Carers Trust Scotland today is releasing research about the experiences of the pandemic among unpaid carers and carer service support workers across Scotland.More than 500 participants shared the challenges of caring, and supporting unpaid carers, throughout the pandemic.
The pandemic has been difficult for unpaid carers, with 90% of respondents stating they are spending more time caring and 82% saying they have had no respite since the beginning of the pandemic.
With lockdowns and restrictions, many unpaid carers have been unable to share the responsibilities with family and friends and many services have had to pause or reduce their input.
These challenges also impact those carer service workers supporting unpaid carers. As other services paused, 76% of carer support workers that participated found their workload increased. 65% say that their job role has changed, as delivery of support moved online.
Carer support workers highlighted the emotionally demanding calls from unpaid carers, and the challenges of taking these calls in a home working environment without the support of colleagues that you would have in an office.
Hannah Martin, Research and Engagement Officer for Carers Trust Scotland, said: “The pandemic has been a very challenging time for both unpaid carers and carer support workers.
“The challenges unpaid carers have faced, have directly impacted those supporting them. Through the lived experience of unpaid carers and carer support workers, this research illuminates those challenges throughout this unprecedented time.”
In addition to providing an evidence base of experiences, the research puts forward recommendations and suggestions to support carer services and staff as they move out of the crisis phase of the pandemic. This includes recognising and valuing the incredible contribution of unpaid carers, and carer support workers over the pandemic period.
World-leading researcher on unpaid carers’ rights and Carers Trust Ambassador, Professor Saul Becker, said: “During the pandemic, unpaid carers of all ages, have been spending more time caring and more people than ever before have taken on unpaid caring responsibilities while statutory and other support services have been reduced or not available.
“This has also added additional pressures on carer support services that have had to adapt their practices quickly and provide holistic support to unpaid carers during very challenging circumstances.
“I welcome this COVID-19 in Scotland impact report on unpaid carers and carer service workers and believe every effort should be made to support the implementation of the report recommendations and suggestions, which could further improve the lives of unpaid carers and recognise and value the vital role of carer support services.”
Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart, said: “Carers, and the services that support them have done a remarkable job in very difficult circumstances over this past year during the pandemic. I want to thank them for all their hard work and effort.
“During the pandemic, we have invested an additional £1.9 million in extra carer support via carer organisations. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the Carers Trust and national care organisations to ensure that carers continue to receive the support and the services they rely on. We will continue to do so as we move into a new phase of the pandemic and society starts to open up.
“The Scottish Government is committed to establishing a National Care Service by the end of this parliament to oversee the delivery care, invest in better terms and conditions for the workforce and provide better support for unpaid carers.”
People should continue to follow public health measures to protect one another as all of Scotland prepares to move to Level 0 at 00:01 on Monday 19 July.
Confirming the change to Level 0, the First Minister urged people to adhere to protective measures and sensible precautions to suppress coronavirus (COVID-19) to help create conditions that allow Scotland to move beyond Level 0 on 9 August.
From 00:01 on Monday 19 July, physical distancing in Level 0 will reduce to 1 metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors. Additionally, informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households will be permitted outdoors without physical distancing. Gatherings of up to 10 people from four households will be permitted in all indoor public settings with 1 metre physical distancing.
Other easings to Level 0 taking effect at that time include:
under-12s will no longer count towards the number of households that can gather indoors in public spaces and homes
hospitality settings can open till midnight, if their current licence permits that, and customers will no longer be required to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant but will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect
up to 200 people will be able to gather at weddings and funerals
Employers are asked to continue to support home working where possible until we move beyond Level 0.
From 04:00 Monday 19 July, travellers who are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and children arriving into Scotland from Amber List countries will no longer be required to self-isolate and take a day eight test, but adults and children over 12 will still take tests before travelling and on day two after arrival. Anyone testing positive for or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will still require to isolate for 10 days.
A survey is being launched for those at highest risk from COVID-19 to gather views on what additional support might be needed as restrictions ease. Later this week, the Chief Medical Officer will also write to this group with advice on what moving to Level 0 will mean for them.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “While Scotland will move to Level 0 from next Monday, we will do so with certain modifications to our original indicative plans. This is intended to ensure that our pace of easing restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge we continue to face from the Delta variant.
“There is no doubt that Delta has become, unfortunately, something of a game-changer – even for countries on course to achieving full vaccine protection – so COVID does remain a threat that we must treat seriously.
“The Scottish Government understands the temptation to lift more restrictions more quickly. In our view, and in line with clinical advice and modelling, a gradual approach stands the best chance of minimising further health harm and loss of life – and also because a gradual approach stands the best chance of being a sustainable approach, it will be better in the long term for the economy as well.
“We are easing restrictions next week – but we are not abandoning them. We will also keep in place for now certain other measures – such as the requirement to wear face coverings, co-operate with test and protect teams, and comply with advice on good hygiene and ventilation.
“If we do all of this, frustrating though it all continues increasingly to be, we will help protect ourselves and our loved ones. As we continue to complete the vaccination programme, which does offer us still the route back to greater normality, we will make it easier for more restrictions to be gradually and sensibly lifted in the weeks ahead.”
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, 13 July 2021:
Presiding Officer,
I will update parliament today on the decisions the government has reached in relation to the current Covid restrictions.
In doing that, I will reflect on the mix of positive and more challenging developments we have experienced recently.
And I will emphasise that this is a time for continued caution – for government to take the tough decisions necessary to help safeguard the health and wellbeing of the country.
