The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) issued a letter on 9 August, 2023 providing an update on changes to Scottish Government testing which set out a pause on routine testing with the exception of patients being discharged from hospital to care homes and hospices. This is to remind staff that the previous testing guidance remains in place for this cohort of patients.
In line with the national guidance, asymptomatic patients should have a negative LFD test available prior to discharge from hospital to a care home (preferably within 48 hours of discharge). The table below provides further information:
| SYMPTOMS/COVID-19 STATUS | ADMISSION FROM HOSPITAL |
| Symptomatic
 |
If symptoms develop prior to admission – clinical risk assessment including PCR or LFD test
Liaise with care home to discuss prior to transfer |
| Asymptomatic
 |
1 negative LFD (available preferably within 48 hrs prior to discharge from hospital)
This includes known contact with COVID-19 case |
| COVID-19 recovered
 |
If asymptomatic or symptoms resolving/ & completed 10-day isolation, no further testing required
1 negative LFD If 10-day isolation not complete (preferably within 48hrs of discharge) and risk assessment
|
Prior to admission, whether from a healthcare or community setting, respiratory screening questions should always be asked of the service user or their carer. These are outlined in the Respiratory Screening Questions Aide (scot.nhs.uk) and can inform admission risk assessment.
A decision on admission and any self-isolation requirements must involve the care home manager. The Health Protection Team can support a risk assessment if required to support discharge from hospital
