An update on NHS services in Shepton Mallet has been issued by Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council's Cabinet member for public health and wellbeing.

"As coronavirus expands," she said, "routine services will come under pressure, but the NHS will flex its response in line with well-established escalation plans, backed by regular guidance to local health services, including GP practices, which is being regularly updated.

"As a precaution to protect patients, staff and the public, GP appointments will be triaged online or over the phone to make sure that patients are cared for by the right person, in the right place for their illness and GP surgery doors will be kept open where possible."

The council's leader David Fothergill said: "The key thing is we have to slow this virus and give the NHS space.

"This means we need people to stay at home, work from home and find reasons to stay in, not go out.

"We have 3,000 of our 3,500 staff now working online at home using the technology we've invested in to ensure essential services continue.

"The other 500 staff are working directly with vulnerable people and we're making sure they have the right systems and the right protection to make sure those people get what they need.

"You will see some of our normal services slow or stop completely as we redeploy our staff to prioritise keeping our most vulnerable residents safe.

"We need to move around the county, so please help us to keep our staff safe by staying at home."

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