North MSP Gail Ross gives assurance over calls from Test and Protect contact tracers
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North MSP Gail Ross has assured her constituents that they need have no concerns over phone scams if they receive a call from a Covid-19 contact tracer.
She is keen to highlight the integrity of Test and Protect, Scotland’s approach to implementing the "test, trace, isolate, support" strategy.
Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, emphasised that contact tracers will not ask anyone for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell anything. The data gathered will be stored securely by NHS Scotland and safely destroyed as soon as possible after the pandemic.
“I understand that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams, but the NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential," she said.
“Contact tracers will introduce themselves, will state the reason for their call, and will always identify who they are calling by name. They will not ask for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything.
“The tracers are supported by software which builds on a tried and trusted platform, allowing teams to identify outbreaks and reduce transmission for high-risk groups here in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross."
She added: “Trace and Protect is one way we will tackle this pandemic, but physical distancing and good hand hygiene continue to play a huge role in minimising the spread of infection.”
Test and Protect was rolled out across Scotland at the end of May.
If you experience any one of the symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you must immediately self-isolate.
As soon as you start showing symptoms you should go to www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange to get tested.
When contacting individuals who have tested positive, contact tracers will ask people to identify others with whom they’ve been in close contact and places they have been 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms up until the time they’ve self-isolated. This information will then be added to contact tracing software and used to identify and contact those identified.
The positive individual will not be named by the contact tracer, in line with patient confidentiality, unless they agree to have their details disclosed to help the contact tracing process.
What people can expect when called by a contact tracer:
- Contact tracers will introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify the call recipient by name
- Contact tracers will only ask for information about your movements and the people you have been in close physical proximity to
- Contact tracers will not ask for personal information such as bank accounts or medical records and will not offer services to you, or try to sell you anything; they may send a text message or email to provide links to online guidance and support
A privacy statement about the use of information as part of contact tracing can be found on the NHS Scotland website .
