Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

COVID forces suspension of procedures and services

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By

A CONTINUING increase in coronavirus cases has seen Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership make difficult decisions to suspend or alter a range of routine services. 

The significant rise in new COVID-19 related admissions to DGRI has prompted moves aimed at creating capacity to deal with the rising demand for health and social care provision – which is now greater than at any point during the first wave of the pandemic.  

The decision has been taken to suspend some non-urgent, non-cancer elective or planned procedures. 

Meanwhile, some community social care services are being suspended, reflecting the dangers posed by a strikingly high rate of the new, highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant which is fuelling the local outbreaks. 

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Julie White said: “Decisions to suspend services are never taken lightly, and we have held off as long as it was safely judged to do so before implementing these actions. 

“To be very clear in respect of planned healthcare procedures, this is not a complete suspension. Our goal is to preserve our ability to undertake procedures deemed urgent by our clinical teams and to ensure that patients with cancer continue to receive timely treatment and support.   

“Where possible, however, we are halting non-urgent clinical appointments for outpatients, day surgery and theatres in order to ensure we have the capacity to provide immediate help to those in most need.   

“Patients can be assured that our clinical teams will assess our referrals to ensure that those most in need of urgent care are prioritised.  We will keep these measures under review and will aim to get routine work back up and running as soon as is safe to do so. 

“Although our hospitals are facing pressures around capacity, we are managing this situation – with contingency plans in place to increase capacity as required.” 

Changes are also being implemented which affect GP practices in the region, with many practices focusing again on the provision of urgent care and support to their local patients.  

Again this decision has been made in order that GP teams can support the assessment of patients with suspected COVID-19 in their local communities, although this will be undertaken virtually in most cases. This move will also enable GPs to focus on those patients with other urgent needs and conditions within their local communities, ensuring that admissions to hospital are avoided wherever possible and safe to do so.   

Given the increasing levels of infection across the region, the Health and Social Care Partnership has also taken the decision that all adult respite units, adult day services and Activity and Resource Centres should only provide services to those in critical need at this time. 

Additionally, given the specific concerns in the west of the region in terms of particularly high COVID infection levels, a decision has been made to suspend the ARCs in both Stranraer and Newton Stewart. 

Currently, the advice being promoted by the Scottish Government is that the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to protect ourselves and communities is to stay at home as much as possible. 

Julie White said: “While none of this is what we would want, given all the work that’s been undertaken over many months to safely restore our services following the response to the first wave of COVID, these outcomes are the result of carefully considered decisions aimed firstly at reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and secondly at ensuring that our staffing resource is utilised to support those most in need. 

“Changes are also being implemented in the provision of Care at Home services within the Partnership. Our first consideration will continue to be for the wellbeing and safety of the individuals who receive our care at home services. Currently, however, due to pressures created by the pandemic, we are severely limited in the availability of care to meet needs across the region. We will therefore be working with our care providers, service users and their families to ensure that we provide a safe level of care for individuals whilst asking for flexibility in order for us to facilitate discharges from hospital.   

“The first round of vaccinations have now been completed in each of the region’s 31 older adult care homes. We will continue to work with our local care home providers to optimise the use of these facilities to help meet people’s needs just now on both a permanent and short term basis to respond to the crisis.   

“We very much hope to be able to restore all of our suspended services as soon as the situation allows, and ask everyone, individually, to play their part in helping to speed up that prospect by adhering to the national guidance around COVID – with the message of stay home, save lives.” 

Staff involved in delivery of these services will be contacting people individually to advise them of these developments, and to discuss how people can continue to be supported during this difficult time. 

