NHS Confederation - Shielded population out of their homes but not out of the woods

23 Jun 2020 10:11 AM

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, responded to the Government’s new shielding advice which will introduce changes in two stages, the first from 6 July 

“These gentle relaxations will be welcomed by the over two million individuals in England whose lives have been severely restricted in recent months.

“Shielding has not been without risk to these people’s physical and mental health. But it will be important for them and everyone else that they continue to exercise caution, and that the whole country continues to observe the recommended social distancing, face mask wearing, and other measures to protect this population as shielding restrictions ease.

“It will also be critical to ensure the rapid strengthening of the Test and Trace service, which is our frontline defence against the virus.

“The risk of a second surge is not over and we have seen elsewhere that the virus can return. So, while we understand and support measures to move back to a more normal existence, the watchwords for now must be eternal vigilance. The shielded population may be out of their homes but they are not out of the woods.”

Plans to ease guidance for over 2 million shielding