As of the 13th June 2024, the NHS Inform advice on Covid-19 has been updated. This was informed by a review from Public Health Scotland and Scottish Government clinicians. Based on this review, it was recommended that the advice to self-isolate for five days following a positive Covid-19 test should be removed from guidance. This change to public health advice now brings Scotland in line with guidance in Wales and Northern Ireland.
This change to NHS Inform guidance also follows the recent removal of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing before discharge from Scottish hospitals to care homes and hospices.
Since the 30th August 2023, health and social care staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection have been asked to follow the Covid-19 advice on NHS Inform. We ask health and social care staff to continue to follow this NHS Inform advice going forward. If there are any further changes to this advice, Scottish Government will engage with, and inform, health and social care employers accordingly.
The DL from August 2023 as been updated as per the changes outlined in this email. To access this updated DL please use the following link: Notice of changes to Scottish Government’s COVID-19 testing guidance.
Finally, we continue to recommend that any staff who are returning to work after recovering from symptoms of a respiratory infection, should do so in discussion with their line manager. This will allow for an appropriate risk assessment to take place prior to their return to the workplace. This is of particular importance for staff who work in areas of high clinical risk (please see PHS guidance on return to work).
If you have any queries relating to this change to guidance please contact: LCW@gov.scot.
Kind regards,
James Vasey [he/him]
Team Leader (TRS) – Workplace Culture
Culture and Wellbeing Unit
Leadership, Culture & Wellbeing Division
Directorate for Health Workforce
Director-General Health & Social Care