That means that while Scotland will move to level 0 from next Monday, we will do so with certain modifications to our original indicative plans.
This is intended to ensure that our pace of easing restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge we continue to face from the Delta variant.
And I will confirm that certain mitigations – such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings – will remain in place not just now but, in all likelihood, for some time to come.
It is important to stress that measures like the continued wearing of face coverings are important, not just to give added protection to the population as a whole, but also to give protection and assurance to those amongst us who are particularly vulnerable and who previously had to shield.
Lifting all restrictions and mitigations right now would put all of us at greater risk – but in particular it would make it much more difficult for the most clinically vulnerable to go about their normal lives. It would risk the imposition of shielding by default and, in my view, that is not something we should do.
Before I turn to the detail of all of this, let me summarise today’s statistics.
The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 2,529 – 11.5% of all tests.
The total number of confirmed cases is now 318,566.
There are currently 506 people in hospital – 37 more than yesterday.
And 41 people are in intensive care – 1 more than yesterday.
Sadly, 4 more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of deaths registered, under this daily definition, to 7,761 .
As always, my condolences go to everyone who has lost a loved one.
3,941,571 people have now received a first dose of the vaccine – an increase of 7,163 since yesterday.
And 10,286 people got a second dose yesterday, bringing the total number of second doses to 2,903,557.
The continued success of the vaccination programme continues to give us real hope.
We are in the final stages of offering first doses to all adults.
More than 80% of 30 to 39 year olds have had a first dose, along with around two thirds of 18 to 29 year-olds.
All 18 to 29 year olds have now had a first dose appointment scheduled.
Turning to second doses.
Virtually all over 60 year olds have now had both doses – uptake is 96% among 55 to 59 year olds, 89% in 50 to 54 year olds, and 61%, so far, in 40 to 49 year olds.
Second dose appointments are being scheduled for 8 weeks after the first dose – so in the next couple of weeks, coverage of 40 to 49 year olds will get much closer to the levels achieved for older age groups.
Walk-in vaccination centres are now open in all mainland health board areas for anyone over 18 who has not yet received a first dose, or who received a first dose eight weeks or more ago.
I appeal to everyone due to receive a first or second dose to get it as quickly as possible. It is the single most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves and each other.
As I said earlier, in coming to today’s decisions, the government has had to weigh up both positive and more challenging developments. The continued progress of the vaccination programme is obviously positive.
Also encouraging is that case numbers – which were rising sharply two weeks ago – now appear to have levelled off. In fact, they have fallen in recent days.
In the week to 4 July, an average of 3,300 positive cases per day were recorded.
That is now just under 2,700 – a reduction of more than 15%.
However, cases are still high – more than twice the level when I last updated parliament.
And not all cases are confirmed by testing. So although the current fall is encouraging, we continue to monitor all data – including, for example, on wastewater sampling – to get the fullest possible picture.
Another positive is that vaccination is definitely weakening the link between case numbers and severe acute illness.
In January more than 10% of people who tested positive for Covid had to go to hospital. That is now around 3%. It is also the case that people admitted to hospital with Covid are being discharged more quickly.
All of this reflects the fact that a much greater proportion of cases now are in younger people who are much less likely to become seriously ill.
However, for all the welcome signs, there are still reasons to be concerned – and certainly not complacent – about the current level of infection.
Firstly, if case numbers are high, even just 3% ending up in hospital puts pressure on the NHS.
We can see that already.
Three weeks ago, there were 171 people with Covid in hospital, and 18 in intensive care.
Today, it is 506 and 42 respectively.
Hopefully, with new cases starting to fall, we will also see hospital admissions fall over the next few weeks.
But at the moment, the pressure on the NHS is of concern.
First and foremost, it means a significant number of people suffering illness. It also means more pressure on a workforce that has already given so much.
And it holds back NHS recovery. Every hospital bed occupied by a Covid patient is one less bed available to tackle the backlog of non Covid care.
Another reason to take the current level of infection seriously is the risk of long Covid.
Many people, including young people, who get the virus but never need hospital care will still suffer long Covid.
This is a condition that experts still don’t yet fully understand – but we do know that it is causing misery for many.
Indeed, it is one of the main reasons that, in my view, we cannot be complacent about young people getting this virus.
To say that it just doesn’t matter – when we don’t yet fully understand what the long term consequences might be for some young people – would risk treating them as an experiment and it won’t surprise anyone to hear that i don’t think we should do that.
These are just some of the reasons for continued caution – even as our optimism about the impact of vaccination continues to grow.
That sense of caution is reinforced by looking at the international situation and listening to the WHO.
Several countries across Europe – for example Portugal and Spain – are now dealing with very sharp rises in cases. Holland has just reintroduced restrictions that were lifted at the end of June.
Israel has also seen a significant rise in cases as a result of Delta – despite its very high level of vaccination.
And some countries which did well in suppressing the virus last year – for example in the Asia and Pacific region – are now seeing cases rise. Japan, for example, has decided not to allow spectators at the Olympics.
As the Delta variant becomes more dominant in more countries, we are likely to see resurgences elsewhere too.
There is no doubt that Delta has become, unfortunately, something of a game-changer – even for countries on course to achieving full vaccine protection.
So Covid does remain a threat that we must treat seriously.
The Scottish Government understands, I understand, the temptation to lift more restrictions more quickly – of course we understand that.
But in our view, and in line with clinical advice and modelling, a gradual approach stands the best chance of minimising further health harm and loss of life.
