The national health and social care lead for Scotland’s local authorities says he’s confident care services are resilient and will deliver continuing care through the current coronavirus epidemic.

Speaking to healthandcare.scot, the health and social care spokesperson for the local government organisation COSLA, Councillor Stuart Currie, says contingency plans are in place that work, having been tested when severe weather hit Scotland two years ago:

“My confidence is based on the work that is ongoing, not just at national level but at local level.

“People are working together extremely well in local government, the NHS and the Scottish government.

“There are resilience plans that are in place at local level and at a national level and these are being looked at all the time.”

Councillor Currie says it’s also important to ensure the services that support carers continue uninterrupted.

“One example is to work with pharmacies. It is important that people can get their drugs delivered to them and actually one thing that we learned from the beast from ‘beast from the east’ was how to keep that going, to deal with extreme circumstances and ensure we got help to people who are in need.”

It comes as guidance for care workers who might be dealing with suspected cases is published, advising them to don protective equipment when dealing with people who may the virus.

Councillor Currie says, while its difficult to predict how the outbreak will develop, it’s important that people continue to feel able to ask questions for themselves and their loved ones to allay any concerns they may have.

“I think the advice is speak to the council, speak to your provider or speak to the social work team at the council if you’re working with them, and they will give you advice about the plans they have in place.”