Guidance
Public Health Scotland publications
Public Health Scotland publications released after 16 March 2020 – including those relating to health protection data – are now published on the Public Health Scotland website. This includes all COVID-19 health protection guidance.
You can also view their forthcoming publications.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland publications
ARHAI Scotland publications published after April 2020 have been moved to the ARHAI Scotland website.
Browse guidance documents
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94 guidance documents matching your filter
- Toolkit for the early detection, management and control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Scottish acute settings 01 Dec 2019 Antimicrobial Resistance, Enterobacter, AMR, antimicrobial use',
- Guidance on use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza 08 Oct 2019 Seasonal Respiratory Pathogens, seasonal influenza, flu,
- Reference laboratory referral guide for confirmation of exceptional organism/antimicrobial resistance profiles 30 Aug 2019 Infection Control, Reference Laboratories, infection prevention, ref lab, labs, microbiology,
- Guidance to Support Opt-Out Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Testing in Scottish Prisons 04 Jul 2019 Bloodborne Viruses, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, BBV, blood borne viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses, HBV, Hep B, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses, HCV, Hep C, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses,
- Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Trigger Tool 27 Mar 2019 Infection Control, Clostridioides difficile Infection, infection prevention, CDI, CDAD, Clostridium difficile Infection, C diff Infection, C. diff Infection,
- Influenza Outbreak Control Measure Trigger Tool for Hospitals 27 Mar 2019 Infection Control, Outbreaks, infection prevention,
- MERS-CoV Primary Care Algorithm 21 Mar 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Respiratory diseases, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV,
- MERS-CoV Secondary Care Algorithm 21 Mar 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Respiratory diseases, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV,
- MERS-CoV Close Contact Algorithm 21 Mar 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Respiratory diseases, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV,
- MERS-CoV Information for Microbiologists and Virologists 21 Mar 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Respiratory diseases, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV,
- MERS-CoV Laboratory Testing Guidance Algorithm 21 Mar 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Reference Laboratories, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV, ref lab, labs, microbiology,
- Gas masks and asbestos - advice to schools 21 Mar 2019 Chemical and Environmental Incidents, Asbestos,
- Revised algorithm for assessing pregnant women with a history of travel during pregnancy to countries or areas with risk for Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission 01 Feb 2019 Travel Health, Zika virus, travel, travelling,
- Good Practice Guidance on HIV Prevention in Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) 22 Jan 2019 Bloodborne Viruses, HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, BBV, blood borne viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses, STI, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B, HBV, Hep B, Hepatitis C, HCV, Hep C, Human papillomavirus, HPV,
- Recommended Clean-Up Procedures Following Palytoxin Incidents 17 Jan 2019 Toxins, Environmental Public Health, Shellfish poisoning, EPH,
- Protocol for the Development of Consensus Based Recommendations 19 Dec 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Guidance for the Public Health Management of Escherichia coli O157 and other Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) infections 10 Dec 2018 Escherichia coli O157, Escherichia coli, ecoli O157, e coli O157, e.coli O157, e. coli O157, STEC, VTEC, shiga toxin, verotoxin, ecoli, e coli, e.coli, e. coli,
- SBAR: Joint SMVN/SHPN Public Health Microbiology advisory Statement for Influenza Point of Care Tests 21 Nov 2018 Influenza, Respiratory diseases, Reference Laboratories, flu, ref lab, labs, microbiology,
- Bat contact and rabies risk 06 Nov 2018 Rabies, Animal bites, animal bites, bat bites, Bat bites, post exposure treatment, rabies,
- Guidance for cost-sensitive HIV therapy prescribing in NHS Scotland 2018 update 25 Oct 2018 Bloodborne Viruses, HIV, BBV, blood borne viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses,
- Guidance for the control of measles incidents and outbreaks in Scotland 11 Sep 2018 Immunisation, Measles, Outbreaks, Vaccines, Vaccination, vaccines,