ADP Advice for the Festive Season

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By

As we approach the festive period and additional COVID-19 restriction in 2021, drug and alcohol users in Dumfries and Galloway are being urged to keep taking the simple steps to protect themselves. These simple steps include:

  • FACTS (Face covering, Avoid crowds, Clean hands, Two metre social distance, Self-isolate & book test if you have symptoms)
  •  Continue to contact GP or treatment services for ongoing or any new medical conditions
  • Don’t be tempted to share any medication with anyone else or use anyone else’s medication
  • Don’t try any new substances, change how you take them, mix them or take them alone as all of these are risky
  • Don’t be tempted to reduce or increase the amounts of drugs or alcohol you are taking
  • Difficulties in maintaining healthy social & family connections and this may jeopardise people’s recovery and may lead to relapse for some drug and alcohol users
  • Make sure you have a take home Naloxone kit
  • · If you think someone is having an overdose, dial 999 immediately. When someone has overdosed, they can look and sound like they are simply asleep. Always check when you hear snoring that the person is actually asleep.

Friend and family can also help by simply being aware of the challenges drug and alcohol users face and by discussing these with them. Wherever possible, people should be encouraged to seek help either from their GP or from local drug and alcohol treatment services detailed below. Further information on other websites and organisation that can help, along with other more detailed guidance can be found on the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership website at https://dghscp.co.uk/alcohol-drugs-partnership-adp/

Contact Details

NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service

The NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service in Dumfries and Galloway provides comprehensive service to people over age 18 years and over who have a dependency or complex problems related to alcohol or drug use.

01387 244555

We Are With You

The We Are With You service in Dumfries and Galloway provides support to anyone over the age of 18 with drug and/or alcohol addiction issues.

01387 263208

ISSU18

ISSU18 is a regionwide service for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are affected by problematic substance misuse, this can be either their own or that of a family member, which is having a significant impact on the young person’s day to day life.

01387 244622

Alcohol and Drugs Support South West Scotland

Alcohol and Drugs Support South West Scotland offers a range of community-based services across Dumfries and Galloway, helping people affected by alcohol, drugs or gambling problems.

01556 503550

Consultation – Strategic Commissioning Plan 2021-24

Leave a Comment / news / By

Work is underway to develop the next Strategic Commissioning Plan which will shape health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway for the next three years.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board has initiated work on the new document – building on the 2016/19 plan which provided direction for a broader 10-year direction of travel.

Julie White is Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and she said: “We’re encouraging everyone within the region to have a voice in shaping the Strategic Commissioning Intentions for health and social care for the next three years.

“This may sound technical, but really it’s about telling us what is most important in terms of health services and adult social care services within our region, and informing our strategic priorities over coming months.

“This covers everything from hospitals to GP practices, care homes to care at home services and day centres. It’s a massive area of work, but it’s crucial that we know that our approach is aligned with the insights and views provided by the people who access and benefit from these services.”

This plan will affect everyone who accesses, may need to access or provides health and social care and support in Dumfries and Galloway. It impacts and involves third, independent and statutory sector services.

This plan will include where resources are prioritised and will affect future service delivery.

It is important that people who use and deliver health, care and support are involved in developing the plan to ensure it meets their needs. A process that offers people the opportunity to engage and share their experience and views will take place over the next few months.

Julie White said: “COVID-19 makes this a more difficult and complicated process of engagement, but work across health and social care continues to evolve in spite of the coronavirus and we need to ensure that we have a strategic plan in place for the years to come.

“I would urge everyone to ensure their voice is heard in this, and to play an active role in shaping health and social care services so that they’re best placed to meet the needs of our population for years to come.”

People can get involved by reading the consultation document Draft Strategic Commissioning Plan Consultation and answering the questions through Smart Survey, email, post or by telephone.

Due to COVID-19 precautions hard copies of the consultation document are only available on request and all presentations and workshops will be done online over MSTeams.

Due to COVID-19 precautions hard copies of the consultation document are only available on request and all presentations and workshops will be done online over MSTeams.

Presentations and workshops are available on the dates shown here

2 – 4pm 06/01/21

10 – 11am 08/01/21

10 – 11am 11/01/21

2 – 3 pm 12/01/21

Further dates can be arranged for you/your organisation by contacting us.

