Question reference: S5W-28620
- Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 April 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 18 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what basis a care worker can self-assess that they do not need to wear a protective mask while administering care to a vulnerable person during the COVID-19 outbreak (a) given the reported rate of false negative test results and (b) if they have not been tested for the virus.
Answer
Self-assessment should be based on the professional judgement of the care worker, based on their assessment of the patient and the situation. For example, if the social care worker was undertaking a procedure where there was a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids, they might risk assess that they required additional protection as per Table 4 of the UK wide guidance.