General Guidance for Carers

The Covid Highest Risk List ended on 31 May 2022

The Highest Risk List used to be called the Shielding List.

Most people who were on Scotland’s Highest Risk List no longer have a higher risk than other people in Scotland thanks to vaccination. But some people who are immunosuppressed are still at higher risk from Covid-19. You can find information for people who used to be on the Highest Risk List on gov.scot.

This includes:

• information about why we no longer need the Highest Risk List
• Mental health and wellbeing advice
• links to further information and support
• guidance for immunosuppressed people (www.gov.scot)
• past research about the Highest Risk List
• information on how we will contact people in future if we need to

The Scottish Government launched the Covid Sense Signage Pilot on 29 June 2022. This will help and encourage organisations and businesses to provide signs and reassure people about the protective measures they have in place, particularly those with underlying health conditions and who are at a higher risk from Covid-19.

This is particularly important if you regularly have people coming into your home to support the person you care for such as care workers or health practitioners. Take a single-person approach where possible when caring for vulnerable friends and relatives. Follow hygiene and infection control guidelines:

• Click here for information on how to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

If you think you have been in close contact with someone with coronavirus, take extra precautions around social distancing and check if you have symptoms using the coronavirus symptom checker:

• Click here to check your symptoms

By continuing to care for ourselves and others, we can help slow down the spread of the virus, enable workplaces to operate safely and reduce pressure on health services. To help keep yourself and others safe:

• getting your vaccine when offered to ensure you are fully protected
• staying at home if you’re unwell with symptoms or have a fever
• opening windows when socialising indoors
• wearing a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
• washing your hands to protect yourself

You can access this information in other languages and formats. 

If you have not done so already, consider having an emergency plan and/or anticipatory care plan in place for the person you care for:

• Click here for more information on Emergency Planning
• Click here for more information on Anticipatory Care Planning

Ensure you have key information to hand about the person you care for. It might be worth writing down some vital details such as their medical conditions, medications they take, what they like and dislike etc in case someone needs to assist with the caring role.

If you are unable to provide essential care for someone, you should contact your local social work department for support. If a formal provision of care is already in place it might be worth checking with the care provider or the local authority what their contingency plans are.

Check to see if your employer has any plans in place for staff affected by coronavirus. Check what your employment rights are:

• Click here for more information on your employment rights

Speak to the people and organisations you owe money to, many are acknowledging the current situation and may be able to help. Visit the Citizens Advice Scotland website for more advice if you can't pay your bills because of coronavirus:

Click here if you can’t pay your bills because of coronavirus

Lanarkshire Carers can assist eligible unpaid carers to access Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through local distribution hubs in North and South Lanarkshire. If you require PPE and need assistance to access this via your local distribution hub, please contact us on 01698 428090/01236 755550. More information on when PPE is required can be found on the Scottish Government website:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-unpaid-carers-providing-personal-care/pages/overview/

Following original guidance published in May 2020, this revised guidance focuses on the changing circumstances of the pandemic, and how Self-Directed Support (SDS) can be used flexibly in response to the pandemic.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-self-directed-support-sds-during-pandemic/