If you would like some help understanding the information contained in the consultation document or you need it in another format or language, please contact Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership by email dg.spcp@nhs.scot; post to  Strategic Planning and Commissioning, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, 2nd Floor, South Wing, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, DG1 4AP; or call 01387 272 734

The closing date for comments on this phase of the process is 17 January 2021.

Draft Strategic Commissioning Plan Consultation Document

20201214 Easy Read Final

 

COVID awareness promoted by Alcohol and Drug Partnership

Leave a Comment / news / By

COVID-19 has presented unique healthcare challenges – but represents a very real challenge to vulnerable groups such as those who have drug and alcohol problems.  

It is estimated that over half of the 60,000 or so people with drug problems in Scotland are over the age of 35 and have multiple co-morbidities, including COPD, making them a vulnerable high-risk group in relation to COVID-19. At the same time, the challenges of lockdown, constraints around face-to-face service delivery as well as social isolation can greatly increase the risk of disengagement from service, relapse, overdose or drug-related death. 

Speaking ahead of International Drug Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday August 31, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) Grahame Clarke said: “People with drug and alcohol problems are among the most vulnerable members of our communities, and among those vulnerable to the effects not just of the coronavirus itself but also the resulting response, including lockdown and the contraction of services.

“As such, it is vitally important that front line staff in contact with people who have drug or alcohol issues or who are providing a service to them understand the impact the pandemic might have on the individual and know where help can be obtained – either from within their own organisation or from other services.  

“With this in mind Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) has been running an awareness campaign aimed at the staff and the volunteers who work within Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership. The campaign has highlighted the challenges faced by those with drug and alcohol problems and provided information on how these individuals can be supported on their recovery journey, reducing the risk of harm to them.”

The campaign has featured four key themes which the Drug and Alcohol Partnership feel should also be understood by anyone who knows someone with a drug or alcohol issue during the COVID period.

Mr Clarke said: “COVID has a huge challenge on all of us, but it poses a particular challenge to vulnerable people – including those with drug and alcohol problems.

“Our work recently has been about engaging with those people in health and social care whose work brings them into contact with these vulnerable people and making them aware of what a challenge it is to them, and what they can do to help them overcome these challenges.

“There is no reason why people with drug and alcohol problems cannot continue to access their GP practice, or consult with a specialist drug or alcohol service, as many will have issues and ailments which need to be tended to, and these can continue to be addressed. They shouldn’t be put off or think COVID is more important.

“It’s about encouraging people with alcohol and drug problems not to change their behaviours – don’t try new things, don’t change the amount that you take, don’t take it in new way, don’t try new drugs and don’t mix drugs. These are some of the dangers which exist.

“Isolation as a result of COVID can have a particular impact on people with alcohol and drug difficulties, with less face-to-face contact and less social support. This can have an impact on mental health and how they deal with isolation, and all of that can build and have quite a profound effect on them, and their use of drugs and alcohol.

“In these situations it’s about having discussions, it’s about making them aware of the services which can help them and encouraging them to contact those services and seek help early get as much help as they possibly can.”

A full list of contact details for services within the region which can provide support are available on the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership website https://dghscp.co.uk/alcohol-drugs-partnership-adp/

Grahame said: “My plea is if you have any concern about anyone you know then please do pick up the phone to us or the services, or encourage them to get in touch, because it’s vitally important that we support this vulnerable group at this very challenging time.”

How to access GP services during COVID-19

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of health and social care, including how we access services delivered through GP practices.

Please watch this short animated film about arrangements in Dumfries and Galloway, and how you can access help from your practice, with accompanying translations below in multiple languages…

 

