Developments in recent months have helped us all to minimise the impact of Covid19 and have enabled us to return to a level of normality. Central to this has been the high levels of vaccination uptake throughout the UK.

Although COVID-19 remains with us – transmission rates are currently lower and the impact of the virus is currently milder than at earlier stages in the pandemic.

Vaccination remains the greatest protection against Covid19. A further booster dose is now being rolled out, to maximise protection as we head towards winter 2022/23. I would encourage you to take up this offer when invited to do so.

Our Care at Home team are included in the groups being offered the booster.

The Scottish Government has recently undertaken a review of face mask use within social care settings. As a result of several factors, including high vaccinations rates and other mitigations against Covid19, it has recommended that it is now safe for staff to provide services without the use of a face mask in most circumstances.

The use of face masks by staff continues to be appropriate in the following circumstances:

• Where a service user has expressed a preference that staff wear a mask when delivering care.
• Where a member of staff wishes to continue to wear a face mask.
• Where staff feel that there is a risk of being exposed to Covid19 or other infections.

As a result of this change in guidance there is a possibility that staff providing supports to you will do so without a mask unless requested by you.

All our staff work to strict infection prevention and control guidance and they will continue to follow existing practices regarding scrupulous hand hygiene and the use of disposable gloves, aprons and other personal protective equipment as appropriate.

I am proud of our staff and the commitment shown by colleagues every day to provide the very best of care and support to all our service users who depend upon us to keep them safe and well.

I hope this update provides you with some reassurance. However, should you wish to speak to someone about your service, or to let us know that you would like staff to continue to wear face masks when supporting you, please contact us on 0141 771 6478 and one of my colleagues will be able to assist you.