North Coast 500 and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The World Health Organisation has declared a public health emergency of international concern, and in response, the four UK Chief Medical Officers changed the UK risk level from low to moderate. This does not mean that the risk to individuals has increased, and it does not mean that any additional precautions are necessary. The increase to moderate is a reflection of the need for governments and the health service to escalate our planning and preparation in case of a more widespread outbreak.
To support the health and social care sector across Scotland the following toolkit of communications assets has been developed.
These communication assets have been created based on the template produced by the Department of Health and Social Care, and Public Health England to ensure consistency with the UK-wide advertising activity that is currently underway via advertising on radio, in newspapers and via social edia.
Procedures/Processes for Managing Risk
- The Scottish Government resilience operation has been activated - Ministers and officials are working with partners including Health Protection Scotland, administrations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and UK Chief Medical Officers to monitor the situation closely and ensure NHS services have the support they need
- For patient confidentiality reasons we cannot give out information that would identify any patients. This includes location, health board area, ethnicity, whether they are a student etc.
- Daily updates will confirm the numbers of patients in Scotland who have tested negative or positive for coronavirus.
- Our approach is at all times guided by the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, independent experts and the World Health Organisation.
- The NHS and Health Protection Scotland have an established plan to respond to someone who becomes unwell.
- The NHS has expert teams in every ambulance service and a number of specialist hospital units with highly trained staff and equipment ready to receive and care for patients with any highly infectious disease.
- We practice and prepare our response to disease outbreaks and follow tried and tested procedures, following the highest safety standards possible for the protection of NHS staff, patients and the public.
- Specific guidance on handling the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been shared with NHS staff.
