A drive-through Covid-19 assessment facility – not for Coronavirus testing – is to be set up in a Swadlincote car park.

South Derbyshire District Council has used emergency powers in the Coronavirus Bill to commandeer the car park next to the town's bus station, off Civic Way.

An array of large tents will be constructed on the site over the next few days and the assessment area is due to open to the public on Friday, April 10.

The bus station car park will be closed from tonight (Tuesday) for the foreseeable future.

Once up and running, the site will not be a Covid-19 testing facility but an assessment area "to enable a clinical decisions to be made regarding the appropriate treatment advice for people suffering with Covid-19 symptoms".

Patients can only be seen on a strict appointment basis and no walk-in service is being offered to the public.

Following an initial telephone consultation via 111 and then with their local GP, any patient who requires an assessment would be allocated an appointment time.

The site will be secured at all times and will be staffed by doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "This is just another example of how this council will work with its partners in the health service to protect and support the residents of South Derbyshire.

"As a council we are committed to supporting our local communities. We are pleased to be able to offer this facility, which supports local health services and the people who use them.

"These are unprecedented times and we appreciate the public support for the NHS during this health pandemic and the challenges it brings."

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Woodville Surgery has offered patients more advice about how the system will work on its Facebook page.

The Surgery posted: "As a result of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic it has been necessary for us to prepare for best way to manage this challenging situation.

"We are writing to advise you that as part of a consortium of local GP Surgeries, we are setting up a temporary facility, located in a private area on the bus station car park.

"A temporary structure will be erected over the next few days and will create a drive-through medical assessment centre, staffed by Doctors and other Healthcare professionals.

"This facility will be self-contained and be purely focussed on assessing the severity of patients with Covid-19 symptoms. The site will be staffed by Doctors and other Healthcare professionals consisting those from local GP surgeries and from our wider group of NHS colleagues.

"It is NOT a Coronavirus testing facility.

"Following initial telephone review by 111 and further consultation with their local GP surgery any patient who requires an assessment would be allocated an appointment time.

"During the appointment, the appropriate clinical decision will be made on how best to manage the Covid-19 symptoms. Most people will be able to safely return home after assessment, others may require some further treatment and some may be advised of hospital admission.

"Patients will only be seen on a strict appointment basis and can only attend by car (this is to maintain security and most importantly the safety of yourselves and our medical staff).

"These are unprecedented times and we appreciate your support of the NHS during this health pandemic and the challenges it brings. Thank you for your ongoing support."

The Swadlincote site comes after health chiefs announced and launched a similar outdoor assessment facility at the University of Derby.

There are now (as of April 6) 757 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Derbyshire, including Derby.