Written Question · S5W-28628 · Session 5
What discussions it has had with the funeral sector regarding safety procedures and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) an…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the funeral sector regarding safety procedures and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and body bags during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The answer
The Scottish Government understands the importance of protecting the funeral industry from the risk of infectious transmission of COVID-19 via contact with the deceased.
We have had, and continue to have, regular weekly discussions with the funeral industry in order that we may support them as best we can, including on PPE supplies and type and usage of body bags.
We have been working very closely with stakeholders from across the funeral industry to ensure they have access to the most up to date information relevant to them, including guidance from Health Protection Scotland, and information from the Royal College of Pathologists, which outlines the PPE required for care of the deceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have proactively published our own guidance for funeral directors and burial and cremation authorities , which includes the use of appropriate PPE for infection control and usage of body bags, to further help these organisations manage their services during the current pandemic.
The Scottish Government is working at pace with the private sector to secure long term supply for the funeral industry, as well as for other non-public sector organisations which need to access PPE to deliver essential public services. To support funeral directors who need PPE immediately, we are putting in place arrangements to allow them to access health care supplies of PPE until a longer term solution is in place.
The Scottish Government will continue to work with the sector to ensure that we have a full understanding of their requirements in relation to PPE.
We have had, and continue to have, regular weekly discussions with the funeral industry in order that we may support them as best we can, including on PPE supplies and type and usage of body bags.
We have been working very closely with stakeholders from across the funeral industry to ensure they have access to the most up to date information relevant to them, including guidance from Health Protection Scotland, and information from the Royal College of Pathologists, which outlines the PPE required for care of the deceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have proactively published our own guidance for funeral directors and burial and cremation authorities , which includes the use of appropriate PPE for infection control and usage of body bags, to further help these organisations manage their services during the current pandemic.
The Scottish Government is working at pace with the private sector to secure long term supply for the funeral industry, as well as for other non-public sector organisations which need to access PPE to deliver essential public services. To support funeral directors who need PPE immediately, we are putting in place arrangements to allow them to access health care supplies of PPE until a longer term solution is in place.
The Scottish Government will continue to work with the sector to ensure that we have a full understanding of their requirements in relation to PPE.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-28628 by reference.