Koronawirus (COVID-19) zmienił sposób, w jaki wiele usług zdrowotnych jest świadczonych.
Nie wszystkie przychodnie lekarza ogólnego pracują w ten sam sposób, ale jeśli pacjenci muszą skontaktować się ze swoją przychodnią, z jakichkolwiek powodów, istnieje kilka ogólnych sposobów, aby uzyskać dostęp do usług.
W wielu przypadkach najlepiej skontaktować się ze swoją przychodnią telefonicznie. Personel będzie w stanie odebrać telefon, odpowiedzieć na pytania oraz udzielić informacji. Wszystkie podane informacje są poufne. W przypadku problemów ze zdrowiem pacjent uzyska pomoc w ich rozwiązaniu.
Oprócz kontaktu telefonicznego niektóre przychodnie oferują obecnie system eConsult. Oznacza to, że pacjenci będą mogli wysłać do nich e-maila, w którym opiszą swój problem. Wiadomość e-mail zostanie przetworzona przez ten system i szybko rozpatrzona.
Przychodnie medyczne zmieniały i rozwijały się już przed COVID-19, oferując usługi wielu profesjonalistów. Dzięki temu, że istnieją farmaceuci, pielęgniarki wyspecjalizowane w zdrowiu psychicznym oraz profesjonaliści o wyższym wykształceniu, lekarz ogólny może nie być najlepszym źródłem kontaktu w celu uzyskania pomocy w rozwiązaniu danego problemu.
Jeśli pacjent musi porozmawiać lub zobaczyć się z jednym z tych profesjonalistów, istnieje na to kilka sposobów.
Wizyta może odbyć się przez telefon. Będzie można wtedy porozmawiać na temat swojego problemu i uzyskać pomoc w jego rozwiązaniu.
Można także skorzystać z bezpiecznego połączenia wideo poprzez system o nazwie NHS Near Me. Już od pewnego czasu można było korzystać z tego systemu, jednak obecnie działa on na większą skalę. Jest to bezpieczny, wygodny i łatwy sposób na zobaczenie się z lekarzem, bez konieczności wychodzenia z domu. Można to zrobić, korzystając z komputera stacjonarnego, laptopa, tabletu lub telefonu. System NHS Near Me nie jest wskazany dla wszystkich. Jego celem nie jest zastąpienie innych usług. Jest to kolejny bezpieczny sposób na rozmowę z lekarzem.

新冠病毒 COVID-19 讓很多衛生醫療服務的運作方式發生了改變。
並不是所有全科醫生診所都採用相同的工作方式，但是如果您因為任何原因需要聯絡診所，有一些常用的方式可供您獲取服務。
大部分情況下最好的方式是透過電話聯絡診所。將有工作人員接聽您的電話、回答問題並提供資訊，所有這些過程均完全保密。如果您有醫療問題，他們可幫您以最佳方式解決問題。
除了來電以外，有些診所現在採用了一種名為 eConsult 的系統，可供人們透過發送電郵來諮詢問題。收到電郵後，系統會對郵件進行評估並迅速進行處理。
在 COVID-19 來襲之前，醫療實踐就一直在不斷變化和演進，有各個領域的專業人士能夠提供幫助。藥劑師、心理健康護士和高級執業人員的加入意味著全科醫生並不一定是可幫助您解決問題的最佳選擇。
如果您需要與其中一位醫療專業人士交談或獲得其診治，現在有多種選擇。
可以通過電話預約，您可以在通話時與專業人士討論您的問題，他們可以提供幫助。
另一種選擇是使用 NHS Near Me 系統進行安全的視訊通話。該系統已使用了一段時間，但現在正在更大範圍推廣。它提供了一種安全、便捷和輕鬆的方式與醫療專業人士面對面交流，您可以使用 PC、筆記型電腦、平板電腦或電話在家中舒適地進行交流。NHS Near Me 並不適合所有人，也不能替代任何服務，而是提供了另一種安全的方式與醫療專業人士交談。
由於存在 COVID-19 傳播的風險，現在對全科醫生診所的訪問受到頗多限制，但是許多人仍然需要親自前往全科醫生診所團隊就診，每個診所中都已採取適當措施，確保就診過程盡可能的安全和輕鬆。

