Ms Sturgeon's cabinet discussed the latest data on Tuesday, but no announcement was made in parliament with Ms Sturgeon attending the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service in London. This document is subject to copyright. Which is actually what we're asking people to do. Requirements to wear surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of omicron activity (December 2021 to September 2022) made no discernible difference to reducing hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark (1518 April). All of Scotland's other legal restrictions have already been lifted. It isstrongly recommended that you wear a FRSM (or your own face covering) when moving around (i.e. compromises clinical care (e.g. Hospitals across Scotland are at 95% capacity, the First Minister warned. In December 2022, the first generic producer of the drug was prequalified by WHO. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association had described the previous delays as "bitterly disappointing", arguing many people were already failing to wear masks so keeping the law in place would make little difference. An estimated 1,700 people are still in hospital but are ready for discharge, she said.To alleviate pressures, Sturgeon said immediate extra funding will be provided to health and social care partnerships to support the booking of additional care home beds for patients to be discharged to while they await an appropriate care package. However, although the final coronavirus restriction in law has lifted, the Scottish Government is still strongly recommending that people continue to wear face coverings where appropriate as Covid-19 continues to spread. There is no plan to formally police compliance. Read about our approach to external linking. Read about our approach to external linking. However our NHS is still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of our society can still benefit from additional measures to protect them from the virus. Revised guidance to reflect removal of guide for care home settings. The Scottish Conservatives had previously criticised the delays in lifting the laws around shops, public transport and other indoor public places. This can be done at home or at a dedicated facility, such as a hospital or clinic. And vaccinated close contacts of someone with Covid should continue to test daily for seven days with lateral flow devices. People without symptoms are no longer required to take the regular tests, but PCR tests will be available to people with symptoms until the end of April. Staff should ensure that anyone who is not able to wear a face covering due to an existing medical condition is not forced to do so or refused treatment. "Our emergency departments are struggling, our hospitals are . . To view this content choose accept and continue. Then in phase two, at week 26 (June 2, 2022 to September 10, 2022) the surgical mask-wearing policy was removed for the majority of wards (study group), while a subset of high-risk wards (i.e., renal hematology and oncology wards, the medical admissions unit and intensive care units) retained the mask obligation policy for staff (control group). The party's public health spokeswoman, Sue Webber, said the confirmation that the restrictions would now be lifted was welcome but should have happened several weeks ago. 2023 BBC. Secondly, in the event that there is transmission within a ward, it is helpful as part of outbreak investigation to understand which controls were in place, including mask wearing. However, with a reduction in the severity of COVID-19 disease, in later variants, the risk-benefit balance of masks has been called into question. When seatedand after appropriate hand hygiene. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Including when receiving direct care or receiving visitors. The latest figures reveal 2,128 hospital patients in Scotland recently tested positive for the virus, compared to a previous peak of 2,053 in last January. Share page. Table 1 outlines the following situations where staff providing direct care to individuals are strongly recommended to wear a face mask at all times throughout their shift. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. SCOTS are no longer legally required to wear face masks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces as the rule moved into guidance on Monday. The evidence considered by the guideline development group showed that people without symptoms are much less likely to transmit the virus than those with symptoms. in longer stay areas, such as secure care mental health settings, as there may be security reasons for patients faces to be seen at all times. But it strongly advised people to continue wearing masks in crowded indoor places and on public transport. Scottish Labour meanwhile has called for more support to be given to hospitals, saying that lives were being put at risk despite the "tireless" work of staff. Sometimes a mask may be provided, which goes over the mouth and nose. Scots are being urged to wear face masks in public indoor spaces in a bid to alleviate pressure on the NHS with hospitals almost at full capacity. Police Scotland confirmed it had received a complaint and said it was being assessed. Sturgeon said extraordinary levels of winter flu and rising Strep A cases were to blame for high hospital occupancy rates, alongside delayed discharges where a patient is ready to leave hospital but cannot because the necessary care package or accommodation is not available. It also means wearing face coverings in school corridors will not be mandatory - but it will be encouraged. To keep our patients and staff safe, NHS Western Isles is requiring all staff, visitors and those attending healthcare appointments at our hospitals and other premises to wear a clinical face mask on entry to the premises. If going into a clinical area, FRSM should be worn. Masks continue to be a key tool against COVID-19. If a patient declines to wear a face mask or is unable to tolerate one, the discussion and refusal to wear a FRSM should be noted in their patient/medical records, each time. People are no longer legally required to wear face masks on public transport and in most indoor public spaces in Scotland as the rule moved into guidance on Monday. phoning the free 24-hour Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000; emailing the team on ActionOnRights@alzscot.org; The following helplines are also available and can provide information on visiting your loved ones in care homes. It is Scotland's final legal Covid-19 requirement to be lifted. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Updated FAQ guidance, title and summary amended to reflect widened guidance. Shadow health secretary Sandesh Gulhane said: Nicola Sturgeon was full of sympathy for let-down patients and warm words for over-stretched staff but there were precious few concrete measures to turn things around. Isolation of people with COVID-19 is an important step in preventing others from being infected. *clinicians/community healthcare managers should apply judgement and consider if other IPC measures, such as hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and ventilation are sufficient depending on the patient/ resident/ clients condition and the care pathway. It is strongly recommended that you wear a FRSM (or face covering if a FRSM cannot be tolerated). Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. There are currently 6 proven treatment options for patients with COVID-19, three that prevent hospitalization in high-risk persons and three that save lives in those with severe or critical disease. However, she stressed that the NHS was still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of society could still benefit from people taking additional measures to protect them from the virus. This is the first medical grade transparent face mask available for use in Scotland. Share. Both ScotRail and the ferry operator CalMac are strongly recommending that passengers continue to wear face coverings. The legal requirement to wear masks . This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Is it more severe? He said staff recruitment was important but retaining current staff was the priority. She said cases in the wave of the Omicron sub-variant affecting Scotland had dropped off quickly in Germany and Netherlands, despite them removing legal mask requirements. This is the first medical grade transparent face mask available for use in Scotland. The lifting of the face masks rule had been delayed twice in Scotland amid record levels of Covid cases and high numbers of people in hospital with the virus. Your cookie preferences have been saved. During the first phase of the study (December 4, 2021 to June 1, 2022), all staff and visitors were required to wear masks in both clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital. Hopefully the masks will be another wee boost for us," she said. But the fact that Nicola Sturgeon barely let him get a word in edge ways suggests she doesnt truly have faith in him either.. Daily science news on research developments and the latest scientific innovations, The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances, The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web. Linda Bauld, Professor of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, has said that with the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units falling, it was "reasonable for the government to be looking ahead". Transmission of the virus recently hit record levels in Scotland, with one in 11 Scots estimated to have the virus in the week ending 20 March. "The thing I want to stress is the advice the public health advice is that for your safety and the safety of others, and so that as a community we can come out of this together, wear a mask in crowded places - very clear, very simple.". "The thing I want to stress is the advice the public health advice is that for your safety and the safety of others, and so that as a community we can come out of this together, wear a mask in crowded places - very clear, very simple.". In total, there are right now more than 1,200 patients with Covid in our hospitals and, for context, that is double the number four weeks ago. Staff can also remove the FRSM if the individual they are supporting/caring for is a person who lip-reads to communicate (if transparent mask is not available/suitable), or if the individual is showing signs of distress. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. corridors, stairways, lifts), and in all clinical areas. "I think we will have a good spring and summer, we will get through this wave and the pressure on the NHS from Covid will lessen," she said. Presentwithin and moving around clinical areas, It is strongly recommendedthat you wear a FRSM at all times throughout your shift. But she said people including shoppers and school pupils who want to continue wearing face masks should be supported. "People are starting to come back in for work, so it's started to pick up again. In the final week of 2022, the ONS estimated that one in every 25 people in Scotland had Covid. Masks in NHS Western Isles hospitals and at healthcare appointments. Individuals should be provided with a new replacement face mask to put on after such activities where removal is required. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. This beggars belief when he has lost the confidence of NHS staff and his flimsy recovery plan has been found desperately wanting. Even when patients are in single rooms, they are strongly encouraged to wear a mask whenever anyone enters their room, i.e. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). "In broader society we have taken away all of the legal measures with the exception of the continued requirement to wear face coverings, and in the health and care sector we want to continue to protect patients and staff from the risks of transmission, but we do recognise that that results in reduced capacity in our hospitals.". To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Speaking on Saturday, she told the PA news agency: "I'm not saying every single person will (continue to wear masks), people will make their own decisions. It supports staff managing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Although the Province's masking requirement for certain indoor settings has expired, the wearing of face masks will continue . But ministers decided to keep the rule on face coverings for an extra few weeks due to a spike in new cases. Patients are also asked to attend appointments alone where possible, unless assistance is required. He said: "We're still cautious as public health advisers because we're still worried about the overwhelmed nature of our health systems around the world - not just here, but Scotland is no exception. Information from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government about the symptoms of coronavirus, how to look after yourself at home, when to get help and reduce the spread . All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except for graphic assets and where otherwise stated, Supporting patients and staff with additional needs, adults with brain injury, head and neck cancer, neurological conditions, elderly patients, including those with dementia, staff and patients that need to communicate with other NHS