And also because a gradual approach stands the best chance of being a sustainable approach, it will be better in the long term for the economy as well.
So we will continue to ease restrictions, we are not slamming on the breaks, but we will do so carefully.
Let me turn then to the detail of our decisions.
From Monday 19 July, all parts of Scotland not currently there will move to level 0.
However, this move will be made with certain modifications – applied consistently across the country – to ensure that we are not easing up faster than is sensible.
Full details are on our website.
However I will highlight some key points just now
In level 0, up to 8 people from up to 4 households can meet indoors at home – compared to 6 people from 3 households in levels 1 and 2.
Up to 10 people from up to 4 households can meet in a public indoor space – such as a pub or restaurant.
And up to 15 people from up to 15 households can meet outdoors – whether in a private garden or public place.
Children under 12 already don’t count towards the total number of people. From Monday, they will not count towards the total number of households ether.
In level 0 up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.
Soft play centres can open – as they could at level 1, but not at level 2.
And for hospitality businesses, at level 0 – unlike in level 2 – there is no requirement for customers to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant.
However, customers will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect. And they will still be required to wear face coverings except when seated.
There will still be limits on the size of events and stadia attendances – but these will increase outdoors to 2000 seated and 1000 standing, and indoors to 400.
As of now, organisers will be able to apply to stage larger events.
Let me turn now to the modifications to our indicative plans.
Firstly, hospitality venues in level 0 – in all parts of Scotland – will require to close at midnight. This is a change to what we had previously indicated for level 0 – that venues should follow local licensing rules.
This reflects the fact that indoor hospitality – despite the sector’s sterling efforts – remains a relatively risky environment, particularly later at night when people may be less likely to follow rules. A midnight closing time represents progress from level 1 and 2 but it will help mitigate some of this risk.
The second modification is to physical distancing. Let me be clear, what I am about to set out applies to public places. We have already removed the requirement to distance for groups of family and friends meeting in private houses or gardens – as long as these are within the permitted limits.
In indoor public places – as indicated previously – where there isn’t already a 1m rule in place, the physical distance requirement will reduce from 2m to 1m and will apply between different household groups.
The main modification is in relation to outdoor public places.
We had hoped to lift physical distancing outdoors completely and, by extension, remove any limit on the numbers who can gather together outdoors.
However, for precautionary reasons at this stage, we intend to keep in place a limit on the size of outdoor group gatherings – as indicated earlier, this will be up to 15 people from up to 15 households.
Because meeting outdoors is less risky than indoors, there will be no requirement to distance within these groups of 15. However, for the next 3 weeks at least, there will be a requirement for 1m distancing between different groups of 15.
The Economy Secretary intends to work with the events sector on guidance to explore how events already organised might still go ahead, with appropriate modifications.
The final and perhaps most substantial modification to what we had indicatively planned relates to working from home.
We had indicated that a gradual return to the office could begin from level 0.
However, given the current situation we intend to postpone this until we move beyond level 0 – which we still hope will be on 9 August.
Until then we will continue to ask employers to support home working where possible.
I know this will be disappointing for many businesses – and also some employees who are finding home-working hard.
But this will reduce the extent to which people are meeting up in enclosed environments or travelling together, and so will help to contain transmission during this phase.
Presiding Officer
I hope that the move to level 0 – albeit in a modified form – will be welcomed.
It is not a complete and wholesale lifting of all restrictions – it was never intended to be.
However, it does restore yet more freedom to all of us.
Indeed, it is worth emphasising that we are no longer in lockdown – nothing like it. Life is much more normal than at any time since the start of this pandemic.
However, the gradual approach we are taking means that sensible precautions will remain in place to limit transmission while we make even more progress on vaccination.
To that end, as I indicated earlier, we will also keep in place for now certain other measures – such as the requirement to wear face coverings; co-operate with test and protect teams; and comply with advice on good hygiene and ventilation.
On the issue of mandating mitigations like face coverings, let me say this.
It is my view that if government believes measures like this matter – and we do – we should say so, do what is necessary to ensure compliance, and take any resulting flak from those who disagree.
We shouldn’t lift important restrictions to make our lives easier and then expect the public to take responsibility for doing the right thing anyway.
Presiding Officer
I have addressed today the move to level 0.
We previously indicated that we hope to move beyond level 0 on 9 August. That remains our expectation.
By then almost everyone over the age of 40 will have had their second vaccine dose at least two weeks previously.
However, as with today’s decisions, we will assess the data before coming to a final decision nearer the time, and I will provide a further update to Parliament in the week before 9 August.
Presiding Officer
Finally, today I want to confirm our future intentions in relation to the requirement for close contacts of positive cases to self isolate. We know how onerous and disruptive this is.
So, firstly, when we move beyond level 0, we intend to remove the blanket requirement for close contacts to self isolate, as long as they are double vaccinated – with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose – and take a PCR test that comes back negative. We will publish guidance on the practical operation of this shortly.
Secondly, as part of our wider preparations for the new academic term, we have asked our education advisory group for advice on whether, to what extent and with what mitigations we can remove the self isolation requirement for young people in education settings who are close contacts of positive cases. We will set out our conclusions well in advance of the new term.
We are of course still waiting for advice from the JCVI on whether children over 12 should be vaccinated.
Lastly, from next Monday, 19 July, self-isolation will no longer be required for people arriving from countries on the amber list, provided they are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and take a PCR test on the second day after arrival.
We will continue to take a precautionary approach to the inclusion of countries on the amber list.
And, notwithstanding this change, we continue to advise against non essential overseas travel at this time.
