Scottish Government – Page 306 – The NEN

Transport community to aid Coronavirus effort

New arrangements are being put in place to tap into the groundswell of support from the transport community to help people with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms attend urgent but non-emergency medical appointments.

The Scottish Government and NHS Boards, with the support of Scotland’s business community, have been working to make vehicles and drivers available to COVID-19 symptomatic patients who are well enough to travel but do not have access to a car and are unable to use public transport to reach their local COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre.

These arrangements will also create greater capacity for patients to meet other medical appointments, should that become necessary. Protocols have been prepared, in line with social distancing guidance, to ensure the safety of patients and drivers.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “While we are asking people wherever possible to look after themselves at home, when symptoms do worsen or become unmanageable patients may be asked to attend their local Community Assessment Centre. This can be challenging where a person is well enough to travel but has no access to their own transport and is not allowed to use public transport.

“These new patient transport services will be in line with social distancing measures and make it easier for people to get the right help at the right time which will also reduce pressure on hospital admissions.

“The patient driver services are a fantastic example of Scotland pulling together to respond to COVID-19 and I must give thanks to all those who have volunteered their services so far. I am particularly grateful to Arnold Clark for volunteering a fleet of vehicles to our Health Boards, car hire companies for their offers of support, and the taxi industry for engaging so positively with us to secure additional capacity if and where needed.

“So far we have received more than 100 offers of support from businesses across Scotland to help move people and goods, and we are working with health boards to explore and take advantage of these opportunities.”

Arnold Clark Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Eddie Hawthorne said: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to keep NHS key workers and the emergency services on the road since our branches temporarily closed on 24 March following the government’s lockdown advice.

“Along with the hundreds of vehicles we have provided free of charge to the NHS and frontline emergency personnel to help them get on with their vital work, we are delighted now to be able to help patients too with this new transport service.

“We are proud of the valiant efforts our employees have made in response to requests from frontline workers across the country. On behalf of everyone at Arnold Clark, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the NHS and all frontline staff for the incredible work they are doing in very difficult circumstances. We are proud to assist them in any way we can.”

Immediate pay rise for social care staff

Social care staff are to receive an immediate 3.3% pay increase backdated from 1 April.

The move, agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA, means staff will not need to wait for the pay to be backdated at a point later in the year following negotiations, as has happened in previous years.

It is part of a package of measures to support social care workers in recognition of the vital role they are playing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Social care support workers providing direct adult support will have their pay increased to at least the Real Living Wage rate of £9.30 an hour for all hours worked, including sleep-overs and hours worked by personal assistants.

The Scottish Government will also provide funding to third sector and independent providers specifically to ensure staff receive sick pay if they are off work ill or because they are self-isolating.

In addition, the agreed funding increase to these providers will give them the financial flexibility to increase wages across their organisations, and not just to frontline staff.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Scotland’s dedicated social care workers are on the frontline of our national pandemic response. Their work is always hugely valued, and never more so than now.

“The measures we are announcing in partnership with COSLA today will ensure all people providing adult social care receive the Real Living Wage for every hour worked with immediate effect, rather than having to wait until later in the year.

“As well as providing an uplift in pay for all social care workers, this package ensures social care providers have both flexibility to increase wages across their organisations and the necessary funding for sick pay if their employees are off ill or are self-isolating.”

Cllr Stuart Currie, COSLA spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said: “Local Government recognise and value the vital contribution of Scotland’s social care workforce and have made great efforts together to achieve an agreement that confirms the living wage as well as supporting providers where they are experiencing additional cost associated with COVID-19.

“Today’s announcement reflects the key worker status of social care support staff and confirms support for those off sick or self-isolating.”

Andy Kerr, Chair of the Fair Work in Social Care Group, said: “This announcement will provide social care providers the confidence, in these very challenging times, to ensure a very welcome and deserved pay uplift for social care staff working in Scotland.

As well as recognising the importance of their work, today’s announcement also gives reassurance that financial support is available for those who are sick or self-isolating during this unprecedented situation. It also reflects the work we are doing as part of the overall reform of adult social care to build a framework for fair work across the sector.”

A joint letter from Ms Freeman and Cllr Currie was issued to all local authorities setting out details of the package.

This follows their previous letter to local authorities and integrated joint boards to confirm the key worker status of social care workers, and their access to childcare and support where required.

First Minister visits NHS Louisa Jordan facility

The First Minister has praised the dedication of the NHS Scotland staff and building contractors working to establish the NHS Louisa Jordan.

During a visit to the NHS Scotland medical facility at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, the First Minister said their efforts will provide reassurance to people across Scotland and if required, ensure that the NHS has extra capacity to treat patients.

