Please note that the following information applies to Scotland (06/04/20).

NHS Inform

NHS inform is currently hosting a significant amount of information on COVID-19 (the coronavirus) including a self-help guide to check your symptoms and get advice.
Go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

The Scottish Government, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS 24 have been working together to provide translations of COVID-19 information. This is being translated into Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Polish, Romanian, Czech/Slovak, Spanish, Urdu and British Sign Language (BSL).

Easy read and audio versions will also be available.

 

Translated information will be available under five headings:

• General advice – overview
  The English text is available here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-general-advice
• General advice – Common Questions
  The English text is available here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-general-advice#common-questions
• Stay at home advice
  The English text is available here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-infection
• Social distancing
  The English text is available here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-social-distancing

• Shielding
  The English text is available here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-shielding

 

Translations (including COVID 19) are published on NHS inform – go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/translations

BSL videos are on NHS inform YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nhsinform) and embedded on NHS inform. Go to www.nhsinform.scot/translations/languages/british-sign-language-bsl/illnesses-and-conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 – BSL users can go to the dedicated short URL (www.nhsinform.scot/BSL) to find all the BSL translations (including COVID-19)

Easy read resources are published here on NHS inform www.nhsinform.scot/translations/formats/easy-read/coronavirus-covid-19

There is also a section for professionals with COVID-19 translated posters for download, as well as a communications toolkit. Go to:

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-professionals

Please keep checking NHS inform for the most up-to-date quality assured information in English, translated and in alternative formats.
Go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

 

NHS Inform want everyone who visits the website to feel welcome and able to find information whatever their circumstance.

To do this they have:

• designed the website to be accessible and usable for everyone
• provided alternative text and subtitles for media content (where appropriate)
• written in plain English – making information easy to read and understand
• used Browsealoud, a free tool for reading and listening to information from your browser on any device.

Please see the Accessibility page for more information

 

How to access NHS 24 services

NHS 24 staff are also looking to introduce a SMS messaging service, Chat Bot, and web chat, initially on the COVID-19 helpline ( 0800 028 2816) and intend to provide more information on this soon.

The Relay UK service provides a centralised relay service for people who are deaf and without speech. This can be accessed by the app or by text phone. Of note, the operators also answer 999 emergency calls. You can call  NHS 24’s 111 service (18001 111) or NHS inform (18001 0800 22 44 88) or for Emergency 999 calls the number is 18000, using this relay service.

contactSCOTLAND –BSL service can be accessed by people who are Deaf or deafblind and use BSL. The contactSCOTLAND-BSL staff are fully aware of NHS 24 services, including the COVID-19 helpline (The  NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service is available in England and Wales).

 

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

If you’ve developed a new, continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the start of your symptoms, even if you think your symptoms are mild. Do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital.

You should phone 111 if:

• your symptoms worsen during home isolation, especially if you’re in a high or extremely high risk group
• breathlessness develops or worsens, particularly if you’re in a high or extremely high risk group
• your symptoms haven’t improved in 7 days
• If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Image description:

Coronavirus, wash yourhands more often for 20 seconds. Use soap and water or a hand sanitiser when you: Get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, east or handle food. Coronavirus, protect yourself and others. Find out more at nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

Hope you are all feeling well, we know there are a lot of public health worries just now.

You may have seen lots of different views about the covid-19 virus.
There is a lot of information out there about what to do to stay healthy.

Deafblind Scotland’s top priority is to continue to provide the best service possible to Deafblind people. To make sure that no one becomes more isolated.

We will do everything possible to make sure you can continue to use the Guide Communicator service. Guide Communicators are still working.

If you are feeling lonely you can contact the DbS office phone or text new number 07715 421 399 between the hours of 10am-2pm or email.

You can still contact the DbS in your normal way. The new number is to help you not feel so lonely.

All activities at DbS Centre have been stopped until after Easter. Please do not come to the DbS Centre. After Easter we will let you know when activities are starting again.

For the time being, people over 70 years and people with underlying health conditions are strongly advised to self-isolate and stay at home. We know this is very difficult

If you are using the guide communicator service and you have no symptoms we will work hard to provide a service.
Support is limited to medical appointments, shopping and home visiting.
If you have any questions please do contact the guide/communicator service.

The situation is changing daily, please keep informed through the Scottish Government and NHS Inform www.nhsinform.scot

We know this may feel very isolating we are here to help you, we will try to help make this time less stressful. You can contact DBS for help.

Take care everyone and remember we are here for you.

Please see our BSL video of this message below: