Covid-19 General Information Spinal Injuries Scotland is here for you. We are working with NHS Scotland, Scottish Government, local councils and charities to get you the information you need. We will keep this page updated when we can as its changing daily. If you need to speak to our team, please call 0800 0132 305 We are working closely with the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit (QENSIU) in Glasgow. They have notified us that if any SCI patients are admitted to local NHS hospitals with Covid-19 symptoms the QENSIU will work closely with the hospital to ensure the appropriate level of care is received. If you have any concerns please contact the charity on 0800 0132 305 The information from the Scottish Government is changing almost daily, we try to keep this page as up to date as possible. For the most up to date info visit the Scottish Government website Coronavirus and SCI People with a SCI are considered to be in a high-risk ‘vulnerable’ category under neurological conditions as mentioned in the guidance on social distancing. This means that the NHS will respond to SCI people as ‘a high risk category’ in relation to the Coronavirus and its likely impact and all advice and support through 111 and 999 will be treated as a priority case. In all enquiries about Coronavirus, we recommend SCI people state that they are spinal cord injured and therefore within a higher risk category for support. If you are looking for support please phone our Peer Support Helpline on 0800 0321 305 and we will try to help and support you. Please also follow our social media pages, where we will be posting more information and updated advice. Facebook Twitter Staying at home & What can we do together Staying at home is not easy with the lifestyles that we lead. We will be reaching out to our membership to provide over the phone support. But, please don’t wait for us to call you, reach out to us.We will be setting up Group chats, just like our Coffee Meets and Greets, but you will be enjoying your tea and coffee at home.If you would like to get involved, please get in touch on 0800 0132 305. Here is some guidance from NHS Inform Support Networks As most of us have gone into Isolation, we understand how you may be feeling. Our Peer Support team are here ready to speak to you. We will be reaching out to in-patients and to our members to share local knowledge as well as providing peer support. Locally, we will be linking together with other charities, local councils to ensure that you feel supported. You are not alone in this. Watch this space for information. Planning aheadIf you need regular medicine, you might be able to order repeat prescriptions by phone, or online via a website or app. Contact your GP and ask if they offer this or you can contact Bullen Healthcare who will delivery medication with your urology products. For more information, please call 0800 0132 305 It is wise to pack an emergency overnight bag in case you are taken to hospital, in this you should include any medicine that you take and write down your daily routine so medical professionals can know. Information for Carers, friends and family As we may be going into Lockdown, here are some handy links to help you receive the support that you need. Updates from Transport Scotland can be found here Find out about your employment and benefits rightsYou may be worried about work and money if you have to stay home – these issues can have a big effect on your mental health. If you have not already, talk with your employer about staying at home, and learn about your sick pay and benefits rights. Knowing the details about what the coronavirus outbreak means for you for you can reduce worry and help you feel more in control. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/ If you want some advice on your specific situation call us on 0800 0132 305 General Information Coronavirus symptoms and health advice Do try to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from each other avoid using shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms, at the same time as each other open windows in shared spaces if you can clean a shared bathroom each time you use it, for example by wiping the surfaces you have touched use a dishwasher if you have one – if you do not have one, use washing-up liquid and warm water and dry everything thoroughly Don’t do not share a bed, if possible do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels What are the symptoms? The following symptoms may develop up to 14 days after coming into contact with COVID-19 high temperature or fever cough shortness of breath Public health advice can be found at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) on NHS Inform What should I do if I think I have coronavirus? If you’ve developed a new continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the start of your symptoms even if you think your symptoms are mild. Do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital. Phone 111 if your symptoms: have not improved after 7 days are severe or you have shortness of breath worsen during home isolation You should also phone 111 if you develop breathlessness or it worsens, especially if you: are 60 years old or over have underlying poor health have heart or lung problems have a weakened immune system, including cancer have diabetes If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have COVID-19 symptoms. A free helpline has been set up for people who do not have symptoms but are looking for general advice: 0800 028 2816. Overseas visitors to Scotland, regardless of their residency status, are exempt from NHS charges for both the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). Heathcare for overseas visitors Do the people I live with need to take any action? If you live with other people and have symptoms, they’ll need to stay at home for 14 days from the start of your symptoms even if they don’t have symptoms themselves. If they develop symptoms within the 14 days, they need to stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms began. They should do this even if it takes them over the 14-day isolation period. Is there anything I can do to prepare? You should start planning now for how you would manage a period of self-isolation just in case everyone in your household needs to stay at home. Your plan might include: talking to your neighbours and family and exchanging phone numbers of household contacts making a plan for those in your home who are considered vulnerable. creating a contact list with phone numbers of neighbours, schools, employer, pharmacist and your GP setting up online shopping accounts if possible How to avoid catching COVID-19 You can reduce your risk of getting and spreading the infection by: avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth maintaining good hand hygiene avoiding direct contact with people that have a respiratory illness and avoiding using their personal items such as their mobile phone covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and disposing of them in the nearest waste bin after use Wash your hands regularly Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser before eating and drinking, and after coughing, sneezing and going to the toilet.