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Blood test taken in a GP surgery car park in Penicuik Image caption: Blood test taken in a GP surgery car park in Penicuik

I spent the morning at a GP practice in Penicuik in Midlothian.

The waiting room was deserted, only a tiny fraction of patients are now coming to the surgery, most will have a consultation by phone or video call.

Behind the scenes receptionists are busy managing calls, the team here can take 400 to 500 a day.

Any patients who need to come to the practice are met by a doctor or nurse in protective clothing. Those with suspected Covid-19 are directed to coronavirus assesment centres.

Just like in hospitals it's important to make every effort to minimise the risk of infection for both patients and staff.

Routine blood tests are carried out in the car park, a make shift gazebo covers a drive-in space where the patient rolls down their window and stretches out their arm.

House calls do still happen, the staff tell me, they need to check in on their most vulnerable patients. But after a chap at the door to say the doctor has arrived, the visor, gloves, mask and apron are all donned.

Doctors say they are worried that some people are ignoring symptoms for too long. They want people to know that behind the closed front door, they are very much open for business.

The role of the GP has always been to manage a patient's care in the community, to keep them out of hospital unless they need to be there. More than ever that is a vital service to ensure our hospitals don't become overwhelmed.