冠状病毒 COVID-19 改变了众多医疗保健服务地点的运作方式。
并非所有 GP 诊所都以完全相同的方式运作，但是如果您出于任何原因需要联系他们，仍可以通过多种常用方式获得服务。
大多数情况下，与您的诊所联系的最佳方式是打电话。会有工作人员负责接听您的电话、解答您的问题并为您提供所需信息，您的来电信息以及所有通话内容都将被完全保密。如果您有医疗方面的问题，他们将帮助指明以最佳方式解决问题的方向。
除了接受电话问询外，一些诊所现在还采用了一个名为 eConsult 的系统，人们可以通过此系统发送包含自己的问题的电子邮件。电子邮件被接收后，会在整个系统中进行分派，以便快速得到处理。
早在 COVID-19 开始传播之前，医疗诊所就一直在经历着变革和发展，一系列专业人员都可以提供帮助。药剂师、心理健康护士和高级从业人员的加入意味着 GP 可能并不总是可以帮助解决您的问题的最佳人选。
如果您需要向上述任一医疗专业人员进行咨询或预约看诊，现在可以有多种选择。
可以通过电话进行预约，预约过程中，您可以向专业人员谈及您的问题，他们可以提供帮助。
另一种选择是使用 NHS Near Me 系统进行安全的视频通话。该系统启用至今已有一段时间了，只是现在正日益普及。它提供了一种安全且便捷的问诊方式，让您可以通过 PC、笔记本电脑、平板电脑或电话，足不出户地与医疗专业人员进行“面对面”交流。NHS Near Me 并不会适用于所有人，也不是为了要取代任何服务地点，它只是提供了另外一种安全的与医疗专业人员交流的方式。
鉴于 COVID-19 传播所带来的风险，现在到访 GP 诊所受到更多限制；但还是有很多人需要亲自拜访一个 GP 诊所团队进行就诊，每个诊所都已为此做好相应安排，以确保就诊过程尽可能安全且方便。

Koronavirüs COVID-19 birçok sağlık hizmetinin sunulma biçimini değiştirdi.
Pratisyen hekimlik hizmetlerinin tamamı aynı şekilde yürütülmüyor fakat herhangi bir sebeple iletişime geçmeniz gerektiğinde hizmetlere ulaşmanın çeşitli yolları mevcuttur.
Çoğu durumda alacağınız hizmete ulaşmanın en iyi yöntemi telefonla iletişim kurmaktır. Telefonu açacak, sorularınızı yanıtlayacak ve size bilgi verecek personel mevcut ve tüm bu iletişim tam gizlilik içinde yürütülüyor. Tıbbi bir sorununuz olduğunda personel sizi en iyi şekilde yönlendirecektir.
Bazı tıp merkezleri artık telefon üzerinden iletişimin yanı sıra insanların sorunlarını e-postayla iletebildikleri eConsult sistemini de kullanmaya başladı. Alınan e-posta bu sistemde değerlendiriliyor ve en kısa zamanda konuyla ilgileniliyor.
Tıbbi uygulamalar, yardım sunabilen çeşitli uzmanlarla birlikte daha COVID-19’dan önce değişip dönüşmeye başlamıştı. Eczacılar, psikiyatri hemşireleri ve uzman hekimler de değerlendirmeye katıldığında, bir pratisyen hekim her zaman sorununuzda size yardımcı olabilecek en uygun kişi olmayabilir.
Bu tıp uzmanlarından biriyle konuşmanız ya da görüşmeniz gerekiyorsa artık çeşitli seçeneklere sahipsiniz.
Randevu telefon üzerinden gerçekleştirilebilir ve uzmana telefonda sorununuzu anlatıp ondan yardım alabilirsiniz.
Bir diğer seçenek de NHS Near Me sistemini kullanarak güvenli bir görüntülü arama yapmaktır. Bu sistem bir süredir kullanılmaktaydı ancak şimdi daha yaygın hale getiriliyor. Sistem, bir masaüstü ya da dizüstü bilgisayar, tablet veya telefon kullanarak çoğunlukla evinizin rahatlığında bir tıp uzmanıyla yüz yüze görüşmenin güvenli, rahat ve kolay bir yolunu sunuyor. NHS Near Me herkes için uygun olmayacaktır ve herhangi bir tıbbi hizmetin yerini alma amacını taşımamaktadır fakat bir tıp uzmanıyla konuşmanın başka bir güvenli yolunu sunmaktadır.
Pratisyen hekimleri görme imkanı COVID-19 bulaşma riski nedeniyle artık daha sınırlı fakat halen birçok kişinin ekip içinden bir pratisyen hekimi bizzat görmesi