For the avoidance of doubt, let me be clear that anyone testing positive for, or experiencing symptoms of, Covid will still require to isolate for ten days.
The decisions I am setting out today show that – despite the impact of Delta – vaccination is allowing us to continue easing restrictions, albeit cautiously.
That will be a relief to the vast majority. But it will be a source of anxiety to some.
So let me address again those at the highest clinical risk – many of whom previously shielded.
I know that many of you feel anxious about any easing of restrictions – particularly if you cannot have the vaccine; or have conditions, or are on treatments, that suppress your immune system.
The Scottish Government is very aware of that. We will not abandon you.
For as long as necessary we will ask people to take sensible precautions – like the wearing of face coverings – to allow you, like everyone else, to enjoy more normal life again.
We are also launching a survey this week for those on the highest risk list to tell us what additional support you need.
And the Chief Medical Officer will write to you this week with further advice.
Lastly, we know that there are around 13,000 people at high clinical risk who haven’t yet had both doses of vaccine.
If you are one of them – and if you are able to get the vaccine – please do so.
Presiding Officer
That final note of caution explains again the careful balance at the heart of our decisions today.
The vaccination programme is working, it definitely is working, and that gives us confidence to ease restrictions further.
But case numbers are still high. Covid still poses a risk to the health of many.
In the race between the vaccine and the virus, we believe the vaccine will win. But we cannot allow the virus to run too far ahead.
So we must stick to a cautious approach.
We are easing restrictions next week – but we are not abandoning them.
And even when we move beyond level 0, we will continue to require some baseline measures such as face coverings for a period longer.
I will end by emphasising again what we can all can do to protect each other.
First, get vaccinated. If you are over 18 and haven’t had a first dose appointment – or if you are 8 weeks or more from your second dose – register on the NHS Inform website for an appointment or go to a drop-in clinic.
Second, please get tested regularly.
Free lateral flow tests are available by post through NHS Inform, or for collection from test sites and local pharmacies.
If you test positive through one of these devices – or if you have symptoms – make sure you self-isolate, and book a PCR test as quickly as possible.
Third, stick to the remaining rules, and follow basic hygiene measures.
Meet other people outdoors as much as possible.
If you are meeting indoors, stick to the limits on group sizes. And open windows – the better ventilated a room is, the safer it is.
And remember physical distancing, hand-washing, the cleaning of surfaces, face coverings – all of these basic measures are as important now as ever.
If we do all of this, frustrating though it all continues increasingly to be, we will help protect ourselves and our loved ones. And as we continue to complete the vaccination programme which does offer us still the route back to greater normality, will make it easier for more restrictions to be gradually and sensibly lifted in the weeks ahead.
THE STUC HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT
STUC General Secretary, Roz Foyer, stated: “We welcome the more cautious approach set out today by the First Minister. The trade union movement has consistently called for a cautious approach to easing restrictions, based on the data in conjunction with vaccine uptake.
“Many workers will be breathing a sigh of relief at the continuation of mandatory use of face masks. However, for hospitality staff, many of whom will not yet be fully vaccinated, the announcement of larger indoor events may understandably cause fear and worry.
“When planning for the return to office working, we need employers to work with trade unions and employees to consider a phased and flexible approach for their return to work, ensuring workers’ health and wellbeing is protected while working from home or in the office.”
The Scottish Government has released £12 million in additional funding to health boards across Scotland to support non-COVID emergency care.
This immediate action will help put measures in place to reduce waiting times for urgent or emergency treatment, with a focus on boosting staffing levels and available beds.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are acutely aware that hospitals are facing significant challenges due to a rise in non-Covid attendances and that some health boards are taking necessary measures to protect urgent and emergency care capacity.
“This £12 million will support them to do so. We are working closely with those Health Boards experiencing the greatest challenges to ensure the funding delivers the improvements required.
“Our NHS staff continue to work tirelessly to respond to the pandemic whilst providing vital non-Covid treatment and safe patient care. Any reductions to service will be short term to ensure those of most critical need have immediate medical attention. Urgent treatment, including vital cancer treatment will continue during this challenging period.”
Chief Executive of NHS Lothian Calum Campbell said: “Hospitals across Scotland are dealing with the pandemic, while seeing an increase in non-covid patients arriving at their doors.
“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for working with us to ensure everyone who needs urgent or emergency care is prioritised – such as vital cancer treatment or accident and emergency care for life-threatening conditions.
“This funding will be vital in helping to provide extra staffing and bed capacity to further enhance improvements in unscheduled care and support delivery of the NHS Recovery Plan.
“NHS Lothian will use this funding to increase beds in the community, relieving pressures on acute hospitals, and to support staff in treating patients as quickly as possible.”
The public can do their part to help the NHS by considering options closer to home when they need medical attention.
Advice is available online at NHS Inform, or they can contact their GP practice or visit their local pharmacy who can help and prescribe treatment.
They can also call NHS 24 on 111 if they can’t wait for their GP practice to open, or they think they need emergency treatment which is not life-threatening.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has urged the UK Government this week to rethink its plan to relax all restrictions owing to the surge in COVID-19 infection rates.
The association has been a leading voice in the debate on the issue on the national and international media.
Senior BMA members including chair of council Chaand Nagpaul and co-chairs of the BMA’s public health committee Penelope Toff and Richard Jarvis co-signed a letter in TheLancet published on Thursday – which described the easing of restrictions as ‘reckless’.
