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White Powder Incident

Members of the public who have been exposed to a suspect biological agent should receive an initial 10 days’ ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis against anthrax, plague, tularaemia or other biological agent (unless contraindicated – doxycycline is an alternative – see below). This is a precaution until laboratory results for the agent are known. Initial and follow-up treatments can be provided under the emergency PGDs below.

Anthrax – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Tularemia – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Plague – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Anthrax – children under 12 yrs

Tularemia- children under 12 yrs

Plague – children under 12 yrs

NHSGGC Authorisation Forms for PGDs

Exposure to Radiactive Iodine – adults and children 

Measles

Measles is a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.

Measles should be considered if the patient has:

  • Fever ≥38°C AND
  • Generalised maculopapular rash AND
  • Either cough, coryza or conjunctivitis (ref HPS)

GPs should take a throat swab as soon as possible when measles is clinically suspected. The swab should be expressed into the Viral PCR Sample Solution vial (VPSS) and sent off to the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre at the GRI.  If VPSS is not available, swabs can be cut off and sent dry in a sterile container. This should be avoided whenever possible as the virus remains infectious and sensitivity is reduced. VPSS inactivates and preserves the pathogen genome for PCR testing.

TrakCare item: Adult maculopapular rash – virus PCR – Set (See WoSSVC under Rash testing – maculopapular)

TrakCare item: Paediatric maculopapular rash – virus PCR – Set 

GP electronic request (ICE / EMIS / Vision) item: Maculopapular rash PCR-current infection

Measles Communication

Letter 1

Letter 2

Notification

GPs should notify the PHPU Health Protection Nurse by calling 0141 201 4917  

On notification, the HPN will assess the individual epidemiological features of the case: –

Immunisation history –  any known vaccination history or history of measles?     (The vaccine effectiveness of a single dose of MMR is around 90% and approximately 95% for two doses.  Although vaccine failure is rare, it can occur, particularly after a single dose)

Travel – any travel within and outside the UK during the incubation period, with an assessment of whether travel was in an area where measles is known to be circulating?

Ethnic and cultural/religious background – are there details on the patient’s ethnicity, and importantly, whether the patient is a member of an under-vaccinated population group (e.g. Charedi Orthodox Jewish community, Steiner community)?

Epidemiological link – is there a known epidemiological link with another laboratory or epidemiologically confirmed case?

WHO Measles Surveillance

If the PHPU clinician agrees that the case meets the definition of a possible measles, an oral fluid kit (MMR salivary kit) for IgM testing will be sent out – previously sent to GP surgeries, these are now being posted from the PHPU directly to patients/parents/guardians who are requested to forward the sample directly to PHE Colindale using the labelled packaging supplied. MMR kits, which meet the WHO requirements of measles investigation to satisfy elimination criteria, are sent out even if PCR testing is negative.

Exclusion of a confirmed case

People with confirmed measles should be excluded from their usual place of work or study or from shared childcare facilities or any other shared space until at least four days after the rash has developed. The case should be advised to self isolate and to avoid contact with vulnerable groups during this time. For more info click on link

MUMPS

Mumps is a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.  

Oral fluid testing (MMR salivary kit) for suspected mumps cases ceased on 1st April 2018.  

Mumps can be diagnosed clinically. However, if a GP is keen to have laboratory confirmation of suspected mumps cases, the PCR test is available from the WoSSVC.  A buccal (inner cheek) mouth swab should be expressed into the VPSS vial and sent off to the WoSSVC (GRI).  When Viral PCR Sample Solution (VPSS) is not available, swabs can be cut off and sent dry in a sterile container.  

TrakCare item:  Mumps PCR – current infection

GP electronic request (ICE / EMIS / Vision) item: Mumps PCR – current infection

Ordering VPSS

Please email the WoSSVC (west.ssvc@nhs.net ) to order Viral PCR solution (VPSS) and include:

  1. The requesting location address (inc. the postcode)
  2. The number of VPSS vials required
  3. Name, telephone number and email address of a contact in case of questions regarding the order 

Alternatively requests for VPSS can be made via the office 0141 201 8722.

Thinking about coming to Weigh to Go but not sure what to expect? Hear about other young people’s experiences and the changes they made after coming to the programme on the NHS YouTube channel.

Jack’s Story

Maria’s Story

Lewis’ Story

Elaine’s Story

A total of 271 cases of TB were reported in Scotland in 2018.

127 of these were in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

This represents an annual incidence of 5.0 cases per 100,000 population for Scotland overall and  10.8 per 100,000 within NHS GGC.

