Update: Friday 13 March
We are working to manage the potential spread of COVID-19 and continue to provide a safe service following NHS and government advice. We are committed to keeping you informed and will provide further updates and guidance in the coming days on our social media pages and through direct communication. The governance is now that if someone newly develops any of the following symptoms, they must remain at home in isolation for 7 days:
Cough
Shortness of breath
Fever/temperature
Please contact us on 0131 661 4411 to let us know if you have any of these symptoms so our Response Team and case managers can communicate directly with you in regards to your absence. We will work together to prevent spread and concerns from escalating.
We will do our best to update you as new information comes in. As I am sure you will appreciate, the situation is changing daily but we are trying hard to response as appropriate. If you have any questions about our plans for managing our service in light of the COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Useful information
https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
Update: Friday 6 March
There is growing concern within the UK regarding the spread of the Coronavirus. It is prudent of us to ensure we take the measures required in order to minimise the possibility of infection in and around our students and staff teams across all sites. Contingency plans are being drawn up for possible scenarios should there be any cases in and around those involved with Upmo. We are still in the prevention stage so with this in mind, please read and share the following information.
We will provide further updates and guidance in the coming days on our social media pages and through direct communication should that be required and as there are developments.
Guidance
Students and staff will be asked to wash their hands at the start and end of the day, break times, lunch time, before they leave, etc.
Staff will be offering students assistance to ensure that students are washing their hands thoroughly. Guidelines state you should wash your hands for 20 seconds (the length of singing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice). We have displayed additional posters with how to correctly wash hands. This is on top of usual good hygiene practice.
If you are coughing and sneezing catch it (with a tissue), bin it, kill it and wash your hands afterwards. Or if you do not have a tissue, cough / sneeze into the crook of your arm, ‘Dracula pose’.
We should all avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Staff will ensure that all tables are cleaned at the beginning and end of all break times / lunch time and that all dishes are cleaned in the dishwasher. Other equipment will also be cleaned/sanitized as appropriate following use.
If you have symptoms
Call NHS 111 or your local GP surgery. Do not go to the GP surgery unless advised to by the NHS. Seek advice on whether you need to self-isolate.
Call Upmo and inform us ASAP if you or someone close to you are required to self-isolate. Current health guidelines would mean being off for 14 days.
If you come into contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus
Follow NHS guidelines and self-isolate for 14 days. Seek guidance from medical professionals.
Have you been to or are you planning on going to an area which has been affected?
If you’ve travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam or Italy (or any countries besides these that are experiencing outbreaks/quarantines, as this list will likely grow over time) in the previous 14 days and are experiencing cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should:
Stay indoors
Call your GP
If your surgery is closed, ring NHS 24 (111) informing them of your symptoms and your recent travel
Don’t leave home until you’ve been given advice by a clinician
If you are planning on travelling to any of the affected areas in the coming month or so, please make your Case Manager aware as soon as possible.