Dr Nagpaul also appeared on the BBC’s Newsnight last night (9 July) saying it was ‘folly’ for the UK Government to press ahead with easing all restrictions on 19 July. He pointed to the growing evidence of spiralling infections leading to growing hospitalisations as well as wider effects on public health.
‘We need to dispel the idea we’ve broken the link with hospitalisations. It’s diluted but we have about three times as many people on ventilators than this time last month and two and a half times more people in hospital than last month,’ he said and added that if the trends continue this will further increase the pressures on the NHS.
Dr Nagpaul added that this was not simply a secondary care issue but there were now growing numbers of the population suffering from the condition not going to hospital many of whom will go on to have long COVID.
The BMA is arguing for the UK Government to maintain some targeted control measure in place after 19 July including the requirement to continue wearing face coverings in indoor public settings and improved messaging on social distancing and meeting outdoors where possible.
Dr Nagpaul (above) said full easing on the timescale proposed ‘defied public health logic’ – further unlocking of restrictions was a matter of timings rather than ‘indefinite restrictions’. Dr Nagpaul also appeared on CNN on Thursday arguing for targeted restrictions to remain.
Following Monday’s press conference by the prime minister, the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser, the BMA issued a statement describing the proposed easing of restriction as ‘incredibly concerning’.
‘There is a clear disconnect with the actions the Government is planning to take and the data and views of the scientific community and medical profession,’ it says.
On Monday evening deputy council chair David Wrigley appeared on Channel 5 News to reflect on the announcement and said getting rid of restrictions was ‘reckless’ and was a ‘recipe for seeing an increase in infections which is not good for the NHS and not good for patients’.
The situation in Scotland remains concerning, where Covid levels are among the highest in Europe and hospitals are coming under increasing pressure.
The Scottish Cabinet meets on Tuesday morning and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will update Holyrood on Scotland’s plans for moving to Level 0 on Tuesday afternoon.
The Scottish Government had originally planned that all parts of Scotland woud be in level zero from 19 July, allowing some additional relaxation to rules on physical distancing and outdoor gatherings.
Following these initial easings in July, the plan is that more restrictions will be removed on 9 August, including lifting the legal requirement to physically distance indoors.
However the Scottish Government has repeatedly said it will be driven by ‘data not dates’ and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier this week that these dates are not written in ‘tablets of stone’.
Scotland’s Test and Protect contact tracing system will see its workforce bolstered with the deployment of additional staff over the coming week to help address a rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said recent changes to the system are helping its performance and the way it operates will continue to evolve as vaccination levels rise.
Ascensos, one of Test and Protect’s existing commercial partners, has agreed an arrangement with Barrhead Travel to accelerate and augment the capacity they are providing to the contact tracing system by 100 staff. Additional contact tracing bank staff continue to be brought on board and existing bank staff mobilised.
Recent changes to the system have also been implemented aimed at ensuring a growing number of cases are closed by contact tracers and that high risk cases are prioritised. These include greater use of text messaging to contact lower risk index cases and digital self-tracing forms.
Mr Yousaf said: “Our Test and Protect workforce have played a vital role in the battle against this pandemic. We owe these contact tracing teams a huge debt of gratitude for all their efforts over the past year.
“The Test and Protect system has continued to operate well as case numbers have increased in recent weeks, contacting unprecedented numbers of people.
“This agreement to bring in additional staff follows our ongoing efforts this year to ensure commercial partners were on board in preparation for potential increases in demand on the contact tracing system.
“This extra workforce is important, but the success of the system going forward will not simply be about staffing numbers.
“Test and Protect will change as the population becomes more protected by vaccination and it will still play a key role in mitigating clusters and outbreaks in high risk settings, slowing infection spread and protecting populations at risk.
“As we announced last week, we are now using a variety of methods to contact people, including using digital methods like SMS messages for lower risk cases and prioritising calls for higher risk cases. These changes, along with extra staffing, will ensure that people are contact traced, and begin self-isolation, as quickly as possible. I’m confident that the performance of Test and Protect has started to improve in recent days.
“The majority of people comply when asked to self-isolate and we are thankful for the important role they are continue to play in stopping transmission of COVID-19.
“We will have to manage living with COVID-19 for some time to come, even when we are able to move beyond Level 0. While we hope we are in the process of emerging from the pandemic, case rates at the moment underline the fact that this virus is still with us.”
Recently announced measures have been implemented to streamline the contact tracing system to manage pressure on the system and ensure it is more efficient.
These include greater use of text messaging to contact lower risk index cases and digital self-tracing forms.
Test and Protect is an NHS-led service which works with commercial partners to help augment capacity when required.
Contact tracing capacity in Scotland is split between the National Contact Centre operated by National Services Scotland (NSS) and the daily contact tracing workforce provided by territorial Health Boards.
Grants worth a total of £1.61 million have been allocated to community-based drugs organisations and support services providing access to treatment and residential rehabilitation.
The Local Support Fund – for groups with an annual income of under £1 million – issued 24 awards. Recipients included the Navigator project, run by Medics Against Violence, which will get £37,256 to help patients who attend Emergency Departments access appropriate local services after discharge.
Grants of up to £100,000 were awarded to 17 organisations under the Improvement Fund which supports services leading to fast access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and initiatives which help drug users address the underlying challenges they face.
This round of funding is from the £18 million package announced in March to support the national mission to reduce drug related deaths and improve lives.
Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “I am pleased we have been able to support these organisations to improve and extend their services.
“The Local Support Fund will help community based projects increase their capacity so they can reach more people who experience problem drug use and offer increased support to them and their families.
