Question reference: S5W-31829
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 15 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what dispensation or alternative visitation guidance is being given to families of patients who are receiving palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
Visiting guidance in health and social care settings recognises that visits to those nearing the end of life are deemed essential and as such we would expect those working in clinical settings to accommodate such visits where it is safe to do so. This provision has been in place since restricted visiting was introduced earlier this year.
Visiting guidance (including information on essential visiting) in acute settings and a leaflet for members of the public are available on the Scottish Government and NHS Boards' websites.
Measures to restrict visiting are being continually monitored and will be further relaxed when it is safe to do so.