Health board moves to assure parents
NHS Tayside has issued reassurance to parents and carers who have concerns about their child’s health but are reluctant to go with them to hospital due to the COVID-19 infection risk.
Advice and treatment is available from local health services for anyone who becomes unwell or injured.
Clinical lead for paediatrics at NHS Tayside, Dr Helen Dunne, said: “During this uncertain time of home isolation, we wish to reassure people that local healthcare services are available to see your child if you are concerned.
“Fortunately, very few children will develop serious illness due to COVID-19, but during this time, children may become ill with other things and we want you to know we are still here to help.
“Families have told us they are worried that if they come in to hospital they will catch coronavirus, that the NHS is too busy just now or that they won’t be able to stay with their child if they are admitted to hospital.
“We want to reassure them that we will do all we can to prevent the spread of infection and we have both COVID and nonCOVID areas for children in all of our healthcare settings.
“We will try to give advice by telephone to save people having to leave home, but if we do need to see your child, we can do this safely.
“We know people have been following government advice to stay home to protect the NHS and we thank them for this, however we are still open and if your child is sick, it’s important to come to hospital to have them seen.
“Restrictions have been put in place on visiting hospitals but this does not apply to parents staying with unwell children. One parent or carer can currently stay with their child at a time.”
“We would also like to reassure you that our vitally important health visitors, immunisation teams and child protection teams are continuing to offer their services in the safest possible way.”
Parents or carers of a child known to one of NHS Tayside’s paediatric specialist services should contact their specialist nurse as they would do usually.
GP surgeries are open as normal, however to help minimise the spread of COVID-19, the advice is to call your practice rather than attending in person.
If your GP practice is closed, then call 111 as usual. Parents and carers will be given advice over the phone and, if necessary, an appointment can be arranged to see a doctor.
In an emergency call 999 or attend the emergency department.
The following websites and guidance may help you decide who to contact: www.nhsinform.scot www.nhsinform.scot/ coronavirus
www.rcpch.ac.uk/ resources/ covid-19-resourcesparents-carers