Coronavirus (COVID-19) self-directed support: guidance - 11 March 2022

7. Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Testing

Information for social care providers, personal assistants, and unpaid carers on how to access personal protective equipment (PPE) can be found at Coronavirus (COVID-19): PPE access for social care providers and unpaid carers.

Scottish Government has published PPE advice for personal assistants, while supporting people with personal care such as washing or dressing. Employers should refer to this when determining what PPE is appropriate to wear and how it should be disposed of, in accordance with their duties, to ensure a safe workplace.

There is similar advice for unpaid carers who visit or live with a friend or family member to provide help with personal care.

For all other social care staff and carers, tests can be collected at your local pharmacy or test site – see the following link to find the nearest location (Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests - NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)) Lateral flow tests can also be ordered online (Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

We ask that social care staff and carers record their result (positive and negative) on the following portal Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)