Staff at Linkwood Medical Practice in Elgin were braving the cold to meet patients who needed to be checked in case they had any coronavirus symptoms before setting foot in the building.

But now, thanks to the nearby Springfield Properties, three new shelters are being built in “record time” so staff can treat patients more easily.

Employee Diane Maciver told The Press & Journal: “The outbreak of COVID-19 has meant we have had to take a lot of extra precautions and meet some patients in the car park.

“Springfield Properties own the land, so we went over to explain to them what we are doing.

“They dropped everything they were doing and came over to start building us new shelters in the car park.

“It’s like that programme DIY SOS, it’s sprung up around us and is greatly appreciated.

“It means people can drive into the spaces and we can assess them and carry out observations if they aren’t allowed to enter the surgery.

“It’s keeping people safe.”

Staff have been spending the week building the shelters, which initially were the idea of the practice’s Dr Derek Kelly.

Three are almost complete in the car park.

Springfield North managing director, Dave Main, said: “In the current circumstances, we need to pull together and contribute where we can in a collaborative effort to combat the coronavirus.

“As a housebuilder, we have the skills and resources required to deliver a shelter quickly that can be used to assess people while they are in the cars.

“We want to be part of the community effort that will be needed to beat the coronavirus and this is just a small gesture that will hopefully help lots of people.

“Work has finished and we expect the drive-through will open shortly.”

Medical centre staff posted on social media thanking the team for the effort over the weekend.

The message said: “These bays will allow doctors to examine patients who have respiratory symptoms safely.”

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