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New survey findings outline impact and experience of shielding

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 30th March 2022

Public Health Scotland have published findings on the COVID-19 shielding programme in Scotland.

Public Health Scotland have today launched the findings of a survey exploring the impact and experience of the COVID-19 shielding programme in Scotland.

The Scottish Government introduced the shielding programme in March 2020 to protect those individuals at the highest risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 infection. Shielding was paused on 31 July 2020. Since then, the Scottish Government has continued to provide guidance and support to individuals at the highest risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 infection.

In January 2021, Public Health Scotland published findings from a survey of the shielding group, covering the period between March and August 2020. Between 25 October and 7 November 2021, Public Health Scotland organised a second online survey of the highest risk group. The new report presents the findings from this second survey.

Key findings

  • Survey respondents reported ongoing negative impacts on their confidence when leaving their home (82%), the amount of physical activity they do (77%), and their quality of life (76%).
  • Respondents reported ongoing worry and caution. 81% of respondents still make decisions that are mainly influenced by fear of COVID-19 infection, and 36% still try to minimise all physical contact with other households.
  • 77% of respondents agreed that being included on the highest risk list has made them feel supported.
  • However, some population groups were less likely to have felt supported, including those who are socioeconomically more vulnerable, under 65, living with children in their household, providing unpaid care, living with an impairment, or severely immunosuppressed or immunocompromised.

Recommendations

Going forward, more targeted guidance and additional support are likely to be helpful. When making decisions about the next steps, it will be important to:

  • involve individuals with lived experience of being in the highest risk group
  • to consider socioeconomic vulnerability as well as clinical vulnerability

You can read the full report on Public Health Scotland’s website (this link will take you away from our website).

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