employees that have communication impairments. All of Scotland's other Covid-19 rules have now been converted into guidance. Public Health Scotland publications. The move had been delayed twice amid record levels of Covid cases and high numbers of people. Is climate change killing Australian wine? While she recognised that most of the capacity problems stem from the SNPs failure to tackle delayed discharge, she refuses to drop her reckless plans for a wasteful, centralised National Care Service. Prof Jason Leitch says he is still worried about the "overwhelmed nature" of the health service. compromises clinical care (e.g. eat and drink. Heres what you need to know. April 28, 2023 | 10:26 AM. Read about our approach to external linking. Staff are encouraged to engage in a discussion with patients as early as possible in the admission process to promote the importance of using face masks and adhering to other COVID-19 control measures. There is not enough evidence to suggest medical-grade face masks protect vulnerable people from Covid, health officials have admitted. I also want to acknowledge, because I think it is important that we do so, that the NHS was under pressure before Covid struck us. "This is a disease that still kills peoples so caution is still required. "What I have observed in England is a number of businesses, including supermarkets, that are very strongly advising (the wearing of face masks) and I expect that to continue here.". Clearing NHS backlog will take years, doctor warns, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. They are still very good for people who are lower risk - they stop them shedding a lot of virus into the environment. Data shows the situation has generally improved but Covid has not gone away with over 5,000 cases a day still being recorded in Scotland. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. People in Scotland are no longer legally required to wear face coverings in crowded indoor places like shops and restaurants, or on public transport. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection a cold, flu or Covid should stay at home if possible and wear a face covering if they do need to go out. Scotland's national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, said coronavirus was now being dealt with through common sense and guidance, rather than law. The material has been peer reviewed by the congress selection committee. However, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as part of their inspections process in hospitals, will observe compliance of this guidance. These changes will barely scratch the surface of this deadly crisis and fail to grapple with the major structural problems clinicians are raising. The legal requirement to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces and on public transport will become guidance next week. She said she understood the concerns and anxieties of clinicians and staff working in the NHS, after the British Medical Association (BMA) claimed that real harm was coming to patients and staff as a result of an unprecedented crisis. This article contains content provided by Twitter. For patients with symptoms, the new guidelines suggest 10 days of isolation from the date of symptom onset. Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday promised not to delay the lifting of the mask law in Scotland Credit: Mark Runnacles Scots will not be legally obliged to wear face masks for the first time in. BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, video showing Nicola Sturgeon not wearing a face mask, 'The heart of our family': The lives lost to Covid, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, US principal visits David sculpture after nudity row, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, Cuba cancels May Day parade because of fuel crisis. Is it more severe? European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Guidance sections updated to reflect the Scottish Winter (21/22) Respiratory Infections in Health and Care Settings Addendum publication. ", Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, video showing Nicola Sturgeon not wearing a face mask, 'The heart of our family': The lives lost to Covid, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer. These masks have been approved for the use of staff and patients: This list is not exhaustive, and it will be for boards to judge who should have access to transparent face masks. The move brings Scotland into line with the rest of the UK. Both ScotRail and the ferry operator CalMac are strongly recommending that passengers continue to wear face coverings. Contact and location information for all NHSWI hospitals, clinics, offices and GP practices. Your feedback helps us to improve this website. He acknowledged the daily case rate remained high but he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that vaccination and therapeutics had "changed the game". We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing Wherever possible, maintain two-metre distancing if FRSM removed. WHO also reviewed the evidence on two other medicines, sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, and maintains strong recommendations against their use for treating COVID-19. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Sturgeon was speaking at a briefing alongside health secretary Humza Yousaf and the deputy chief medical officer Graham Ellis. "For people who are more vulnerable it is probably the moment to increase to an FFP3 mask just until the pressure in the environment from so many people infected actually decreases.". To address this issue, a transparent face mask has been developed which features a clear anti-fog front panel, which has been positioned to prevent reflection and make lip reading easier, and which can be worn to protect staff in healthcare settings where a Type IIR FRSMs would be worn. They should be encouraged to put on a new face mask after a reasonable period of respite time. