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Latest information and guidance on COVID-19 and visiting restrictions.

Where can I get the latest health information and advice?

The most up-to-date health advice and guidance for COVID-19 can be found on the NHS Inform website. If you need a sick note due to coronavirus, don’t contact your GP or NHS 24. You can download an isolation note directly from NHS Inform.

A free national helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816. It is open every day from 8.00am to 10.00pm.

Test and Protect – What should I do if I have symptoms?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 including:

  • a new persistent cough,
  • high temperature,
  • loss of taste or sense of smell,

please do not leave home – you should go online immediately and request a test.

If you can’t get online, call 0800 028 2816. If symptoms worsen, or last for more than 7 days, call 111.

What happens when you are phoned by the Test and Protect service

If someone tests positive for COVID-19, NHS Scotland will confidentially trace who the person has had contact with. If you receive a phone call from the Test & Protect service, it may be because you were in contact with someone who tested positive.

The Test and Protect service will then request that you don’t leave home and offer you a test if appropriate.

If it’s urgent, it’s urgent, please don’t wait

If you have an urgent, non-coronavirus health concern, please don’t wait. Promptly seek help for emergencies, present possible cancer signs and attend immunisation appointments.

Call your GP surgery or 111 out of hours. For emergencies phone 999.

Local Service Arrangements

A number of our services have provided additional information in light of COVID-19. More information can be found on those service pages below.

Postponement of non-urgent appointments and operations

All non-urgent appointments and non-essential operations and procedures are being postponed to create capacity and free up clinical staff to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any patients affected will be contacted direct and arrangements will be made to reschedule appointments as soon as possible. Vital cancer treatments, emergency, maternity, neonatal and urgent care will continue to be provided.

Hospital Visiting Suspended

Visiting has been suspended across all our hospitals and inpatient wards to help limit the spread of COVID-19, protect our patients and our ensure the safety of our staff. The suspension applies expect in the following situations and visitors are asked to consider whether a visit is essential even in these circumstances.

  • Maternity Unit – women can be supported by a single birth partner during labour but they must remain within the Maternity Unit at all times. Antenatal appointments and ultrasound scans should be attended unaccompanied.
  • Neonatal Unit & Children’s Ward – parents are permitted to visit and they should remain with their child at all times.
  • Palliative Care – to support someone who is receiving end-of-life care.
  • Supporting someone with additional needs– including people with dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.

National Screening Programmes

Due to COVID-19 a number of national screening programmes have been temporarily paused. If you think you have any symptoms of the conditions covered by the screening programme, contact your GP practice.

For more information visit NHS Inform.

Information for people who are shielding

You may have been asked to ‘shield’ because your existing health conditions mean you are particularly at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. As part of this, your GP practice may be in touch to ask you what your plans are if you become unwell. We know this might be a worrying thing to think about, so Dr Paul Baughan, a GP in NHS Forth Valley and the national clinical lead for Health Improvement Scotland, has recorded this video to explain what that conversation is about.

You can also find more information and advice on shielding on the NHS Inform website.

Parents, Children and Young People

  • Young Scot – Find out more about what’s happening and the simple steps you can take to help prevent catching COVID-19 and spreading to others. Also find out more about what you can do if you are feeling anxious and worried, and how you can support others in your community.
  • Childline has a dedicated coronavirus page which includes advice on how to cope if you are staying at home. Please also note that Childline have reduced their hours of operation and their phone line/online chat service is now available 9.00am – midnight.
  • Parent Club now features a dedicated coronavirus hub offering advice and support to parents as they face the many
    challenges of this pandemic.
  • Advice for parents during coronavirus – this poster has some usual information in the event of your child becoming unwell from a non-coronavirus illness.
  • Anxiety & COVID-19 – We know that this is very stressful and anxious time for many and we have put together a list of resources to help support children, young people, and their parents/carers during this uncertain time.
  • The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – A guide for children and young people
  • The Breastfeeding Network and Unicef – Resources on breastfeeding and early relationship building with parents
  • First Steps Nutrition – Information and resources to support eating well from pre-conception to five years

Forth Valley Royal Hospital – Retail and Catering Facilities

The restaurant on the first floor of Forth Valley Royal Hospital is now only able to serve NHS Forth Valley staff on production of a valid staff ID Badge and is not open to patients and visitors at this time. Starbucks remains closed and M&S are running reduced opening hours. The WH Smith café in the Women and Children’s Unit is continuing to provide a takeaway service. Vending machines with drinks and snacks are available outside wards and in a number of public areas across the site and these will continued to be stocked as usual.

Vital information from the Scottish Government – letter and accompanying leaflet

A letter and accompanying leaflet has been sent to every household in Scotland, containing information on how to protect yourself and others, and help stop the spread of coronavirus. A list of useful contacts offering advice and support in many different areas is also provided.

This information is available in different languages and alternative formats.

COVID-19 Information in Alternative Languages

Additional Links

In an Emergency call 999 for health advice and reassurance call NHS24 on 111.
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