Question:
Staff are becoming anxious if they have someone at home being asked to self-isolate. If that staff member does not have symptoms what do they do?
Answer:
They are still required to isolate as a member of a family but for 14 days. If they then develop symptoms they should isolate for a period of 7 days from the point at which they develop these symptoms.
Question:
We need access to PPE equipment.
Answer:
At present with the triage system priority is being given to those places where there has been a positive or suspected case of COVID. Thereafter once the system of allocation has bedded in this will be extended to other organisations.
Question:
When will be get access to a testing facility?
Answer:
Due to capacity testing is prioritised. Firstly, for those entering intensive care; secondly for those with severe respiratory conditions such as pneumonia; thirdly where there are community clusters, like in the Uddingston care home. The fourth category is for healthcare workers. SC has argued that thus needs to include social care key workers in order for them to be able to return to the workforce. There is growing awareness of this critical issue especially for those needing to return to the workforce.
Question:
The GP practice we are aligned to has told us we cannot access palliative care medication / oxygen etc. Are GP practices aware?
Answer:
Intensive work is going on between SC, CMO Palliative Care, Palliative Care and Pharmacy leads at SG. This includes re-formulating Palliative Care Guidance and also exploring the options of Just in Case boxes in care homes. `the issue of access to oxygen is being explored but there are diverse clinical views on this.
Question:
What would be the time frame for a SU being discharged from hospital being at higher risk?
Answer:
Following a positive discussion with the Clinical lead who has developed the Guidance, one Graham Ellis, new and updated guidance will be issued shortly. This will make it clear that the seven-day self-isolation period will need to be in place as a clinical test. This might be 6 days in acute and 1 in a care home; 4 in acute and 3 in care home or all 7 days in the care home etc. There will be a robust clinical discharge assessment detailed note which. Either way it should be clear after seven days that the person is Covid negative.
The refreshed Guidance will also contain information on Shared Information protocols and practice.
Question:
Certification of lifting equipment – Every 3 months – do engineers still visit|?
Answer:
Our answer would be that these are essential indivdiuals – properl PPE protected.
Question:
Will there be further direction and guidance for regulated Day Care services also
Answer:
We have asked for this to be dealt with as a matter of urgency – SG and HPS are developing guidance. Our feeling is that the risk of continuing with a service where one is mixing so many adults are too high.
Question:
Category 3 staff should not be coming to work. This could devastate our workforce.
Answer
We agree this is a major issue. We have asked for there to be exploration on whether this blanket requirement is necessary , e.g, for individuals who receive the flu vaccination but may have diabetes and not a respiratory illness or condition. This is also an area where testing staff is critical.
Question:
I have concerns. My Daughter returned from Vietnam 2 weeks ago and I have had a flu since then. Have called NHS 24 twice and advised to self-isolate for 2 weeks which I have. Still have symptoms but I have been advised that I will not be tested. I am in a position where I cannot return to my work until I am sure. Fortunately, I have been set up to work from home. Can you advise if Care at Home Employees will now have access to the test for Corona
Answer:
Not at present and this is an illustration of why we are pushing strenuously for this.
Question:
Is there proposals to give financial incentives to staff working on the front lines i.e Home care workers to encourage them to work as they are at risk ?
Answer:
There is no such proposal but we should perhaps encourage its suggestion.
Question:
Is there any guidance due from SSSC and CI about (slightly) easing the requirements for safe recruitment ( particularly around Disclosures) so that we can get staff who want to work for us into services more quickly- obviously with appropriate risk assessment
Answer
We have been told that there will be flexibility shown by SSSC and Disclosure in these areas. We await this happening.
Question
Will local authority staff be redeployed to support the care sector?
Answer
Certainly being explored.
Question
It is difficult to keep residents at 2m distance in the communal areas – lounge / dining rooms.
Answer:
Fully recognise that social distancing is hard – some homes have staggered meals so people are in same space but distant.
Question:
If we have to go in to contingency what guarantees or measures are going to be put in to place for payment from the Councils. Will our staff be paid the normal hours or only the hours they work?
Answer
Currently exploring this critical issue with COSLA.
Question
Could the self-isolation for a resident who will not remain in their room with a confirmed diagnosis…would they possibly have to be restrained by locking their room door as if it was their own front door?
Answer:
Under the Human Rights Act – Article 5 which is the right to freedom of movement is limited – this is a notifiable infection and there is a right to limit freedom of movement but it must be proportionate. A door lock would be reasonable to ensure resident safety and that of others.
Question:
Some countries have deferred Tax Bills etc for companies, any word that Scot Gov will extend deadlines for Corporation Tax when Due?
Answer:
Have asked SG and will raise with HMRC.
Question:
Some frontline staff had the flu jab but have no underlying health conditions? Will they be OK to continue?
Answer:
The limitations are for those notified to have the flu jag not anyone who does end up having it.
Question
If we have a staff member who has an underlying health condition and needs to be off but also have a member of their family who works in the same care home are they ok to continue working or do they need to stay away too
Answer:
The member of family can work unless the person with the underlying condition is self-isolating because they are symptomatic in which case the other relative has to be off for seven days.
Question:
Having a risk matrix for category 3 staff group is highly sensible – blanket application of category 3 will have significant impact on staffing
Answer:
We totally agree and are pushing for this.
Question:
Are you suggesting that a Covid19 case would be expected to remain within the care home?
Answer:
The HPS guidance is a confirmed Covid case will not be moved from a care home but will be treated there.