There has been a 46% decrease in the annual number of cases reported in Scotland since 2010.

Approximately 60% of all the TB cases in Scotland were born outside of the UK.

The risk factors for developing TB among the indigenous population of Greater Glasgow and Clyde include deprivation, homelessness, and drug and alcohol misuse.

TB commonly infects the lungs and respiratory tract, but it can infect almost any part of the body. The symptoms of TB vary, depending on which part of the body is infected. 

For more info click on the HPS link

NHSGGC TB Liaison Nurses

NHSGGC has 4 TB Liaison Nurses who are responsible for the case management of patients diagnosed with TB. A patient is  assigned  to a TB nurse by postcode, each nurse being responsible for an area within NHSGGC.   

Primary care staff who require any advice regarding TB or guidance about screening potential contacts of a TB case should call the TB Liaison Nurse responsible for the individual’s postcode area. The TB nurse will advise if any action has to be taken. Enquiries about a patient’s TB medication should also be directed to the responsible nurse. 

TB nurses will identify close contacts of a TB case and organise Mantoux testing or Chest X Ray.  They are also responsible for administering BCG vaccine to both children and adults.  

TB leaflets

If travelling abroad go to the Fit For Travel website for travel health information.

School trips – travel guidance

Please note the Health Protection Scotland Travel Health Guidance Aug 2017 for children on school trips (Version 4 still current in 2018) 

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis and post travel screening 

It is important that all travellers to tropical destinations – including pupils or students on cultural exchange trips – receive accurate travel health advice. A range of travel health issues should be considered for these groups including the risk of exposure to schistosomiasis. The PHPU was recently involved in the coordination of post travel screening for two separate school parties. In addition, NHS Highland public health reported an incident where 21 students required to be screened after one of the party presented to urology with haematuria and a history of exposure to untreated water in Malawi; 13 tested positive for schistosomiasis and of those only two were symptomatic. The incident and conclusions were reported in Journal of Public Health Advance Access, published online in December. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection which is present in fresh water in many tropical countries, especially African countries. It is contracted following exposure to untreated fresh water including swimming, paddling, washing, and showering. It is usually asymptomatic but an itchy rash, swimmers itch, can occur at the site of entry. Two to four weeks later fever, diarrhoea, cough, or a rash may develop. Long standing infection can lead to bowel, liver, kidney and bladder problems including bladder cancer.

Travellers are advised to seek pre-travel health advice and, to allow accurate advice to be given, should provide the clinician with as much information as possible about the trip, including arrangements for washing and showering. Travellers to endemic areas should be advised not to bathe, swim or wade in freshwater lakes or rivers.

Those intending to wash or shower, as well as those who swim or paddle, in untreated fresh water will need post-travel screening for schistosomiasis and they should be advised at the pre-travel consultation to attend for screening 8 weeks after return. Screening requires a serum sample – 5mls clotted blood in either a red or yellow-topped tube – obtained after a minimum of 8 weeks since last exposure to be sent to the Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory. This is the shortest time it takes for worms to mature, reproduce and lay eggs. The test examines levels of Schistosoma antibodies. Results for any new positive cases are phoned directly by the Consultant Clinical Scientist to the GP and a written report is issued for all positive and negative tests. Serologically positive patients should be referred to an infectious disease physician at the Brownlee where further investigation and treatment will be carried out.

Other useful links for advice/information are listed below:-

Select your area to find your local Weigh to Go venue

East Dunbartonshire

Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
10 Saramago Street
Kirkintilloch
G66 3BF
Tuesdays

East Renfrewshire

Eastwood Health & Care Centre
Drumby Crescent
G76 7HN
Fortnightly Mondays

Barrhead Health & Care Centre
213 Main Street
Barrhead
G78 1SW
Fortnightly Mondays

Glasgow North East

Easterhouse Health Centre
9 Auchinlea Road
G34 9HQ
Mondays

Springburn Health Centre
420 Old Shettleston Road
G32 7JZ
Thursdays

Glasgow North West

Drumchapel Health Centre
80/90 Kinfauns Drive
G15 7TS
Tuesdays

Maryhill Health & Care Centre
51 Gairbraid Avenue
G20 8BZ
Thursdays

Possilpark Health & Care Centre
99 Saracen Street
G22 5AP
Wednesdays

Glasgow South

Pollok Health Centre
21 Cowglen Road
G53 6EQ
Mondays

Elderpark Clinic
20 Arklet Road
Glasgow
G51 3XR
Tuesdays

Castlemilk Health Centre
Dougrie Drive
Castlemilk
G45 9AW
Thursdays

New Gorbals Health & Care Centre
2 Sandiefield Road
Glasgow
G5 9AB
Thursdays

Inverclyde

Greenock Health & Care Centre
Wellington Street
PA15 4NH
Alternate Wednesdays

Inverclyde Community Development Trust
7 1/2 John Wood Street
PA14 5HU
Alternate Wednesdays