غيّر فيروس كورونا ومرض كوفيد-19 الذي ينتج عنه، طريقة تقديم الكثير من الخدمات الصحية:
فلا تعمل جميع العيادات الطبية غير المتخصصة بنفس الطريقة التي اعتدنا عليها، ولكن إذا احتجت إلى الاتصال بنا لأي سبب كان، فهناك عدد من الطرق التي يمكنك استخدامها للحصول على الخدمات الصحية.
وأفضل طريقة هي الاتصال بالهاتف؛ وسوف يرد فريق العمل على مكالمتك ويُجيب عن أسئلتك ويوفر المعلومات اللازمة لحالتك بسرية تامة. وإذا كانت لديك مشكلة طبية، فسوف يُساعدك على التعامل معها بأفضل طريقة ممكنة.
إضافة إلى الاتصال الهاتفي، تدعم بعض العيادات الآن نظامًا يُعرف باسم eConsult (الاستشارة الإلكترونية)، الذي يسمح للمرضى بإرسال مشكلاتهم بالبريد الإلكتروني. يقيّم النظام الرسالة الإلكترونية عند وصولها ويتعامل معها بسرعة.
شهدت الممارسات الطبية تغيرًا وتطورًا مستمرين قبل بدء انتشار كوفيد-19 بفضل باقة من الخبراء المستعدين دائمًا لتقديم يد العون. ويعني وجود الصيادلة وتمريض الصحة النفسية وممارسي الرعاية الصحية المتخصصين أن الممارس العام قد لا يكون دائمًا أفضل شخص لمساعدتك في مشكلتك.
إذا كنت ترغب في الحديث مع أحد اختصاصي الرعاية الصحية أو ترغب في الخضوع لفحص، فهناك مجموعة متنوعة من الخيارات المتاحة حاليًا.
يمكنك تحديد موعد عن طريق الهاتف للحديث مع الاختصاصي بخصوص مشكلتك وتقديم المساعدة لك.
ومن الخيارات المتاحة الأخرى: مكالمة فيديو آمنة باستخدام نظام NHS Near Me. لقد كان هذا النظام مستخدمًا لبعض الوقت، ولكنه أصبح أكثر انتشارًا الآن؛ لأنه يوفر وسيلة آمنة مريحة وسهلة لاستشارة اختصاصي الرعاية الصحية وجهًا لوجه، وأنت مرتاح في منزلك باستخدام الكمبيوتر الشخصي أو الكمبيوتر المحمول أو الجهاز اللوحي (تابلت) أو الهاتف. ولن تكون خدمة NHS Near Me مناسبة للجميع، كما أنها ليست بديلاً عن أي خدمة، ولكنها تقدم طريقة أخرى آمنة لاستشارة اختصاصيي الرعاية الطبية.
أصبحت زيارات العيادات الطبية غير المتخصصة محدودة الآن نظرًا لمخاطر مخالطة المصابين بكوفيد-19، ولكن ما زال هناك الكثيرون ممن هم في حاجة إلى زيارة العيادة والمتابعة مع الطبيب شخصيًا، وقد وُضعت ترتيبات في كل عيادة لضمان حدوث ذلك بأكبر قدر ممكن من الأمان والسهولة.
إذا كانت لديكم أي أسئلة بخصوص الاستفادة من الخدمات الطبية غير المتخصصة في هذا الوقت، فيُرجى الاتصال هاتفيًا بالعيادة المحلية. يُمكنكم الاطلاع على تفاصيل التواصل على الموقع الإلكتروني: www.nhsdg.co.uk تحت العنوان “Find services near me” (العثور على خدمات بالقرب مني”.

