College welcomes progress on COVID-19 testing for NHS staff and patients

26 Nov 2020

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Scotland has today (Thursday 26^th November 2020) welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of new testing guidance for NHS staff and patients. 

From next week, all emergency admissions to NHS Scotland hospitals will be tested for COVID-19, and twice-weekly lateral flow testing will be introduced for all patient-facing healthcare staff working in hospitals, COVID-19 Assessment Centres and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Testing will be introduced for all elective admissions to hospital from mid-December.

Speaking after the announcement, Professor Jackie Taylor, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow said:

“This is a welcome announcement by the Scottish Government, both staff and patients will be safer with additional testing. Our College consistently has raised these issues at the highest level over the past few weeks, so we welcome this much-needed progress.

“While these additional measures will improve safety and reduce transmission in hospitals, it’s just as important that the public continue to play their part in the fight against this highly contagious virus by following official guidance on face coverings and social distancing, and reducing the number of people we see on a day to day basis.”