Information and Advice

Throughout the Coronavirus epidemic you can access all the information you need through:

• Our 9am-5pm FREEPHONE line on:  0800 980 0501 connecting you with our Support Network Officers, our Advice and Advocacy Team and our SCI Nurses.
• Regularly developed and updated information, advice and support in relation to Coronavirus and SCI people below from our experts and specialist nurses
• Regular updates on anything that is advised by statutory bodies that is relevant to you and your SCI.

Recent updates

• Reduction in shielding
• Public Health England guidance on use of PPE
• Face mask exemptions – helpful article from Disability Horizons

General Information

• What does Coronavirus mean to me as an SCI person?
• What to do if you experience symptoms of fever and respiratory infection 
• Should SCI people be considered ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’ in light of the Coronavirus epidemic and guidance published by the Government and NHS?
• Information and advice to promote and improve your mental wellbeing by Dr Jane Duff
• Support available for SCI people from NHS Volunteers

View more video advice and information from our SCI Specialist Nurses and our Peer Support Team on our YouTube, Spinal Injuries.

What if I am admitted to hospital

If you are admitted to hospital as an emergency,  an Emergency Care Plan can help to ensure that you get the right care.  Our SCI Nurse Specialists will help you to complete a plan to ensure that you have one prepared in advance should the need arise.  To request this support please fill in a referral form  or call 0800 980 0501. More information about our Emergency Care and Personal Care Plans.

• What is Critical Care Triage and why do I need to know about it? Find out all about the prioritisation process for treatment and care in acute medical settings if resources like beds and ventilators become limited due to the number of people already being cared for.

SIA, working with partners and allies, has successfully lobbied the government to change the Covid-19 Hospital Visitor Guidance to ensure that people are able to have their PAs accompany them if they need to go into hospital for any reason during the pandemic. Download the updated guidance.

Care arrangements

• How might Coronavirus impact on my care arrangements?
• How does my PA get tested for Coronavirus?
• NHS Continuing Healthcare –  information about the impact of the COVID-19 emergency measures on NHS CHC.
• Information from Skills for Care for individuals in receipt of a personal budget from health or social care.
• SIA continue to engage with the Department of Health to obtain the government’s most up to date advice for those in receipt of a social care package during the Coronavirus outbreak. These FAQ’s on the Department of Health website may help address some of the concerns our members are experiencing, particularly around supermarket shopping and who can provide care if a PA is off sick.
• The Department of Health and Social Care has published specific guidance for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as Local Authorities, Clinical Commissioning Groups and those who provide care and support. There’s also a Q&A document, that directly responds to questions and concerns previously raised by direct payment holders, personal assistants, and charities and organisations that support them.

For Healthcare Professionals

• Advice to Healthcare Professionals – framework advice for all professionals in a non-specialist medical setting about care for people with an SCI
• SIA’s continued support of NHS Services

• BASCIS (British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists) clinical practice guidance about the management of SCI patients during the Coronavirus epidemic.
  

We will continue to offer additional real-time advice from government, ourselves or partners through our Facebook and Twitter pages.