NHS Forth Valley’s coronavirus testing hub up and running in Larbert

As the number of infected people in Scotland looks set to rise to over 60, drive through facilities – which allow people with referrals to be swabbed without leaving their vehicles – are cropping up throughout the UK.

However, NHS Forth Valley has taken the fixed location approach, which will see people undergo testing in Loch View, in Larbert. People should only attend the hub if referred by a health professional.

Normally used as an in patient services unit for those with learning disabilities, the Stirling Road facility is divided into four houses, with a total of 26 beds and five therapy rooms.

It is believed house four at the bungalow complex is being used as the testing facility.

An NHS Forth Valley spokesperson said: “In line with other health boards across Scotland we have put in place arrangements to carry out community-based testing for coronavirus (COVID-19). The community testing facility at the Loch View site in Larbert is in a fixed location where members of the public are asked to attend by our Health Protection Team for samples to be taken for testing.”

NHS Forth Valley added there were plans to develop a “mobile outreach service” which would enable healthcare staff to carry out testing for coronavirus in people’s homes.