STUC Update

From our colleagues at the STUC: 

As the Scottish Government’s focus on the economic impact of Covid-19 continues, we will be providing regular bulletins to signpost you to the latest sources of information. We hope that you will find this useful and share with your networks where appropriate.

Today is World Health Day and at today’s media briefing the First Minister sent her thanks to all of the nurses, midwives and health workers who are working in challenging times to help fight Covid-19. It was confirmed that more than 2,000 final year nursing and midwifery students will join the workforce early and that good progress is being made on the construction of the Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow.

It was announced that community pharmacies are to benefit from a £5.5 million support package to help them cope with increased pressures from coronavirus.

You can watch the media conference here. 

Advice for businesses and their employees is available at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/

There is an HMRC helpline for tax issues at 0800 015 9559.

NHS Inform’s coronavirus webpage is the fastest way for people to get the latest health advice and information.

Overview

• The Prime Minister continues to be in intensive care. He is said to have been given oxygen but not put on a ventilator. Said to be in good spirits. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will deputise for the PM for ‘as long as necessary’ though there remains some uncertainty about the scope of his power.
• Major concerns were raised by unions about advice issued by the Chief Nursing Officer contradicting UK wide advice on PPE and social distancing in the home and social care sector.

Scottish Government announcements

• As anticipated, a major jump in COVID deaths. A new total of 354 was announced with a third in Glasgow and Greater Clyde and none in Orkney and Shetland.  Differing figures are a consequence of COVID deaths being stated in death certificates alongside hospital data.
• PPE was main focus with FM quoting a letter from a ‘range of medics’ raising issues on whether PPE was of sufficient standard for medical settings. Interim Chief Medical Officer would to ‘reach out to them today’.  Cab Sec for Health stated that PPE is in line with WHO guidelines.
• Both FM and Cab Sec for Health referenced union concerns and joint letter on PPE in care. A meeting call will he held today including Cab Sec for Health, Deputy FM, COSLA President and unions.
• A new Higher and Further Education Fund available to students was announced.  Further details to follow.
• Daphne Shah aged 98 has recovered from COVID after treatment at Ninewells Hospital

UK Government announcements

• The Prime Minister spent last night in intensive care. He is said to have been given oxygen but not put on a ventilator. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab continues to deputise for the PM.
• Government suggested that there ‘could be a flattening off’ but was cautious and reiterated existing current distancing advice.

Other announcements

• Resolution Foundation estimates suggest that the UK Government’s Wage Support Scheme will cost £30-40 billion.  As much four times higher than originally estimated. 9 million workers expected to be covered.

More from Scottish Trade Union Congress here https://www.stuc.org.uk