider for Birmingham after running a temporary one to help people at the height of the pandemic.

The hope is to prevent people from getting seriously ill, ending up in hospital and puttingfurther pressure on NHS services.

Faye Wilson is a GP and Medical Director of Badger Group who developed the new idea

"The purpose is so that we can see people safely, regardless of whether they might have Covid or not. We can give them the same standard of urgent treatment as if we were in previous times. And we can also see people with the same number of staff as quickly and efficiently as if Covid didn't exist - but while keeping everybody safe."

It comes as there's increasing pressure on the Prime Minister to do more to re-instate some mandatory Covid measures as cases start to rise.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has some simple advice - use your own judgement, but wear face coverings where you can.

"I think actually it's very clear, if you are in a crowded place you should take your own decision and wear a mask. I came here by transport , I wore my mask in that. If we're in a busy event, I will wear my mask and I hope that others would see that is the right thing to do."

This new hub in Aston will soon be able to see up to five hundred patients a day in what is thought to be a much more Covid-secure way.

"Well I'm a GP too so I see it and feel it. I'm from mainstream General Practise in my past so

I get it all, exactly. And one of the problems is, that holds things up, is that fact that if you've got a patient with Covid who comes into your waiting room and infects everyone else - you've done a real disservice. So this is a safe place, that people can be seen."