- Rabies: Guidance on Prophylaxis and Management in Humans in Scotland, 2013 02 Jul 2018 Rabies, Zoonoses, Vaccines, animal bites, bat bites, zoonotic, pasteurellosis, hantavirus, toxocariasis, trichinellosis, Pasteurella mutlocida, Toxocara canis, Visceral toxocariasis, Ocular toxocariasis, Covert toxocariasis, Trichinella,
- National Clinical Guidelines for the treatment of HCV in adults 05 Jun 2018 Bloodborne Viruses, Hepatitis C, BBV, blood borne viruses, HCV, Hep C, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI, Bloodborne Viruses, BBV, blood borne viruses,
- Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings (Day Care and Childminding Settings) 22 May 2018 Infection Control, infection prevention,
- Guidelines for the Public Health Management of Pertussis 03 May 2018 Whooping cough, Respiratory diseases, Bordetella pertussis, B. pertussis, B pertussis, pertussis,
- Best methods for removal and destruction of pathogens 19 Feb 2018 Decontamination,
- Evidence Based Guideline (EBG) Methodology 07 Feb 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Good Practice Guidance (GPG) Methodology 07 Feb 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Guidance Review and Update Methodology 07 Feb 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Review of External Guidance for Acceptability of Use in Scotland Methodology 07 Feb 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Protocol for the Rapid Development of Guidance 07 Feb 2018 Scottish Health Protection Network, SHPN,
- Roles & Responsibilities for Reusable Patient Care Equipment and Environmental Decontamination 25 Jan 2018 Decontamination,
- The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006 - Local Authority Implementation Guide 17 Jan 2018 Body Piercing, Environmental Public Health, Tattooing, body modification, microblading, microneedling, EPH, tattoos, tatoos, tatooing, body modification, micropigmentation, microblading, microneedling,
- Guidance on Vaccine Storage and Handling 29 Dec 2017 Immunisation, Vaccines, Vaccination, vaccines,
- E. coli O157 and other STEC infections - public information leaflet 17 Dec 2017 Escherichia coli O157, Zoonoses, ecoli O157, e coli O157, e.coli O157, e. coli O157, STEC, VTEC, shiga toxin, verotoxin, zoonotic, pasteurellosis, hantavirus, toxocariasis, trichinellosis, Pasteurella mutlocida, Toxocara canis, Visceral toxocariasis, Ocular toxocariasis, Covert toxocariasis, Trichinella,
- Guidance for use of the National Catheter Passport (NCP) 01 Dec 2017 Urinary Tract Infections, UTI,
- Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Health and Social Care Settings in Scotland 29 Sep 2017 Clostridioides difficile Infection, CDI, CDAD, Clostridium difficile Infection, C diff Infection, C. diff Infection,
- Guidance on Outbreaks Of Norovirus in Care Homes [Poster] 28 Sep 2017 Infection Control, Norovirus, Outbreaks, infection prevention, winter vomiting bug, winter vomiting virus,
- Guidance for the laboratory investigation, management and infection prevention and control for cases of Candida auris 01 Aug 2017 Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Infection Control, Candida auris, infection prevention, fungal infections,
- Standardisation of testing for Carbapenemase Producing Organisms (CPO) in Scotland 06 Jun 2017 Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR, antimicrobial use',
- Interim - Public Health Operational Guidelines for Typhoid and Paratyphoid (Enteric Fever) 01 May 2017 Paratyphoid, Typhoid, Salmonella paratyphi, S. paratyphi, S paratyphi, Salmonella typhi, S. typhi, S typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, S. paratyphi, S paratyphi,
- Guidelines for the public health management of tetanus, botulism or anthrax among people who use drugs 23 Mar 2017 Anthrax, Bloodborne Viruses, Botulism, Tetanus (Clostridium tetani), Brucella anthracis, B. anthracis, B anthracis, BBV, blood borne viruses, Clostridium botulinum, C. botulinum, C botulinum,
- MERS-CoV Information for Healthcare Professionals 20 Jan 2017 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Respiratory diseases, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV,
- Guidance for Decontamination of Semi-Critical Ultrasound Probes 05 Jan 2017 Decontamination, Infection Control, infection prevention,
- Public Health Action in Response to Detecting High Levels of Lead in Drinking-Water. Good Practice Guidance for Health Protection Teams in Scotland 15 Dec 2016 Environmental Public Health, Water Quality, Incident Response and Management, EPH,
- Ebola: Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Infection Prevention and Control Precautions Summary for the Hospital Setting 09 Dec 2016 Infection Control, Outbreaks, Travel Health, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Ebola, infection prevention, travel, travelling, VHF, dengue, ebola, yellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, vhf, viral haemorrhagic fever, viral hemorrhagic fever,
- Compendium of Organisational Outputs (Immunocompromised Individuals and specific disease) 21 Nov 2016 Immunisation, Vaccination, vaccines,