Extension of self-isolation to ten days

Leave a Comment / news / By

ANYONE in Scotland diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms will now have to self-isolate for ten days – an increase from seven.

The announcement has been made by UK’s four Chief Medical Officers, noting evidence that people with COVID-19 have a ‘low but real possibility’ of infectiousness between seven and nine days after the onset of the illness.

Reacting to the development, NHS Dumfries and Galloway Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Nigel Calvert said: “Self-isolation plays such an important role in helping to stop the spread of coronavirus, and we’ve seen this first-hand within Dumfries and Galloway,

“We’re so grateful that people do self-isolate, and with this extension from seven days to ten days it’s important we remember that this move is to ensure the full effectiveness of this action, and that self-isolation is an act which protects our friends, our neighbours and our wider communities.”

Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Dr Gregor Smith is a co-signatory on the statement issued today by all four of the UK’s chief medical officers which has introduced and explained the extension of the self-isolation period.

Explaining the 10 day self-isolation period applies for those people who have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result, the statement said: “In symptomatic people, COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.

“Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days after illness onset.

“We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.

“This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.”

Other signatories to the letter are Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride and Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton.

COVID-19 is highly transmissible, and no one should be blamed for contracting the virus.

Anyone who does experience any of the symptoms (a cold or flu like illness – including a new cough, high temperature, or loss of smell) should self-isolate and book a test through our mobile testing unit which carries out testing daily across the region.

Tests can be booked by visiting the website www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/ Testing date and locations can be found at the end of this message.

Friday 31st July

MTU1

Langholm – Kilngreen Car Park.

DG13 0JN            

MTU2

Thornhill – Community Centre,

East Back Street. DG3 5LH

Saturday 1st August       

MTU1

Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,

Hoods Loaning, DG1 2HT              

MTU2

Stranraer – Ashwood House.

DG9 7JJ

Sunday 2nd August        

MTU1

Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,

Hoods Loaning, DG1 2HT              

MTU2

Annan – Swimming Pool,

St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ 

Monday 3rd August       

MTU1

Stranraer – Ashwood House.

DG9 7JJ

MTU2

Moffat – Station Park Car Park,

Beattock Road (A701), Moffat. 

Tuesday 4th August       

MTU1

Annan – Swimming Pool,

St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ

MTU2 – morning

Dalbeattie (location to be confirmed)

MTU3 – afternoon

Castle Douglas – Market St Car Park.

DG7 1AE

Wednesday 5th August

MTU1

Thornhill – Community Centre,

East Back Street. DG3 5LH           

MTU2

Stranraer – Ashwood House.

DG9 7JJ

Thursday 6th August     

MTU1 – morning

Newton Stewart – Douglas Ewart High School,

Corsbie Rd. DG8 6JQ

MTU2   

Annan – Swimming Pool,

St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ 

MTU3 – afternoon

Kirkcudbright – (location to be confirmed)

Friday 7th August            

MTU1

Moffat – Station Park Car Park,

Beattock Road (A701), Moffat.

MTU2

Sanquhar  – Fun Pool,

Blackaddie Road. DG4 6DB          

Saturday 8th August

MTU1

Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,

Hoods Loaning. DG1 2HT              

MTU2

Dalry – (location to be confirmed)            

Sunday 9th August                         

MTU1

Lockerbie – McJerrow Car Park,

High Street. DG11 2BJ

In Dumfries and Galloway, the following groups of staff with symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to be tested through one of the NHS testing facilities. This can be organised through Occupational Health (01387 244626) or, for any non-NHS or non-Council staff, through line managers.

  • NHS staff, including independent contractors such as GPs, dentists, optometrists and community pharmacists
  • Social care staff, including care home and care-at-home staff
  • Emergency services, including police, fire and rescue, ambulance, and prison service staff
  • Dumfries and Galloway Council employees

Special thanks to Armed Forces

Leave a Comment / news / By

A special message of thanks is expressed during Armed Forces Week for the contributions made by all personnel.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership would particularly like to recognise the support which has been provided during the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

Military personnel have been providing ongoing assistance around the planned response to the coronavirus, and staff continue to operate the mobile testing unit which provides daily testing moving around locations right across the region.

