Scotland’s health secretary has said she hopes to reach a resolution with private care providers over staff sick pay if they test positive for covid-19 by the end of the week.

There are concerns some social care workers might be afraid to be tested in case they have to self-isolate for seven days on statutory sick pay, which is £96 a week.

It comes as the Scottish Government sets out how it expects NHS board leaders to take “direct responsibility” for “daily support and oversight” of care homes, including on PPE, staffing levels and testing.

The Health Secretary said: “Local authorities of course have their own clear terms and conditions that include the payment of sick pay that is more than the statutory level.

“Private providers are in fact small businesses and my understanding is that some do have terms and conditions for their staff that allow for the proper payment of sick pay that is not the minimum statutory sick pay.

“But clearly others do not so that is why I have said to the unions and to those providers through Scottish Care I want you to come and discuss with me what you believe you can do to improve the situation and let me look at what the Scottish Government can do to assist you in doing that.

“I’m very keen to have a discussion because I do not think any care worker should be in that very difficult position where they’re trying to make a choice about doing the right thing for their own health and the care of residents but knowing that the income they will receive will reduce so significantly that it will be very difficult for them to manage.

“I hope in the course of this week we can reach a resolution on that with those business owners.”

The Scottish Government announced today all care home staff are to be offered testing regardless of symptoms & regardless of whether there is an ongoing outbreak in the care home where they work.

Many care providers have reported they face colossal wage bills as absence rates go up with staff having to self-isolate and other workers are brought in to fill gaps.

Ms Freeman added: “There are a number of providers in the care home sector; local authorities, third sector and independent sector providers and private providers.

“The 3.3% uplift I agreed payable from the 1^st April was important to allow for the payment of the real living wage but it was also to cover additional sick pay costs for staff in the independent and third sector who had to be at home either because they were sick or shielding, or because they were looking after someone who was shielding.”

Further details on the expansion of testing are promised in a statement to Parliament tomorrow.  

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