Coronavirus: NHS services to be gradually restarted

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NHS services suspended in Scotland because of coronavirus are to be gradually restarted, the health secretary has announced.

Jeane Freeman said pain clinics, dental treatment and cancer referrals would be among the first areas to be restored.

Health boards have submitted mobilisation plans to ministers.

These will see the return of regular NHS services but also maintain capacity in hospitals for dealing with Covid-19 cases.

In addition, "adjustments" are anticipated to be made in the coming weeks to the guidelines for vulnerable people in Scotland shielding from Covid-19.

The NHS services likely to be prioritised by health boards include:

  • Cancer services, including referrals and postponed treatments

  • Expanding treatments for non-cancer urgent inpatients and outpatients

  • Outpatient therapies such as management of macular degeneration, paediatrics and respiratory services

  • Mental health support

  • Blood monitoring and B12 injections.

NHS remains on 'emergency footing'

Ms Freeman said: "We are taking an evidence-based, cautious and phased approach to resuming services to ensure the virus continues to be suppressed.

"While NHS Scotland will remain on an emergency footing, this framework sets out our approach for the next phases as we continue to respond to this pandemic.

"Our approach is not only driven by clinical priorities but also what matters to people's quality of life like pain clinics, dental treatment and preventative work like cancer screening."

But Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "I am concerned that this framework provides a lack of detail and commitment to dates to reopen services, and a vague approach to moving forward.

"The number of 'excess deaths' for non-Covid-19 illnesses has been heartbreaking and shows that we can't delay reopening services for months."

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About 120,000 people are believed to be shielding in Scotland

Latest figures published by the Scottish government reveal that 15,400 people have tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 18 from Saturday.

A further nine people who tested positive have died, taking the total in Scotland, by that measure, to 2,362 deaths.

A total of 1,073 people were in hospital on Saturday night with either a confirmed (732) or suspected (341) case of Covid-19, a decrease of 41 overall.

'We have not forgotten about you'

Ms Freeman addressed people who were "shielding", acknowledging that restrictions had been "incredibly difficult" and how tough it had been to see restrictions eased for those less at risk.

Such vulnerable people in England and Wales who have been advised to stay home will be able to go outdoors again from Monday.

No similar changes have been made in Scotland so far but Prof Jason Leitch, the national clinical director, told the Scottish government briefing that this could change.

He said: "I would anticipate in the week and days ahead that we will make some adjustments, both to the shielded group and to the advice to everybody inside that group.

"I can't tell you what that will be but if the numbers stay down then I sincerely hope this will enable them to do more than they are presently doing."

"We have not forgotten about you," Ms Freeman added.

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