Renfrewshire

Ferguslie Clinic
Tannahill Centre
76 Blackstoun Road
PA3 1NT
Thursdays

West Dunbartonshire

Vale Centre for Health and Care
Main Street
G83 0UA
Fortnightly Tuesdays

Clydebank Health & Care Centre
Queens Quay Main Avenue
G81 1BS
Fortnightly Tuesdays

Weigh to Go Locations
Weigh to Go Resources
Contact Weigh to Go
Young People’s Stories

What is Weigh to Go?

  • A service for young people who are overweight and want to lose or manage their weight
  • For 12-15 year olds for 24 weeks support from a nurse-led programme.
  • For 16-18 year olds can have free access to Slimming World and nurse support at key intervals in the programme
  • Sustainable change through healthy eating and exercise

Who is it for?

  • Young people who live in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area (e.g. East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire)
  • Aged 12 to 18 years
  • BMI greater than 25

How can I access Weigh To Go?

Simply phone us on 0141 451 2727 to make an appointment or follow the link above to complete our contact form.

Health Protection Scotland has produced a national guidance document on the prevention and control of infection in childcare settings. This guidance was updated in 2018. The guidance is for childminders and staff working within nurseries, day-care centres, playgroups, crèches, children’s centres, after-school and holiday clubs. It should also be used by staff involved in all outdoor activities for children. 

Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings 2018  

For a quick guide to the exclusion criteria for children in the settings above please click on the link. This Guidance can be downloaded and laminated for display in relevant areas. 

For further information/advice please call 0141 201 4927 or email PHPU@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Novovirus 

The 2018 HPS national guidance documents and resource pack for care home staff responsible for the prevention and control of Norovirus cases are listed below: 

Flu 

The 2018 HPS national guidance documents and resource pack for care home staff responsible for the prevention and control of cases of influenza are listed below:

Invasive Group A Strep

Interim UK guidelines for management of close community contacts of invasive group A streptococcal disease – 2004 (still current in 2019)

Community guidance on management of invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).  Outbreaks of GAS infection in nursing homes have been reported. Prevention of the spread of iGAS is especially important because of the high mortality rate in this population. See PHPU Newsletter Feb 2019 for more info on iGAS in NHSGGC  

Clostridium difficile

Protocol for clostridium difficile testing which includes recommendations for sample selection, sample storage and transportation, and testing protocol

Carbapenemase-producing Enterbacteriaceae

This guidance contains a set of recommendations and practical advice to reduce the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in non-acute and community settings in Scotland 

Updated Feb 2019

National Infection control manual
National infection and control manual

The NHSScotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual was first published on 13 January 2012. It is an evidence based National Infection Prevention and Control (NIP&C) Manual for Scotland and is intended to be used by all those involved in care provision. 

The manual contains information on Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs), Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), Healthcare Infection incidents, outbreaks and data exceedance. It is mandatory for NHS Scotland and considered best practice in all other care settings. It should be adopted for all infection prevention and control practices and procedures

Infection prevention and control powerpoint training slides
Clostridium difficile –  PHPU Presentation slides 2017
National Guidance for Safe Management of Linen in NHS Scotland

This national guidance, is complemented by the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual Chapter 1 – Standard Infection Control Precautions – which covers safe management of linen at care area level. It is a useful resource for care homes when formulating policy and procedures governing safe management of linen within their facility. 

National Guidance for Safe Management of Linen in NHS Scotland
Patient Information Leaflets

Influenza vaccination leaflets

Norovirus

MRSA (meticillin resistant staphylococcus aureus)

Clostridium difficile advice leaflets

(CPE) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae advice leaflets

HPS compendium of Healthcare Associated Infection Guidance 2019

The HAI Compendium contains links to current national policy and guidance on HAI, antimicrobial prescribing and resistance, decontamination and other related topics. The compendium aims to provide NHSScotland staff with an overview of all up to date guidance from stakeholders/organisations. 

The Compendium includes links to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) which is the mandatory practice guide for all NHSScotland care settings. As well as the practice guide for Standard Infection Control Precautions, Transmission Based Precautions and HAI Incidents and Outbreaks it includes supporting materials such as literature reviews, tools and posters. The NIPCM can be accessed on a standalone website.