- Testing to be based on clinical need in hospitals, care homes
and prisons.
Routine COVID-19 testing in hospitals, care homes and prisons is
to be substantially reduced following clinical and scientific
advice.
Due to the success of the vaccination programme and improved
treatments, Public Health Scotland and Antimicrobial Resistance
& Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland have recommended a
return to pre-pandemic testing.
This means testing will be based on person-centred clinical
decisions, rather than a routine policy for all individuals.
Routine testing will continue for patients moving from hospitals
to care homes and will be reviewed based on future advice and
outbreaks. Tests will also continue to be available for those
eligible for antiviral treatment.
The new guidance will come into effect by 30 August 2023.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith said:
“Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the
availability of improved treatments, now is the right time to
revise the advice on routine COVID-19 testing across health and
social care settings and prisons. This will ensure the testing
regime remains effective and proportionate.
“Routine testing will remain when patients are discharged from
hospital to care homes, to provide additional reassurance for
these settings, and testing will still be required when
clinically appropriate.
“The clinical advice tells us that focusing on the risk to
individuals under general infection control procedures will allow
our hospital, social care and prison staff to better protect
those in their care and that there is no longer a requirement to
apply separate COVID-19 guidance across the board when so many
are now protected from its worst harms.”
Notes to editors
Background
Advance notice of changes to
Scottish Government’s COVID-19 testing guidance
