Question reference: S5W-32007
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 23 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the further restrictions imposed on 23 September 2020, what plans it has to introduce testing for staff working in supported living accommodation that is regulated by the Care Inspectorate.
Answer
On 17 August the Scottish Government published Scotland’s COVID-19 Testing Strategy which identifies our priorities for the next phase of testing, further details can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-scotlands-testing-strategy-adapting-pandemic/
The Scottish Government is committed to using testing where it has a clear purpose and can contribute to reducing the risk of transmission. Decisions to make testing available to new groups are based on careful consideration of the contribution it can make in particular circumstances. We will continue to adopt a flexible approach to testing which is based on the best available evidence to address the challenges where it can have the greatest impact and is guided by scientific, clinical and public health advice from our expert advisory structures.
Testing provides a point in time assessment of whether a person has the infection and should not be seen as a substitute fora strong emphasis on symptomatic social care staff immediately self-isolating and arranging testing, use of appropriate PPE, physical distancing, environmental optimisation and decontamination and good social hygiene.
Public Health Scotland have produced guidance to support staff and users of supported living accommodation which can be found here: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/covid-19-information-and-guidance-for-social-community-and-residential-care-settings/