MUSSELBURGH'S MSP has assured that the NHS has protections in place to stop potential fraudsters, as the coronavirus ‘Test and Protect’ programme goes live across the country.

Highlighting the role of contact tracers in the scheme, Colin Beattie said he understood that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams.

But he stressed: “The NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential.”

He said Test and Protect would help the Scottish Government to gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress Covid-19, so society could adapt to “a new normal.”

Those who experience any one of the symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss of or change to sense of smell or taste – must immediately self-isolate for a minimum of seven days.

As soon as they start showing symptoms they should go to www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange to be 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’ve been from 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms up until they self-isolated.

This information will then be input to contact tracing software and used to find 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.

The data gathered will be stored securely by NHS Scotland and safely destroyed as soon as possible after the pandemic concludes.

Mr Beattie, who also represents Midlothian North, added: “Contact tracers will introduce themselves, 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 will be 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 Midlothian and East Lothian.

“Trace and Protect is one way we will tackle this pandemic, but physical distancing and good hand hygiene continues to play a huge role as minimise the spread of infection.”