“The Improvement Fund supports initiatives which lead to quick access to treatment and help for families. It can also be used for residential rehabilitation and to provide access to additional support, such as mental health services, to enable people to address any underlying challenges they face.
“Over the next five years we will spend £250 million on addressing the drug deaths crisis, £100 million of which will go on improving the provision of residential rehabilitation and I will update Parliament on progress in this area after the summer recess.
“As I have said before, I am determined that every penny of this additional funding will make a difference to all those affected by drug use in Scotland.”
Director of Medics Against Violence Christine Goodall said: “Medics Against Violence are absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to expand the capacity of the Navigator Project.
“This project provides relational and responsive support for people who are at risk or in crisis, so this expansion will play an important role in keeping even more people safe and connected. We hope that by continuing to working together with partners we can support people towards safer and healthier lives.”
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh today (Thursday 8th July):
Good afternoon everyone. As you can see, I’m joined by the Chief Medical Officer today, and he will take questions with me shortly.
Before that though I want to reflect on our current Covid situation and, in doing that, I will also look ahead briefly to the statement I will make to Parliament next week.
But before any of that, I’ll summarize today’s statistics.
Yesterday there were 2,802 positive cases reported, which is 8% of all of the tests that were carried out.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 306,449.
There are 401 people who are currently in hospital – that is 14 more than yesterday.
And 38 people are receiving intensive care, and that is 4 more than yesterday.
Sadly 4 further deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and that takes the total number of deaths registered under this daily definition to 7,744.
As always, I want to convey my thoughts and condolences to everyone who has been bereaved over the course of this pandemic.
I’ll also briefly update on the progress of the vaccination programme.
As of this morning, 3,900,864 people had received a first dose of vaccine.
That is an increase of 10,688 since yesterday.
In addition to that, yesterday 16,984 people got the second dose and that brings the total number of second doses to 2,825,886.
So as you can see from these numbers, the vaccine programme continues to make really good progress and that should make us optimistic. For now though, that optimism needs to be balanced by concern at the high case numbers we’ve seen recently – a pattern that is increasingly evident in other countries as well.
However, on the upside – and while there will always be daily fluctuations as we can see, and that’s why we look most closely at 7 day averages – looking at the figures reported over the past few days, we can see the suggestion that the recent surge in cases may be, to some extent, levelling off now. Today’s reported figure, for example, represents 1,432 fewer cases than were reported on this day last week.
Similarly, if we look at the seven day average, there does appear to be a slowdown in the rise in positive cases.
So while we need to monitor this in the days to come, that is encouraging news but obviously case numbers remain high. And that is a worry.
We increasingly hear talk just now of learning to live with the virus, which we all want to be able to do.
And it is true, absolutely true, that we can’t live a restricted way of life forever – because that in itself affects our health and wellbeing. And it is also true, thankfully, that vaccines are offering us an alternative way forward.
However, that desire to just live with it cannot mean that we simply throw all caution to the wind and no longer worry at all about rising levels of infection.
And I want to just set out briefly why we can’t simply through all caution to the wind.
Firstly, this virus is still potentially dangerous. As we see almost every day just now, it is still taking lives – though mercifully, thanks to the vaccines, it is doing so in far fewer numbers than we saw in earlier stages.
Secondly, even though the majority – a quite significant majority – of cases are now in younger people, who are much less likely to become acutely ill, the health impacts can still be significant. Many young people are suffering from long Covid, which of course experts still don’t fully understand.
So it would be wrong and irresponsible – because our young people are not guinea pigs – to have no concern at all about young people being infected with this virus.
And, thirdly, even though far fewer people with Covid are ending up in hospital now – around 3% of all cases compared to 13% earlier in the year – and that’s mainly because vaccines are giving protection to those that previously were most likely to fall seriously ill, it is still the case that 3% of a high number of positive cases will still put significant pressure on our NHS. That’s a matter of basic arithmetic.
And because the NHS is much busier again with non-Covid care – which is a good thing because we are trying to catch up on the backlog created earlier in the pandemic when we had to stop a lot of non-Covid care – that pressure will be felt now much more quickly.
And it is already being felt in our NHS. Already some hospitals are having to scale back a bit on Covid elective care again. And I just want to take the opportunity again today to pay tribute to everybody working really hard in our NHS up and down the country.
So for all of these reasons – while it is still the case, and this bit hasn’t changed, that vaccines are offering us the way out of this, hopefully soon – this is a moment for care and caution.
And that’s not true just here in Scotland, although we are undoubtedly at the sharp end of this Delta curve.
But increasingly we see and hear other countries, faced with an accelerating Delta wave, also re-emphasise the need for caution.
It is worth pointing out – and I am doing this non-pejoratively, just as a statement of fact and because the pressure is always there for Scotland to follow suit – I think it is worth pointing out that the path the UK government is embarking on for England, which is entirely a matter for them, a path of not just lifting all restrictions from 19 July, but also removing the requirement for basic mitigations like face masks, and doing so against the backdrop of sharply increasing case numbers, is something of an exception.
So while I totally understand the desire that some have for us to follow suit in every single respect, we have to think carefully about the steps we do take at this juncture.
My job is not to take the easy decisions in a quest for popularity.
It is to do what I think is most likely to keep the country as safe as possible as we get to the end of the vaccination programme.
You’ve heard me use the analogy before – and I’m far from the only person to have used it – that this is a race between the virus and the vaccines.
Over the next few weeks as we complete the vaccination programme, it is really important that we don’t let the virus outrun us.
