IT is an absolute indictment on the failure of infection control in Scottish hospitals for more than 900 patients to be infected with Covid-19, causing at least 200 deaths ("NHS use of PPE to be reviewed after hospital transmission has led to more than 200 deaths", The Herald, June 8). There are good examples elsewhere of hospitals safely admitting and treating patients for other conditions at times of infectious disease. In Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital constantly tests all staff before their shifts which takes less than half an hour. All patients are tested before admission so those infected are treated separately. Abroad some hospitals not only place Covid-19 patients into separate physical units, but all staff working in these infectious disease units do not work elsewhere in the hospital.
Why do Scottish hospitals not have available the same tests used at Addenbrookes, testing all staff as well as patients? Why have they failed to use separate premises and staff separation to prevent cross infection to non-Covid-19 patients? Why have hospital managements allowed this to happen? Why are they not being held to account?
Elizabeth Marshall, Edinburgh EH6.
I AM writing to express my deepest concern that Public Health Scotland has arbitrarily chosen to continue the lockdown of dental practices in Scotland. There is no justification for this considering that Public Health England allowed English practices to open from Monday (June 8). My own practice has additional protocols in place to further protect against virus transmission and was planning to open on June 2. I, and others I know, are in need of dental care – emergency and general attention – and have suffered enough pain and risk to their well-being already during lockdown. I cannot see any justification for continuing to deny dental patients access to their practices other than political grandstanding.
I demand as a matter of urgency that dentists are allowed to practice and treat their patients. Politics, specifically a nationalist agenda, must on no account be brought into the realm of public health.
Mary Brown, Taynuilt, Argyll.
LIKE my immediate family, friends – several of whom have shielding status – and the great majority of the general public, my wife and I as golden oldies have conscientiously kept to Government guidance on lockdown, and it is disappointing to see a small minority who consistently disregard the social distancing requirement, with the risk to others and those in the NHS.
Some might suggest, although I couldn’t possibly, that as well as a fine, persistent offenders should be given a packet of paracetamol or aspirin, advised to keep their fingers crossed, and not to bother the NHS.
NHS Workers’ Lives Matter.
R Russell Smith, Kilbirnie.
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