The Scottish Government’s Route Map
Last Thursday (21 May) the Scottish Government has just published a route map to take Scotland through and out of the COVID crisis.
It provides information about how and when we might ease the lockdown restrictions, while continuing to suppress the virus. And it provides us with some indication of what our journey to a new normal might look like.
Our Council is continuing to receive further information and guidance on what the route map means for our own services and the services that we provide. The Senior Leadership Team are working through this information in detail and will provide direction for our services once a way forward has been established.
TTIS – Test, Trace, Isolate and Support
As part of the announcement last week, the First Minister emphasised that steps to return to normal will be gradual by necessity and will be matched with rigorous, ongoing monitoring of the coronavirus.
At every stage, the biggest single factor in controlling the virus, will be how well we all continue to observe public health advice. The introduction of plans for TTIS – Test, Trace, Isolate and Support – which will help keep coronavirus in check.
Supporting the work
To support this important work, officers from Environmental Health have joined staff from the NHS and have established a new testing centre at Mountainhall in Dumfries. The team have been training over the past few weeks and are now fully operational.
In addition, staff in our community support cell will provide help for anyone who needs to self-isolate. It may be difficult for some individuals to self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days if they do not have friends or family nearby to help them. In these circumstances, community support will be provided to ensure that they receive any assistance they require and are able to continue to self-isolate.
How will TTIS work?
Under this system, when someone starts to feel symptoms consistent with Covid-19 they will be asked to go into self-isolation and it will be arranged for them to be tested.
If they test negative, they can be released from self-isolation. But if they test positive, they must stay there for seven days - and the contact-tracing system kicks in to identify anyone they have been close to. This includes anyone who has been within two metres of an infected person for a period of 15 minutes or longer.
These people will be asked to go into isolation for 14 days. A support system will be put in place to help those who might struggle to do so.
Volunteer Week
Volunteers’ Week takes place every year from 1 – 7 June and is a time to say thank you for the fantastic contribution volunteers make.
Volunteers’ Week is usually a ‘time to celebrate’ and thank all the volunteers in the UK for the support and services they provide throughout the year.
We have seen an amazing volunteer response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and we have therefore decided that this year more than ever Volunteers’ Week should focus on our thanks, gratitude and recognition
However, it is important that we recognise all our volunteers – the groups and individuals that help to deliver services in our communities all year round.
Our council are planning a number of different activities to make sure that we acknowledge the commitment, time and effort that all our volunteers make. Not all of our volunteers are external to the council – we know that a number of our staff also dedicate their time to support different groups and activities locally.
As part of this work, we will be creating a Facebook frame for the week which can be uploaded to your profile image, acknowledging Volunteer Week. Please upload the frame to your photo and share so that others do the same and ensure they get the recognition they deserve.
Bulky Uplifts
From the 1 June, our Council will be offering the service again. Regionwide.
Physical distancing guidelines will be adhered to. Items should be left on kerbside for collection by the team.
From today (Monday 25 May), you can phone up and book your slot.
As well as this, our teams are continuing to work on preparations for the re-opening of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). We are awaiting Scottish Government confirmation of the date when this will be.
 Mental Health Awareness Week
Thank you to all staff who participated in Mental Health Awareness Week across our different services last week.
It is important for us to highlight that the week is an opportunity to raise awareness of our commitment and the work that we do as a council to support mental health. However, this is our commitment all year round, not just for last week.
Our council now has 100 Mental Health Champions who are based within a wide range of council services. They have received specific training on how to support colleagues who may need someone to talk to or some advice. There is also a section on Connect with lots of materials on Mental Health that provide information and guidance.
Furthermore, there is online training available through FLO on Mental Healthy Workplaces. This is a mandatory training course for all our staff (there is also a course for managers to complete.) If you have not had a chance to complete it yet, please speak to your line manager to make the time to do this course.
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