So that brings me on to the second issue I want to just briefly cover today, which is the statement I will make to Parliament next Tuesday.
As you know, when we published our revised strategic framework, we said that 19 July was the indicative date for Scotland’s move to level 0.
Next Tuesday, ahead of that date, I will set out to Parliament the final decision that the Cabinet will reach on Tuesday morning on whether and to what extent that move is able to proceed.
It is worth noting – again, just as a statement of fact, not because I want you to read anything particular into this – that these decisions needn’t always be binary. It is always possible to proceed with some planned changes but hold back on others if we think that is appropriate.
Obviously though, I very much hope we will be able to move ahead as planned – and the apparent slowing down in the case numbers gives me more cause for optimism about that than I might have had a week ago – but nevertheless between now and Tuesday, we will continue to monitor very carefully the latest data on cases, but also on hospitalizations and deaths to see whether that weakening of the link between cases and severe illness is continuing.
So that is a decision I will set out on Tuesday and I don’t want to pre-empt that decision any further today, but there is one point I do want to emphasise – particularly given that I’m very aware the media will be full of talk of so-called Freedom Day in relation to England and I absolutely understand everybody’s desire to get to what is called Freedom Day here as quickly as possible.
But as the case numbers show, Covid is still with us. It is still present across the globe and it is going to be around for some time to come.
So it is important, I think, just to remind all of us that a move to level 0 does not mean the immediate end of all restrictions.
Many of the baseline measures we use – things like face coverings, physical distancing, rigorous hand hygiene, advising on good ventilation – these are going to continue to be important mitigations in protecting ourselves and others from the virus, perhaps for some time yet.
So no matter what our decision is next week about the move to level 0, there won’t be an abrupt end to these basic protective measures when we do move to level 0. Obviously I will set out more about that in the statement I make next week.
To finish though, I want to remind everyone of the three things all of us can do to help beat this virus.
We hopefully are seeing a slowdown in the rate of increase that we’ve had in the last couple of weeks. That’s good news. The vaccination programme continues to go well, we’ve got drop in clinics in every part of mainland Scotland to encourage people to come forward for vaccinations. So we have cause and reason to continue to be optimistic – but this is a moment in our path out of this pandemic for us to be careful and cautious.
All of us have a part to play and I just want to end by reiterating the things that all of us can do to help get us back to that position of normality as quickly as possible.
The first is to get vaccinated as soon as you are invited to do so. If you are over 18 years of age, you should have had your invitation for the first jag by now. So if you haven’t had that, you can self-register on the NHS Inform website to get an appointment or you can go to one of the drop-in clinics.
As I said a moment ago, there are open clinics in all mainland health board areas and you can find details of the one nearest to you on NHS Inform website or on the social media accounts of your own health board.
These drop in clinics are also available to anyone who has had a first dose 8 weeks or more ago but hasn’t yet had a second dose.
I simply can’t emphasise enough just how important it is that we all get vaccinated with both doses. So please get both jags as soon as you can and the NHS Inform website is a place to go if you need more information on how to get your jag.
The second thing we’re asking everyone to do, is to take the opportunity to test yourself regularly. That’s particularly important if you are planning to visit somebody or go somewhere. If you take a test before you go, you will reduce the risk of you inadvertently spreading the virus if you perhaps have it and don’t have symptoms. So it helps protect those that you will be coming into contact with.
You can get lateral flow tests through the NHS inform website. That way you can get them sent to you by post. But you can also pick them up from local and regional test centres, or from local pharmacies.
If you test positive through one of these lateral flow devices – or if you have symptoms of the virus – please make sure that you self-isolate, and that you book a PCR test as quickly as possible.
And if you are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid, you will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days – so please do that. We are reviewing the policy on isolation for contacts of positive cases for the future and will set out our intentions on that shortly. But for now it remains an important mitigation.
The third and final thing we’re asking people to do is stick to the rules wherever you live, and keep following the basic hygiene measures.
Meet other people outdoors as much as possible.
If you are meeting indoors, stick to the limits on group sizes, follow the advice around hygiene and ventilation and remember that is important even if you are meeting indoors to watch the football or other sport.
And please remember physical distancing, hand-washing, face coverings – all of these basic mitigations still help us to limit the spread of this virus.
And if, like I’m sure most of us have been over the past few weeks, you have been slipping on these things this is a moment to tighten up again as we hopefully embark on this next and final phase of getting out of the Covid restrictions.
So those are the key things we’re asking everybody do to. We’re all thoroughly sick of every single aspect of this. I don’t just know that, I feel that, but it’s really important that, having come so far, and having hopefully an effective end point to this in sight, that we stick with it to make sure not just that we get to that end point but that we get to that end point as safely as possible.
So thank you for your continued patience, thank you for your continued forbearance with all of this, and please continue to stick with it.
11% rise in individuals applying from most deprived areas
Scottish universities have seen a record number of prospective students applying to study for the academic year ahead, according to new figures from the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).
The number of individuals applying to Scottish institutions increased by 10% to 140,440. The figures show the number of Scottish applicants from the most deprived areas applying to UK providers has increased by 11% and there has been a 23% rise in non-EU international applicants.
This year’s statistics also highlight a 41% decrease in applicants based in EU countries looking to study in Scotland.
Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “These statistics show a steep rise in prospective students looking to study at Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with applicants from Scotland’s most deprived areas increasing by 11% to a record high.
“We have seen a big percentage increase in applicants from international students outside the EU and that again demonstrates the attractiveness of Scotland as a place to come to live and study.