Construction work began on turning the SEC into the NHS Louisa Jordan on Tuesday 31 March. Since then:

23,000 square metres of flooring have been laid
partitions between the beds have been constructed, creating more than 1,000 bed bays
more than 8,000 pieces of medical equipment have been ordered
35,000 metres of network cabling have been laid for the nurse call system
135,000 metres of cabling for lighting and power sockets have been laid
a new bespoke system to ensure oxygen supply to every bed has been put in place with 1,400 medical gas outlets.

The First Minister also urged people across the country to stay at home over the Easter weekend to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The First Minister said: “Everyone involved in establishing the NHS Louisa Jordan deserves our sincere thanks. They are working tirelessly under extremely challenging circumstances to build a unique national facility.

“While I still hope that it will not be needed, the NHS Louisa Jordan will help our NHS to prepare and provide people with reassurance that we have measures in place to help treat people during this pandemic.

“I urge everyone in Scotland to continue to follow the social distancing advice and to stay at home. By following the social distancing measures, they can help to slow the spread of COVID-19, save lives and protect our NHS. If they do this, the NHS Louisa Jordan will not need to open.”

The NHS Louisa Jordan is an NHS Scotland-run medical facility. It will have an initial 300 beds which could expand to hold more than 1,000 patients if required.

Jill Young, former Chief Executive of the Golden Jubilee Hospital at Clydebank, has been appointed Chief Executive of the temporary hospital.

The facility is named after Sister Louisa Jordan, a First World War nurse who died on active service in Serbia in 1915 while providing much-needed care to an area of dire need as part of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Services. Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Louisa Jordan signed up to the war effort in December 1914 while working as a Queen’s nurse in Buckhaven, Fife.

GP practices and pharmacies open for Easter

Extended opening hours to ensure services available

General practices and community pharmacies will remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday to help relieve pressure on out-of-hours services this weekend.

GPs will be open to offer treatment for non-coronavirus (COVID-19) related health issues, where it is safe to do so. Community pharmacies have also been requested to remain open where possible to support the wider efforts of the NHS.

Patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are asked to check nhsinform.scot/coronavirus first for advice or dial NHS 24 on 111, day or night, if their symptoms worsen or do not improve after seven days.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I want to thank all health and social care staff for their continuing extraordinary efforts as we face this pandemic.

“Given ongoing demand on our NHS, I have taken the unusual step of asking GP practices and community pharmacies to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday – but only if it is safe to do so.

“Working with the Scottish GP Committee of BMA Scotland, the Scottish Government has agreed an additional £15 million to help GP practices meet the costs of responding to COVID-19.

“Part of this will help to cover the cost of remaining open on Good Friday and Easter Monday and the remainder will help to meet other costs being faced by practices during this difficult time. I have also been clear that the Scottish Government will meet any additional costs incurred by community pharmacies to remain open on these bank holidays.

“As always – if you have a critical medical emergency, whether related to coronavirus or not, phone 999.”

NHS Inform’s coronavirus webpage is still the fastest way for people to get the latest health advice and information.

Stay at home this Easter

People across Scotland have helped greatly in tackling coronavirus (COVID-19) by observing restrictions, most importantly to stay at home.

Ahead of the Easter weekend, the Scottish Government’s National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has asked people to continue to help, while looking after their physical and mental health.

People should only travel for essential reasons such as buying groceries, healthcare, caring responsibilities or essential work.

And he said people should find ways to stay mentally and physically active by walking, running or cycling outdoors once a day for up to an hour close to home or by exercising indoors.

Professor Leitch said: “The best ways of slowing down the spread of coronavirus is staying at home, social distancing and hand washing so I must thank everyone for all they have been doing so far to keep safe and comply with these stringent measures.

“The social distancing guidance has been tough and has seen us all having to adapt to new ways of keeping in touch with friends and family, which is why now more than every it is important for people to exercise and keep mentally and physically active.

“But we need to use common sense. Please exercise at home and, if you are going out for a daily walk, run or cycle, stay at least two metres away from people you don’t live with.

“Do not be tempted to go for a drive for leisure. This is about going for a short walk locally, a run or a short bike ride, not spending time on your favourite sport or hobby.

“If you travel further afield, there is a risk you might come into contact with other people, whether you plan to or not, so please keep this to an absolute minimum. Only use your car to get somewhere if it is unavoidable and please remember that even in these circumstances journeys must be kept short.”

Douglas Cairns, Transport Scotland Operator Manager, said: “We know this is not how people would want to be spending their Easter break, but it’s vital that we all play our part in these difficult times by following the guidance and keeping any travel to essential journeys only.

