Policy Updates

Pandemic Policy and Procedure

COVID-19 Hub Health and Safety COVID-19 Region: | Reference: SHS14

Policy reviewed, updated and adapted to more accurately reflect the current position with regard to COVID-19. Policy highlights other policy areas that are relevant to support a pandemic. It is not sufficient to rely on this policy to manage the implications of COVID -19. There is a clearer separation between Flu and COVID -19.

Coronavirus Policy and Procedure

COVID-19 Hub Health and Safety COVID-19 Region: | Reference: SHS16

This policy will help management and staff with the current phase of the coronavirus pandemic. Information about the Protect Scotland App has been included.

Restraint Policy and Procedure

Clinical Governance Risk Management and Safeguarding Region: | Reference: GCR09

Policy reviewed with no significant changes and references checked and updated.

Working Time Regulations Policy and Procedure

Human Resources General Human Resources Region: | Reference: DPG12

Legislation has been inserted with reference to the Working Times (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. A new procedure has been included to confirm that employees are now entitled to carry 4 weeks’ paid leave into the following two annual leave years if prevented from taking holidays due to Coronavirus. A new form ‘Notice to take annual leave under Regulation 15(2) WTR 1998‘ and further references have been added.

Harassment Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Performance & Discipline Region: | Reference: DPP01

This policy governs the interactions between employees and when complaints from employees may amount to bullying or harassment. If there is a potential bullying or harassment complaint, this policy also sets out the process to follow in dealing with this complaint. This will be applicable across all employees and all sectors from top to bottom of an organisation. The implications for an employer for failure to protect staff adequately from bullying and harassment can be threefold: breach of the Equality Act, breach of the Protection from Harassment Act, and breach of Health and Safety legislation.

The policy has been amended to include specific reference to the Human Rights Act, in particular Article 8 where there is a crossover between this and the Equality Act. The procedure section has been updated to ensure clarity and a new definition of aggrieved employee has been inserted. The references have been updated and additional underpinning knowledge from the Equality and Human Right

Harassment Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Performance & Discipline Region: | Reference: GPP01

This policy governs the interactions between employees and when complaints from employees may amount to bullying or harassment. If there is a potential bullying or harassment complaint, this policy also sets out the process to follow in dealing with this complaint.This will be applicable across all employees and all sectors from top to bottom of an organisation. The implications for an employer for failure to protect staff adequately from bullying and harassment can be threefold: breach of the Equality Act, breach of the Protection from Harassment Act, and breach of Health and Safety legislation.

The policy has been amended to include specific reference to the Human Rights Act, in particular Article 8 where there is a crossover between this and the Equality Act. The procedure section has been updated to ensure clarity and a new definition of aggrieved employee has been inserted. The references have been updated and additional underpinning knowledge from the Equality and Human Rights

Antimicrobial Prescribing Policy and Procedure

Clinical Governance Practice Management Region: | Reference: DCP17

This policy has been reviewed and additional content added within the procedure section. References reviewed and updated.

Infection Control Policy and Procedure

COVID-19 Hub Health and Safety COVID-19 Region: | Reference: WCC34

Infection Control is an important aspect in the delivery of safe care and this policy has been reviewed to ensure it remains in line with current legislation. Hyperlinks have also been added and references updated to ensure they remain current.

Swabbing Policy and Procedure

COVID-19 Hub Care Management COVID-19 Region: | Reference: SCC94

This policy outlines the swab testing process for those being tested for coronavirus. It includes the latest guidance from Health Protection Scotland and a document from the UK Government ‘how to take a combined throat and nose swab’ visual guides, which staff should familiarise themselves with.The new app Protect Scotland has been added.

Swabbing Policy and Procedure

COVID-19 Hub Care Management COVID-19 Region: | Reference: SCC98

This policy outlines the swab testing process for those being tested for coronavirus. It includes the latest guidance from the UK Government and Health Protection Scotland, alongside some useful support documents; these include the ‘how to take a combined throat and nose swab’ visual guides, which staff should familiarise themselves with. A reference to the new app Protect Scotland has been added.