Mooted changes to self-isolation rules for health and care workers have been questioned by major unions, as it is claimed any exemption would leave them with less protection than other workers.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed yesterday that plans to ditch the requirement to isolate for double-vaccinated staff who have been identified as a close contact of a positive case were under “active consideration”.

They would return to work following a negative PCR result; an arrangement known as ‘Test and Release’.

But a backlash to the plans is developing as it was questioned by two major unions representing staff across health and care.

The Vice-Chair of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland (RCN) today told healthandcare.scot that the proposals could be seen as giving health and care staff “less protection than the wider public”.

The move from the First Minister followed a series of interventions from the BMA, some Royal Colleges and Scottish Care, who warned of a growing staffing crisis caused by workers isolating after being ‘pinged’ by the Test and Protect app.

Any changes to the requirements, which would be announced in Parliament, could be introduced for health and care staff and other essential workers first.

At a coronavirus update yesterday, the First Minister said: “We are considering, perhaps ahead of [9^th of August], whether that could be introduced for some key groups in our workforce, and obviously health and social care fall into that category.”

However, while RCN Vice-Chair Martin MacGregor acknowledged that nursing staff were coming under more pressure as a “significant number” were being asked to self-isolate, he said: “It is essential that nursing staff are able to work safely, wherever they are employed and, the RCN cannot support the current proposals from the Scottish government to allow the early return of self-isolating staff.

“The Scottish government needs to set out the evidence demonstrating that Test and Release can be done safely.

“The RCN expects that re-mobilisation plans should be limited as the first measure to increase capacity. Employers should also be making sure that nursing staff have access to the highest level of PPE.

“As the First Minister acknowledged yesterday, to relax the rules for one group of people could be seen as giving health and care staff less protection than the wider public.”

GMB Scotland, which represents workers in the health service and social care, yesterday warned of the risks of sending staff who may have the virus back into work.

Union organiser Drew Duffy said the problems were only being considered because of “understaffing” in health and social care.

He added: “Let’s be clear these problems were well understood by ministers and employers pre-covid and they didn’t act.

“Our message to the First Minister is simple: “Don’t go there.” This will only anger and concern staff who are already absolutely exhausted and undercut, while confirming that their safety is not and has never been a priority for this government during this Covid-19 pandemic.”

Yesterday’s announcement on a potential rethink came as the First Minister said she would not abandon the most at-risk Scots by removing restrictions too quickly.

People who were shielding will receive a letter from Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer asking what support they need and with advice on how to stay safe.

Around 13,000 people who are at the most risk of covid-19 who have not had both vaccine doses are being urged to get jabbed.

 

Read more: Staff isolation rule change ‘under consideration’; Call for NHS staff self-isolation rethink; Compulsory care staff jabs dismissed for Scotland

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