“Transport operators have cut back their services to focus on providing support to key workers. The only other reasons you should be travelling are to pick up essential supplies, for healthcare or to carry out caring responsibilities.

“You should only be using your car if really need to. The advice is clear so please don’t go for leisure drives even if the weather is good. We must stay at home to help protect the NHS, our families and save lives.”

Stay at home this Easter to protect the NHS and save lives is also the latest message to the public from the UK government in a new campaign to fight coronavirus.

The campaign has been developed to meet the additional pressures of the long Easter weekend where many people typically spend time with family or friends. New organic and paid-for content will be rolled out across social media, print and outside the home.

The new campaign reinforces the importance of staying at home over Easter, and only leaving your house to buy essentials, to do one form of exercise a day, to travel into work, but only where you cannot work from home, and for any medical or social care need. If you need to leave your home for these reasons, you should be minimising time spent outside of the house and ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside of your household. You should not be visiting friends or family during the long weekend.

A Government spokesperson said: “We understand that people will want to spend time with their friends and families this Easter, and we recognise that we are asking the public to make sacrifices in the fight against this disease.

“Everyone has a role to play in this, and the best way we can protect our loved ones is by staying away this Easter.

“We are at a crucial moment in preventing further transmission of coronavirus, and so it is vital that we continue following the government’s guidance to stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.”

Extra hardship payments for students

A £5 million package of emergency financial support is being put in place to help students facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Extra cash will be available to any university and college students now struggling as a result of COVID-19, including those attending private institutions.

The £5 million includes an additional £2.2 million for Scotland’s Higher Education (HE) Discretionary Fund specifically to address COVID-19-related hardships, which will be available to colleges and universities immediately.

University and college students will be able to apply for any emergency discretionary payments directly to their own institutions.

Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We are ensuring students studying in Scotland should have access to emergency support should they be facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 or the social distancing and isolation measures that have been introduced.

“All bursaries, grants and loans are continuing to be paid as planned but the current unprecedented situation has resulted in increased hardship. That is why we are making extra funding immediately available for students most in need, to help alleviate concerns around accommodation costs, mental health issues, general living costs and wellbeing.

“Institutions will be provided with specific guidance on the discretionary funding related to COVID-19, to explain all relevant details while students can access the latest information on COVID-19 on the Student Information Scotland website.”

Student Information Scotland (SIS) website

An additional £2.2 million will be available immediately through the Higher Education Discretionary Fund, and will supplement £569,000 already issued. The remaining £2 million emergency student funding has been forward by the Scottish Funding Council from Further Education student support budgets for immediate use.

Other details of the emergency package include:

• £100,000 available to support around 1,000 students studying with private providers, administered by Student Awards Agency Scotland and paid directly to affected students.

a three-month suspension by SAAS of all new debt recovery actions in respect to grants and bursaries, for students whose circumstances have changed and therefore may have to return overpayments – expected to benefit around 600 individuals. Where a student is experiencing difficulties SAAS will work with them to agree the best options, with suspension potentially one of the solutions. Some individuals may still wish to continue recovery with a reduced payment plan.• an extension of the Care-Experienced Accommodation Grant from early April allowing eligible students to access support of a non-repayable grant of up to £105 per week – this is eight weeks earlier than usual benefiting around 200 students worth an estimated £200,000.

New funding for veterans

The Scottish Government has pledged £750,000 to support a group of veterans’ charities.

The Unforgotten Forces consortium, which is made up of 16 separate charities, will receive £250,000 each year for the next three years to help with their work.

The consortium, which is led by Poppyscotland and focuses on improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for veterans aged 65 and older, was previously supported by the UK Government.

However, existing funding arrangements are due to cease at the end of June 2020.

Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans Graeme Dey has now agreed to provide the three year funding package to support the consortium.

In addition, he is writing to HM Treasury to request the UK Government makes a substantial contribution to the consortium to enable the continuation of its work.

Mr Dey said: “The work that these charities are doing for Scotland’s community of older veterans is having a remarkable and positive impact. As Minister for Veterans I have great admiration for them.

“In recognition of their efforts, the Scottish Government is providing £750,000 of funding so that they can continue to support our older veterans for a further three years.

“I am also calling on the UK Government to meet their responsibilities to veterans in Scotland by joining with us in providing further substantial funding to the Unforgotten Forces consortium.”

Poppyscotland Chief Executive Mark Bibbey said: “This new commitment from the Scottish Government will go a considerable way to ensuring our older veterans receive the support they desperately need in the years ahead and on behalf of the partner organisations I thank them for this generous award.

“Unforgotten Forces would not have come about without substantial funding from HM Treasury’s Aged Veteran Fund and it is our sincere hope that the ongoing discussions with the UK Government will result in the future of the consortium being secured.”

