Ayrshire’s NHS staff are “proud to be a part of” the covid-19 therapeutic services as they celebrate its one-year anniversary.

Despite being launched in December 2021, it wasn’t until February 2022 that staff gathered to mark the year anniversary of the care service.

The initiative provides care for high-risk people who catch the virus and are vulnerable to developing other conditions.

The board’s head of primary and urgent care services, Vicki Campbell, led the project.

She said: “Over this past year, the Therapeutic Service has made a real difference for many really vulnerable people who have had covid-19.

“It’s important that those who are eligible get in touch with the service as soon as symptoms are known, so they can be clinically assessed and provided with the treatment if appropriate.

“Only a very small number of patients who received treatment this past year have needed to attend hospital for further care for covid-19.

“This really shows the significant benefits the treatment gives to those most at risk.”

Working firstly as a preventative measure, patients are notified via a letter that they may be at risk, are self-referred to the unit, or are referred by a GP, after which they are given a full clinical assessment.

By the end of December 2022, 1,784 patients had been under the care of the service with 901 going on to receive further treatment for developed conditions.

Patients requiring further aid receive intravenous treatment at the Covid-19 Treatment Centre in Crosshouse Hospital or are given medication to take at home.

Only 10 of the 901 patients have had to be admitted to hospital to receive additional care related to Covid-19.

Associate nurse director and nurse lead for the covid-19 therapeutic service, Dalene Steele, said: “I am so proud to be part of this service and the positive impact it has had on patients in the last year.

“The commitment of the whole team, made up of administrative staff, nurses, doctors and pharmacists, has ensured a truly person-centred service to prevent progression to severe covid-19 infection in high-risk individuals.”

Patients have also voiced their happiness with the service, saying they were thankful for it and acknowledging its efficiency.

One patient said: “[It’s] an amazing service and makes me feel very secure. I don’t know where we would be without the NHS”.

Another added: “I’m just very grateful that this service is available and so quickly”.