Valerie White is Interim Director of Public Health and NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Armed Forces Champion, and she said: “The Armed Forces have played an important role locally by operating the mobile COVID-19 testing centres across the region and this is an example of the professionalism and quick response we can expect from the Armed Forces in supporting local communities when needed.”

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is one organisation which has made a commitment to support the Armed Forces through a signed agreement, or covenant, having received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award in August 2019.

On the eve of Armed Forces Day, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 27, Health Improvement Officer Richard Smith has recorded a video in which he recognises the role of the Armed Forces…. https://youtu.be/1yJZwPPY0hA

#armedforcesweek @Lowland_RFCA

Staff deployed to care home

Leave a Comment / news / By

A number of residents and staff at Dryfemount Care Home in Lockerbie have tested positive for COVID-19 and a number of staff are in self-isolation. 

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership have deployed staff to work in Dryfemount to ensure that all the residents continue to receive appropriate support. 

We have worked closely with the managers of the home and the Care Inspectorate to ensure that all residents and staff are supported through this difficult period

Call to help Care at Home workers

Leave a Comment / news / By

A key method to prevent the spread of coronavirus is keeping interaction to a minimum.

As a result, a request is being made to help Care at Home staff carrying out their duties within the region’s communities.

General Manager for Community Health and Social Care in Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Graham Abrines said: “When a Care at Home worker is due to visit a home, we’d ask that anyone other than the person receiving care creates space for the worker to carry out their duties.

“Other people may live at the same address, and current national guidance permits people to visit another residence if they are providing care to a vulnerable person.

“Aside from this, there should be no other person present within these homes.

“So, if people are present for those reasons we would ask if they could arrange to either be out of the house or in another room when the care at home worker calls.

“This will really help, as it means that the worker is only coming into contact with the person needing support, keeping that interaction to the very minimum.”

People are thanked for all the help they have provided, and are asked to continue to assist Care at Home staff as they carry out essential work during this difficult period.

Dumfries and Galloway well prepared for coronavirus

Leave a Comment / news / By

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is well-prepared for any positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and is asking the public to play their part in protecting themselves and each other.

While all tests in Scotland have so far been negative, Deputy Medical Director Dr Grecy Bell says an outbreak is highly likely based on the spread of infection in other countries.

Dr Bell said: “We have well-developed protocols in place to deal with any such illness, and we are providing support to staff both in hospital settings and in the community, including our GPs across the region.

“However, the public also has an important role to play to prevent the spread of infection. We are sharing national messaging around how people can help protect themselves and others. This includes posters promoting the message ‘Catch It, Bin It Kill It’, which applies equally to the coronavirus as any of the respiratory illnesses we tend to see at this time of year.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is also adopting the home testing model seen elsewhere in the country to limit any exposure and prevent any spread if cases were to appear.

This means people who are suspected coronavirus cases will be tested in their homes by clinicians who will wear a mask and protective clothing to prevent any possible spread.

Dr Bell said: “Obviously, there’s a lot of interest currently focused on coronavirus, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.

“We are well prepared in Dumfries and Galloway, but we do ask people to follow the self-isolation advice if they’ve visited an affected country, to call rather than visit their GP for advice if they think they have symptoms, and to also follow the basic health precautions they would use to avoid colds and flu, such as regularly washing hands, and catching coughs and sneezes with tissues.”

The latest numbers of test results are published at 2 pm each day on the Scottish Government website. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-scottish-test-numbers/

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
• high temperature or fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Updates on public health advice for coronavirus can be found on the NHS Inform website https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.

For anyone who is planning to travel abroad, guidance can be found on fitfortravel https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/ Where a COVID-19 risk is identified, country pages will be updated.