PATIENTS who can be treated with antivirals will be supported to stay safely at home in a bid to free up hospital beds.

The £500,000 move to fund 25,000 remote monitoring kits is part of a range of measures to free up space in wards during what is being billed as the most difficult weeks the NHS has ever faced in its 73-year existence.

It comes a week after NHS Forth Valley has postponed a number of non-urgent operations along with the introduction of essential visiting arrangements in a bid to protect critical services.

MSP Keith Brown told the Advertiser: “The NHS is facing incredible pressures this winter following the surge in Covid cases numbers.

“The Scottish Government has responded with significant additional financial resources and cabinet colleagues are actively involved in discussions to ensure a collaborative approach between national government and local providers for a post-Covid recovery as well as ensuring that the NHS can prioritise their resources to deal with the critical Covid winter challenges that they are facing right now.”

Remote monitoring kits, including additional pulse oximeters, will go to patients who would benefit from antivirals treatments and a dedicated team will be put in place to identify people and get started as soon as possible.

Humza Yousaf, health secretary, said: “We are facing pressure on a number of fronts.

“Modelling suggests that infections and associated staff absences due to the coronavirus could peak by mid-January.

“Treating more people who previously may have been admitted to hospital at home with antivirals and suitable support is essential to free up capacity in our hospitals.”

Clacks representative Mr Brown has also reiterated previous messaging around attending A&E.

He said: “There are also plenty of things that we can all do as individuals to protect and support the NHS through these difficult times.

“We need to keep following the public health guidance to keep ourselves and others safe and, when we do need to access NHS services, pay attention to the messages around what routes are appropriate for different clinical needs.

“Of course, A&E has to be the first port of call in a genuine emergency, but it is worth taking a moment to consider whether calling NHS24 [on 111] or going to the minor injuries unit might be more appropriate.”