“There was however a sharp drop in EU students applying to come to Scotland, which was always going to be an inevitable consequence of leaving the EU. We will continue to work with our international partners to strengthen our education and research relationships through scholarships and by promoting Scottish learning and research globally, recognising the ongoing importance of our close relationships with our European neighbours.”
The vaccination bus run by NHS Lothian and the Scottish Ambulance Service will operate this weekend to reach as many over 18s as possible.
The mobile unit is visiting shopping centres in West Lothian and Edinburgh as the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme nears completion of first doses for all adults in Scotland.
Meanwhile, every mainland health board continues to offer daily drop-in clinics where people can attend for their first dose or – if eight weeks have passed – their second dose.
Anyone who would prefer a scheduled appointment can continue to self-register with NHS Inform if for any reason they have not yet had their first inoculation.
Visiting the vaccination bus in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Steedman said: “The vaccination programme has been a huge success and it is great to see so many people taking advantage of the mobile units.
“I want to thank NHS Lothian and the Scottish Ambulance Service for their help in adding this option to the programme and, of course, every single person involved in the roll-out in Scotland.
“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why we are urging people to get jagged in July. We are currently working our way through the remaining people in the 18-29 year old group and would welcome them at the vaccination bus if they want to pop in while they are out shopping or walking.
“If the mobile unit isn’t near you, remember you can attend one of the drop-in clinics being run in all mainland health boards. You can also rearrange the location of your appointment online if, for example, it is more convenient for you to be vaccinated closer to your work than home.
“All of the evidence says that the vaccines are working as we continue to battle the faster-transmitting Delta variant which is now dominant so I urge everyone to take advantage of the vaccination programme which is open to every adult in Scotland.”
NHS Lothian Director of Nursing for Primary and Community Care Pat Wynne said: “The mobile unit is rolling out across Lothian to help us reach into communities and take the lifesaving vaccine to them.
“It is a great boost to our vaccination programme and will complement the drop-in clinics that are already running at our mass vaccination sites and in local, smaller clinics.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to get their COVID-19 vaccination because we know how crucially important it is. I would encourage anyone who is near these locations this week, and is yet to be vaccinated, not to miss the bus and come forward.”
Scottish Ambulance Service Clinical Governance Manager Keith Colver, said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service, in partnership with local Health Board colleagues and local authorities, has provided mobile vaccination clinics in the heart of communities across Scotland and since launching the service in Perthshire, feedback from the public who have attended one of our drop in clinics has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Over the next two weeks we would encourage anyone aged over 18 who has yet to receive their first vaccination, or had their first vaccination over eight weeks ago, to take the time to drop into a mobile clinic.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government in developing the mobile vaccination service and rolling it out to other areas of Scotland, helping to vaccinate as many people as possible against Covid-19.”
Vaccination bus locations this weekend:
Friday 9 July and Saturday 10 July – Almondvale Shopping Centre, Livingston
Sunday 11 July – Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre, Edinburgh
Remember you can also get a jag without an appointment at Craigroyston Community High School from 8:30 – 4pm until Sunday.
Scotland is still expected to move to level zero on 19 July, with remaining legal restrictions lifted on 9 August, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon conceded yesterday that case numbers are worryingly high and that the planned dates are not “set in stone”.
The First Minister will be holding a media briefing at lunchtime today:
Projects that restore nature, safeguard wildlife and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss and climate change will get a share of £10 million through a new Scottish Government fund.
The Nature Restoration Fund will support a mix of urban and rural-focused projects, such as improving greenspace for outdoor learning, green active travel routes, planting of wildlife corridors and natural flood management.
Half of the funding will go to local authorities to develop new or existing projects which help address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, but which also aim to promote the health and wellbeing of local communities and reduce inequalities.
The remaining £5 million will include a small project competitive fund of £1 million to be distributed by NatureScot, and the balance will go directly to established nature restoration projects across Scotland, including native-tree planting, nature restoration in rivers, lochs and coasts, and improving and connecting habitats.
To announce the new funding, Environment Minister Mairi McAllan (below) visited Malls Mire, a community regeneration project in North Toryglen, Glasgow where 15 hectares of land has been turned by Clyde Gateway and Urban Roots into park, wetland and woodland with accessible paths.
She said: “Our new £10 million fund will help address the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change in a way that supports Scotland’s urban and rural communities and tackles inequalities.
“And it’s just one of a range of actions we’re taking. From our ground breaking work leading the international ‘Edinburgh Process’ to investing in locally driven nature restoration projects in urban, rural and coastal Scotland, we’re helping to improve the health and wellbeing of communities, improve air and water quality, create green jobs and tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
“As we prepare to welcome COP26 to Glasgow later this year, we’re committed to raising our ambition for nature’s recovery. Our Statement of Intent sets out our ambitions and includes a new voluntary commitment to protect 30% of our land for nature by 2030.”
NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “More people than ever now understand and support the need to put nature at the heart of our recovery from the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. With COP15 and COP26 coming up, Scotland has a huge opportunity to address the many challenges and pressures that nature is facing.
“This £10 million investment is a significant boost for nature restoration, allowing us to support many more projects working to put our woodlands, peatlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery – taking carbon out of the atmosphere, adapting to climate change and reducing the risks of flood, drought and wildfire.
“These nature-based solutions will not only help us reach net zero by 2045, they’ll provide the nature-rich future we need for a healthier, more resilient Scotland.”
The competitive element of the Nature Restoration Fund is now open for applications, with a closing date of 27 July. See the NatureScot website for application details.
