Question reference: S5W-30274
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 26 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 16 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made in the frequency of stethoscope usage during GP visits for people over 65, and what steps it is taking to resume the detection of structural heart diseases among this group in primary care settings.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the frequency of stethoscope usage during GP visits for people over 65.
We fully expect patients to be treated in line with their clinical priority. In these unprecedented times, NHS Boards are expected to schedule appointments or advise of alternative arrangements as soon as clinically appropriate, which includes arranging telephone or Near Me video consultations in primary care and hospital settings. The NHS continues to provide emergency and urgent care for all patients.
Anyone who feels that their condition is deteriorating and they need to be seen sooner than their scheduled appointment should contact their GP or clinician who will be able to provide further advice, or the NHS 24 111 service out of hours.
On 1 April, the Scottish Government published Coronavirus (COVID-19) tailored advice for those people living with chronic heart disease: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tailored-advice-for-those-who-live-with-specific-medical-conditions/ . This information is updated regularly.
For patients with chronic heart failure, more comprehensive information is available on the Scottish Heart Failure Hub website: www.heartfailurehubscotland.co.uk/covid-19/ .