Student nurses step up to join coronavirus workforce

Thousands offer their skills to support response

More than 2,000 final year nursing and midwifery students have stepped forward to join the NHS Scotland workforce during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has praised the commitment and enthusiasm of those who are taking on frontline roles early, ahead of formally joining the workforce at the end of August.

So far around 12,000 students and returners from health and social care have come forward to offer their skills and expertise during the pandemic.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We are asking a lot of nursing and midwifery students to step up at this unprecedented time when they have already experienced significant disruption as they come to the end of their courses. Their skills and experience will be vital in the coming months as we work to save as many lives as possible.

“Our response to the COVID-19 outbreak is going to require a huge effort across all areas of health and social care. It is still possible for others to offer their support, and if they are willing and able I would encourage them to do so.

“The commitment and enthusiasm of these volunteers, as with all of our NHS workers, deserves recognition and the gratitude of every one of us in Scotland.”

Chief Nursing Officer Fiona McQueen said: “I want to thank each and every student who has volunteered their support so far. The response we have received shows the incredible spirit of our future NHS workforce – your dedication is truly inspirational.”

Extra support for people affected by drug and alcohol use

Extra support for people affected by alcohol and drug use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been announced by the Minister for Public Health Joe FitzPatrick.

Funding of £166,000 from the Scottish Government will support:

• a programme to increase access to naloxone in new settings, including investment in kits to add to the existing outlets for naloxone supply
• increased capacity within the Know the Score helpline and webchat service
• a COVID-19 publicity campaign signposting support for alcohol and drug users during the pandemic
• funding to link people with others in recovery through the Scottish Recovery Consortium

Help will also be available for those affected by another’s alcohol and drug use through the Supporting Families Fund. This includes a discretionary emergency fund for families, online wellbeing activities, family meals, wellbeing packs and counselling support.

Mr FitzPatrick said: “Responding to the coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime and it will disrupt so many lives like never before. Protecting and supporting everyone during these unprecedented times is our priority.

“We’ve worked closely with organisations on the frontline to create this package of measures to ensure we continue to support those affected by alcohol and drug use.

“By working together and observing the latest guidance, we can all play our part in keeping everyone safe.”

Coronavirus crisis: local government unions call for consistency

Scotland’s leading trade unions in local government are calling on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to take urgent action to address the inconsistent approach being taken by local authorities, which could risk lives.

UNISON, Unite and GMB collectively represent over 120,000 workers in local authorities across Scotland, many of whom are on the frontline delivering essential services and providing care to vulnerable groups.

The trade unions have been involved in ongoing discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) on their response to this crisis, but are increasingly concerned that the lack of urgency and consistency is now putting service users and workers at risk that it now requires the First Minister’s direct intervention.

In a letter to the First Minister the trade unions are highlighting a number of key concerns including:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Ongoing concerns regarding the availability and quality of PPE for workers. There are specific issues regarding the availability of PPE for those working with vulnerable users in home care settings and the need for urgent clarification over the self-isolation for workers who have been in close contact with service users confirmed as having the virus.
Testing Workers – There is an urgent need to test frontline workers in accordance with WHO guidance. There appears to be no strategy or consistency currently about when tests will be rolled out and who will be tested.
Social Distancing– Serious concerns continue about the ability of workers to observe social distancing measures at work. There are particular difficulties with workers being told to travel to sites in the same vehicle – in waste and home care services in particular.
Key Workers– The need for greater clarity around who meets the definition of a ‘key worker’ because there are many situations where some workers in some authorities are being deemed ‘key workers’ and others are not.
Waste Collection– The need for a one nation policy on residential waste collection. 32 local authorities are doing different things – some maintaining a full service, others closing all waste and recycling centres.

The Joint Trade Unions state: “UNISON, Unite and GMB have been raising a number of key concerns in relation to the inconsistent and potentially dangerous approach to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic with COSLA.

“We believe that local government workers, and those in the third and private sectors, delivering our essential services must be protected in terms of their health both physical and mental. To date this is not being done anywhere near effectively enough.

“We are on the brink of the peak of the pandemic and still there exist major concerns over the availability, and guidance around the use of, personal protective equipment – particularly in the social and residential care sector – testing of frontline staff, the difficulties in workers being able to observe social distancing at work and the definition of who is a key worker.

“The trade unions appreciate that this is an unprecedented time but the lack of national, consistent, guidance in these areas has the potential to put lives at risk.

“We need a national co-ordinated response – the First Minister needs to lead the effort to ensure that national guidance is both clear and consistently applied by local authorities.”