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Here are the current rules around face masks for people in Scotland. "The surgical and cotton masks just allow for a little more of the virus to get through. Dr Lewis Morrison, chairman of the British Medical Association Scotland, said the NHS was still struggling to deliver services because of pressure on resources - particularly staff shortages caused by Covid. Anyone medically exempt from wearing a mask must present a Scottish Government Exemption Card other forms of exemption card will not be accepted. Replaced CNO letter with updated version. However, the Scottish government and health experts are still strongly advising people to continue to wear masks voluntarily. In Scotland home oxygen can only be prescribed by an authorised prescriber from the hospital. Cases in Scotland's hospitals have also been rising, with 2.344 patients . Masks are no longer required. Copyright 2007-2023 STV. This article has been reviewed according to ScienceX's 2023 BBC. This means you will no longer be breaking the law for not wearing a covering in public places, including. You may want to read Twitters cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. I think it's premature. Meanwhile, people without symptoms of the virus are no longer being asked to take regular lateral flow tests as of April 18 as part of changes to the test and protect system. The face covering laws had originally been due to be removed on 21 March, with the first minister initially deciding to delay the move until 4 April - before subsequently announcing a further two-week delay. Please register or log in to comment on this article. It is strongly recommended that you wear a FRSM, (or face covering if a FRSM cannot be tolerated). Prof Jason Leitch says he is still worried about the "overwhelmed nature" of the health service. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. During the pandemic, many people have been waiting before approaching the health service with their illness. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. However, the Scottish government and health. Those eligible for an exemption card can obtain the card by visitingwww.exempt.scotor via the free helpline at 0800 121 6240. ", Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. 2023 NHS Western Isles. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. "That's why we need to keep up a threshold of testing in Scotland and around the world - the PCR testing that we can genomically sequence to find those variants.". And the Scottish Chambers of Commerce warned that the "prolonging of Covid-19 rules" might make Scotland a less attractive tourist destination. She advised more vulnerable peple to "evaluate your personal risk" when going to high risk areas where there are lots of people and little ventilation. Which is actually what we're asking people to do. "I think we will have a good spring and summer, we will get through this wave and the pressure on the NHS from Covid will lessen," she said. However, the country's remaining restrictions have continued to be phased out, with ministers pointing to the low number of people in intensive care - currently sitting at 20 - as evidence that vaccines are helping prevent severe illness. What date will Scottish face mask rules end? In the U.K. National Health Service (NHS), a mask mandate for staff was introduced in June 2020, specifying the use of type IIR, fluid-resistant surgical face masks by all staff and visitors. This should be decided on an individual case-by-case basis. A party spokesman said: "Within a few seconds, she realised she hadn't put her mask back on and immediately put it on.". Read about our approach to external linking. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. Similar to previous recommendations, WHO advises that there are other instances when a mask may be suggested, based on a risk assessment. Free lateral flow kits will no longer be available for the general population - although they will still be provided for clinical care, for health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals. Aworkforce risk assessmentshould be undertaken. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Although of very low certainty, evidence also showed that people discharged at day 5 following symptom onset risked infecting three times more people than those discharged at day 10. WHO has extended its strong recommendation for the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (also known by its brand name Paxlovid). The increased use of face masks has resulted in additional challenges to individuals who are deaf or rely on lip-reading, as well as others with different communication needs. The SNP said the First Minister was invited into the barbers during an outdoor visit on the street. The tests will continue to be free for any purpose for which testing continues to be advised - for clinical care, health and social care workers and for people visiting vulnerable individuals in care homes or hospitals. Unless it cannot be tolerated/ patient is exempt. People with symptoms will still need to isolate and get a PCR test until the end of April. Sturgeon said: I can confirm that we will be providing immediate extra funding to health and social care partnerships to support the booking of additional care home beds for patients to be discharged to while their care packages are being finalised. Ms Sturgeon said the country had made steady progress towards a greater sense of normality and a more sustainable way of managing the virus. The opposition Conservatives have urged the government to "trust the public" and bring legal requirements to an end. Masks are recommended following a recent exposure to COVID-19, when . experience. Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, a leading infections expert at University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland masks should still be worn in high risk environments such as public transport and healthcare settings but legal enforcement should be dropped. Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. However, the Scottish government and health. Before the weekend, coronavirus hospital cases in Scotland were still at more than 2,000. The NHS mask mandate remained in place in clinical areas in hospitals until June 2022after which decisions about mask policy were entrusted to individual hospitals. part may be reproduced without the written permission. Scottish Government Publication Scheme Documents, Sight Action Western Isles Sensory Centre. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. About one in 17 people in Scotland had the virus in week ending 9 April - down from one in 13 the previous week, according to the Office for National Statistics. Scotland's remaining legal requirements to wear face masks have been lifted today. Except for corticosteroids, access to other drugs remains unsatisfactory globally. It also means wearing face coverings in school corridors will not be mandatory - but it will be encouraged. The testing regime has also changed, with free lateral flow tests no longer available to the general population. experience. "This was frustrating for many people and damaging for businesses.". Factors to consider include the local epidemiological trends or rising hospitalization levels, levels of vaccination coverage and immunity in the community, and the setting people find themselves in.