NHS NSS triage centre for social care
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) has set up a helpline to deal with social care supplies during Covid-19.
At the moment, the helpline is to be used only in cases where there is an urgent supply shortage and a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19. This will be reviewed regularly in the coming days and weeks.
Care service providers can reach the NHS NSS triage centre by calling 0300 303 3020.
When contacting the helpline, providers will be required to:
- answer a series of short screening questions
- confirm they have fully explored business as usual procurement routes
- confirm they have a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 and therefore have a need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- provide their Care Inspectorate registration number.
The helpline will be open 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.
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Covid-19 update for complainants
Due to Government guidance about working from home to keep staff safe we have closed our phone lines and continue our Contact Centre service online and by email. To make a complaint you can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Our offices are also closed to members of the public until further notice.
In order to protect the safety and wellbeing of people experiencing care we are only making visits to services when it is absolutely necessary. If you have a concern about a care service, in the first instance please raise this with the manager of the service. We will risk assess any concerns we receive, and this may result in complaints being referred to the service provider.
Reports detailing the outcome of complaints that are in progress have been placed on hold until further notice.
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New information from the Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has published new information:
- information for private and third sector providers about closures and emergency childcare
- information for parents on closure of daycare of children services.
Further information for childminders will follow.
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Near Me – new guidance for care home settings
Near Me is a video consulting service that enables people to have health and social care appointments from home or wherever is convenient. All you need is a device for making video calls like a smartphone and an internet connection. Near Me is a secure form of video consulting approved for use by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland. Guidance is available for care homes, residential homes, housing associations and hospices.
Further guidance is also available for implementing Near Me in:
Find out more at www.NearMe.scot
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Update for independent and voluntary sectors and childminders
We are aware that many of you have a number of questions following the Deputy First Ministers announcement that schools and nurseries will close from 20 March 2020.
In particular, there have been questions from the independent and voluntary sectors and childminders and what this means for them. Currently, local authorities are developing plans to support key workers childcare arrangements. Scottish Government are working on fact sheets for daycare and childminding providers with more detailed information, as soon as these are ready we will send these to you.
We appreciate these are very challenging times for you as you remain committed to providing high quality services for your children and families. We will continue to support you in any we can.
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