All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except for graphic assets and where otherwise stated, Supporting patients and staff with additional needs, adults with brain injury, head and neck cancer, neurological conditions, elderly patients, including those with dementia, staff and patients that need to communicate with other NHS employees that have communication impairments. Meanwhile, Scottish Labours Jackie Baillie accused the First Minister of spending more time making excuses than addressing the health concerns. Prof Jason Leitch says he is still worried about the "overwhelmed nature" of the health service. "People are starting to come back in for work, so it's started to pick up again. James Bond fans convinced THIS Game Of Thrones actor will become 007, Hardcore coronation fans already camped outside Buckingham Palace, One dead and seven injured in Cornwall nightclub knife attack, Coronation Street actress Barbara Young dies aged 92, Eurovision acts land in Liverpool ahead of Song Contest, Jeff Stelling leaving Sky Sports after 30 years with Soccer Saturday. Updated guidance and FAQs to reflect changes to national face coverings guidance. BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, video showing Nicola Sturgeon not wearing a face mask, 'The heart of our family': The lives lost to Covid, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, US principal visits David sculpture after nudity row, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, Cuba cancels May Day parade because of fuel crisis. The public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people. The material has been peer reviewed by the congress selection committee. Read about our approach to external linking. The Scottish Conservatives have called on the Scottish government to "give up control" of Covid restrictions. Please register or log in to comment on this article. But the study has several limitations, including that it was an observational study so can't prove causation, staff adherence to the mask-wearing policy was not assessed and we were unable to determine staff infection rates. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a fortnight ago that she expected the face covering rules to be lifted on Easter Monday. It supports staff managing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). This article has been reviewed according to ScienceX's Which is actually what we're asking people to do. Read about our approach to external linking. Nicola Sturgeon is to confirm whether Scotland's last remaining Covid regulations - over the wearing of face coverings - will be lifted next week. They can also give specialist advice on particular conditions: Age Scotland - 0800 12 44 222 However although the . Now for context, at the same stage in 2020, before the pandemic struck, occupancy was around 87%. experience. the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The change forms part of the Test and Protect Transition Plan, which sets out how testing will become more targeted, with the aim of reducing serious harm from COVID-19. Leader Douglas Ross said Ms Sturgeon "can't use the higher case rates that she has completely failed to reduce as an excuse to delay or backtrack on lifting the remaining restrictions". Note: The section on the isolation period was updated on 17 January 2023 for clarity. Replaced CNO letter with updated version. To keep our patients and staff safe, NHS Western Isles is requiring all staff, visitors and those attending healthcare appointments at our hospitals and other premises to wear a clinical face mask on entry to the premises. "People are starting to come back in for work, so it's started to pick up again. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy And vaccinated close contacts of someone with Covid should continue to test daily for seven days with lateral flow devices. I also want to acknowledge, because I think it is important that we do so, that the NHS was under pressure before Covid struck us. WHO has updated its guidelines on mask wearing in community settings, COVID-19 treatments, and clinical management. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. However our NHS is still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of our society can still benefit from additional measures to protect them from the virus. (primary care, hospital and community healthcare settings). He said: "We're still cautious as public health advisers because we're still worried about the overwhelmed nature of our health systems around the world - not just here, but Scotland is no exception. Daily science news on research developments and the latest scientific innovations, The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances, The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web. Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, a leading infections expert at University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland masks should still be worn in high risk environments such as public transport and healthcare settings but legal enforcement should be dropped. "The way you look after your staff is to not overburden them, you don't ask them to do more when they've already spent two years doing more - it is about realism for the coming months," Dr Morrison added. "For people who are more vulnerable it is probably the moment to increase to an FFP3 mask just until the pressure in the environment from so many people infected actually decreases.". Free lateral flow devices (LFDs) for twice weekly routine testing are no longer available for the general population. When seated and after appropriate hand hygiene. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. Isolation of people with COVID-19 is an important step in preventing others from being infected. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association had described the previous delays as "bitterly disappointing", arguing many people were already failing to wear masks so keeping the law in place would make little difference. Changing demographics and ever increasing expectations of what healthcare advances can deliver, which of course in themselves are positive developments, were posing challenges for the NHS and necessitating reforms to care pathways. All rights reserved. She said: "We have all along got a balance to strike - and its not always an easy balance - between controlling the virus and minimising the harm that is caused by the measures to control the virus, and that has been a recurring theme throughout the pandemic. not seated at your desk). Prof Leitch said: "I haven't spoken to the first minister today, I imagine I'll speak to her later. On Wednesday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he had tested positive for the virus and was self-isolating. First and foremost, it helps ensure that a conversation takes place between the clinician and patient about the importance of wearing a face mask. "This is a disease that still kills peoples so caution is still required. The legal requirement to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces and on public transport will become guidance next week. But the fact that Nicola Sturgeon barely let him get a word in edge ways suggests she doesnt truly have faith in him either.. Nicola Sturgeon announced on Wednesday March. Legal mask rule in Scotland ends by 18 April. All of Scotland's other Covid-19 rules have now been converted into guidance. Professor Linda Bauld, a public health expert and an advisor to the Scottish government, said she was worried about a new variant taking hold. Current, new and more information guidance sections updated to reflect latest position. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Masks are recommended following a recent exposure to COVID-19, when . Presentwithin and moving around clinical areas, It is strongly recommendedthat you wear a FRSM at all times throughout your shift. Even when patients are in single rooms, they are strongly encouraged to wear a mask whenever anyone enters their room, i.e. However, test sites will close at the start of May and people with symptoms will no longer be advised that they need to take a test. Table 1 outlines the following situations where staff providing direct care to individuals are strongly recommended to wear a face mask at all times throughout their shift. Alex said they will continue to maintain good hygiene practice, wiping surfaces and keeping the door open for ventilation. 2023 BBC. NHS Western Isles is also reminding patients to attend their appointments on time please do not arrive too early or too late. 18 April 2022. There had been calls for changes to help ease pressure on services, with waiting times at accident and emergency rooms hitting a record high on Tuesday. As of today, people are no longer legally required to wear a face mask in Scotland as the rule moved into guidance. People without symptoms are no longer required to take the regular tests, but PCR tests will be available to people with symptoms until the end of April. Shadow health secretary Sandesh Gulhane said: Nicola Sturgeon was full of sympathy for let-down patients and warm words for over-stretched staff but there were precious few concrete measures to turn things around. The first minister will update MSPs on whether the requirement to wear masks in shops and on public transport will end as planned on 4 April. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. It may be helpful to advise the individual that the reason for continuing to ask patients to use face masks inhealthcare settingsis to help protect the many vulnerable individuals using the services. But I don't want to quibble about that. . Those eligible for an exemption card can obtain the card by visitingwww.exempt.scotor via the free helpline at 0800 121 6240. eat and drink. Read about our approach to external linking. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The omicron variant was the dominant strain throughout the study period.