Support to Travellers Self Isolating during Covid-19 in the South East 23rd April 2020
Introduction
Self isolation means people must stay at home/in one location and avoid contact with other people, including those in their own household. The HSE Social Inclusion Department will liaise with the Department of Public Health for guidance on the most appropriate and practical way for individuals/families to self isolate taking all factors into account, eg living arrangements, family circumstances (child and adult dependents) etc.
Please refer to the HSE Covid-19 guidance on Self Isolation (link below) for more information. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html
Testing
A person will be referred for testing by their GP. If they have transport, they will be referred to the local test centre. If not, they should advise their GP and they will be referred by their GP for testing by the National Ambulance Service in their own home.
If a member of the Traveller Community has been referred for testing to one of the test centres, the Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator should contact the Regional Co-ordinator for Traveller Health, who will arrange to have that test booked in as soon as possible.
If a person has been tested for Covid-19, they will be informed of their test results either by text (if it is negative) or by the Department of Public Health (if it is positive).
Pathway
If a Traveller has been advised to self isolate either by a GP, hospital, test centre or Department of Public Health, a decision will be taken following discussion between the relevant health professional and the family regarding how best to do this, with input from the local authority where the family is a tenant of the local authority and where the self isolation option involves a local authority facility.
A person may be advised to self isolate alone, or as part of a family group.
Contact tracing
An important part of preventing the spread of Covid 19 virus is to identify people that the person may have been in contact with in the 48 hours prior to symptoms arising and advise them that they have been in contact with a person who is confirmed/presumed Covid positive. This is called contact tracing. A staff member from the Public Health Department will contact the person after they have been diagnosed to identify people that they have been in contact with.
Page 2
Self Isolation Accommodation
If the person is in a position to self-isolate at home away from everyone, this will be managed by the person themselves. The guidelines outlined in the link above should be followed.
If a person is advised to self-isolate as part of a family unit, and if their accommodation and facilities are adequate, this should be managed by the family themselves. The guidelines outlined in the link above should be followed. However, additional supports may be provided through the local Traveller Health Projects.
If a person or family are asked to self-isolate and their accommodation is not suitable for this, a multi-agency approach will be taken to find the most appropriate option.
Support with Self Isolation Accommodation
Once the HSE Social Inclusion Department becomes aware that self isolation accommodation is required outside of the existing living arrangements, they will contact the Director of Housing in the relevant Local Authority. The following local authority-provided options will be considered:
Additional accommodation to be sought as close to the family home as possible, eg a serviced demountable being added to a halting site. Offsite accommodation to be sourced for the duration of the self-isolation period.
The Local Authority will work with the family to arrange for the relocation.
Transport may be requested to the off-site self-isolation unit and this will be co-ordinated by the HSE.
Support
The HSE Social Inclusion Office will contact the Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator in the relevant location to liaise with the family. The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator’s role is to provide practical and emotional support to the person who is self-isolating. The Co- ordinator has no clinical responsibility for the person. Each individual must refer to their GP for clinical advice as required. The Co-ordinator will support the individual/family in relation to the following:
Assistance with essential supplies, eg food, hygiene products etc, including organising meals on wheels if required. Advice in relation to self-isolation, hand hygiene, management of laundry, disposal of refuse, social distancing etc. Advice to the person/family in relation to managing their symptoms and knowing when to seek additional clinical advice. The Co-ordinator is not responsible for their clinical care. Support with re-arranging any legal or medical appointments.
Page 3
Support with managing mental health and wellbeing, including relevant contact numbers and signposting.
The Traveller Health Project will provide ongoing support by telephone (at least once daily) using the checklist below as a guide, and will liaise with the necessary agencies as required. The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator will be the key link between the individual/family and the relevant agencies.
Prescriptions
Management of prescriptions remains the responsibility of the individual. The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator may support the individual/family to make the necessary arrangements for a friend/family member/volunteer to collect any prescriptions.
Interagency and Interdepartmental Working
An interagency and interdepartmental approach will be taken to the management of cases on an individual basis and may include all or any of the following: GP, HSE Social Inclusion Department, HSE Primary Care Department, HSE Mental Health Department, HSE Public Health Department, HSE Public Health Nursing Department, Local Authorities, Gardai etc.
Reporting
The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator will link with the HSE Social Inclusion Department on a daily basis in relation to any issues relating to the self-isolation period.
End of Isolation Period
The HSE Department of Public Health will advise as to when the period of self-isolation should conclude.
The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator will reinforce the necessary messages around proper hygiene, social distancing, laundry etc.
If a person is leaving an off-site or temporary self-isolation unit, the Local Authority will arrange for the accommodation to be deep cleaned.
Page 4
Appendix
Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator – Daily Check List
Yes/No Notes How are you feeling today? Are you feeling any better/worse/the same than yesterday? (If you or the person feels concerned about their health status, please advise them to contact their GP/Out of Hours GP. Emergency services can be contacted 24/7 in emergency situations) See note below Are you sleeping ok? Are you eating? Are you drinking enough water? Do you have someone you can talk to by phone? (If not, please signpost to relevant service – see below) Have you enough food in the house? Are you ok with your medication? Have you arranged for someone to collect your next prescription? Are you managing your laundry ok? Are you managing your rubbish ok? Any follow up required? Any other concerns? Date of call Time of call Names of people on the call Date/time of next call
The Traveller Health Project Co-ordinator’s role is to provide practical and emotional support to the person who is self-isolating. The Co-ordinator has no clinical responsibility for the person. Each individual must refer to their GP for clinical advice as required.
Page 5
Contact Numbers
Care Doc: 1850 33 49 99 Emergency Services number: 999 or 112 Traveller Helpline: Phone or text 083 100 6 300 HSE Helpline on 1850 24 1850 ALONE : 01 2233632Ded01 223 3632 Sunday 9am – 5pm Samaritans 116 123
Women’s Aid National Helpline on 1800 341 900
Local Authority Community Call helpline numbers
Local Authority Community Response Number
1800 500000 Kilkenny County Council
Waterford City and County Council 1800 250 185
Carlow County Council 1800 814 300
Wexford County Council 053 919 6000
Tipperary County Council 0761 06 5000
Page 6