- Advice for Purchase of Required PPE for VHF Preparedness 01 Nov 2016 Health and Safety, Infection Control, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Ebola, infection prevention, VHF, dengue, ebola, yellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, vhf, viral haemorrhagic fever, viral hemorrhagic fever,
- General information to prepare for and manage norovirus in care settings 29 Sep 2016 Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Norovirus, Global Hand Hygiene Campaign, infection prevention, winter vomiting bug, winter vomiting virus,
- Patient Screening for Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) - Leaflets for Healthcare Workers and Patients 10 Aug 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Control, AMR, antimicrobial use', infection prevention,
- NICE Guideline: Tuberculosis (NG33) 01 Jan 2016 Tuberculosis, TB,
- Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI): Severe Case Investigation Tool & Guidance Framework 25 Nov 2015 Clostridioides difficile Infection, CDI, CDAD, Clostridium difficile Infection, C diff Infection, C. diff Infection,
- HPS Briefing Note on Products of Combustion: Toxins in Fire Smoke 14 Jul 2015 Air Quality, Environmental Public Health, Air Pollution, PM10, NO2, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, EPH,
- Guidance for Interpretation of PCR Assays for Verocytotoxigenic E. coli for Health Protection Teams and Microbiologists 26 Jun 2015 Escherichia coli O157, Gastrointestinal disease, ecoli O157, e coli O157, e.coli O157, e. coli O157, STEC, VTEC, shiga toxin, verotoxin, Gastro-intestinal, Gastro intestinal,
- Infection control advice: severe respiratory illness from novel or emerging pathogens (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and avian influenza) 01 Jun 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Avian Influenza, MERS-CoV, MERS CoV, Bird flu, avian flu,
- Investigation and management of possible human cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1, in returning travellers 10 Apr 2015 Avian Influenza, Respiratory diseases, Bird flu, avian flu,
- Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) referral and follow-up process algorithm for use by the Imported Fever Service (IFS) and Scottish National VHF Test Service (SNVTS) 22 Jan 2015 Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Ebola, VHF, dengue, ebola, yellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, vhf, viral haemorrhagic fever, viral hemorrhagic fever,
- Guideline on Management of Legionella Incidents, Outbreaks and Clusters in the Community 01 Nov 2014 Legionella, Outbreaks, Respiratory diseases, Legionella pneumophila, L. pneumophila, L pneumophila, legionellosis, Legionnaires' disease, Pontiac fever,
- Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Guidance for NHS boards in Scotland 01 Nov 2014 Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC),
- Bovine tuberculosis: Guidance on management of the public health consequences of tuberculosis in cattle and other animals (England) 01 Sep 2014 Scottish Health Protection Network, Tuberculosis, SHPN, TB,
- Urinary Tract Infection Surveillance for Use in Health and Social Care Facilities 07 Aug 2014 Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections, CAUTI,
- Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Surveillance for Acute Settings 07 Aug 2014 Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections, Surveillance, CAUTI,
- Interim Advice for the Diagnosis and Management of PVL-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections (PVL-S. aureus) 01 May 2014 Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, staph aureus, s aureus, s.aureus, s. aureus, staph aureus bacteraemia, s aureus bacteraemia, s.aureus bacteraemia, s. aureus bacteraemia, sab,
- Guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in the Investigation and Management of Zoonotic Disease in Scotland 01 May 2014 Zoonoses, Gastrointestinal and zoonotic disease, zoonotic, pasteurellosis, hantavirus, toxocariasis, trichinellosis, Pasteurella mutlocida, Toxocara canis, Visceral toxocariasis, Ocular toxocariasis, Covert toxocariasis, Trichinella, Gastro-intestinal, Gastro intestinal, zoonoses, zoonosis,
- Setting up surveillance 08 May 2013 Surgical Site Infection, Surveillance, SSI, surgery,
- Clinical Algorithm. Clinical Evaluation and Management of Drug Users with Possible Anthrax 15 Mar 2013 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Interim Clinical Guidance for the Management of Suspected Anthrax in Drug Users. Version 12.2 14 Mar 2013 Anthrax, Notifications of Infectious Diseases, Brucella anthracis,
- Guidance on Post-mortem Examination of Possible, Probable and Confirmed Cases of Anthrax 14 Mar 2013 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Risk Assessment for Forensic Investigation of Drug-related Anthrax 13 Mar 2013 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Malaria Surveillance Guidance Notification/Reporting of Malaria in Scotland-HPS Scottish Malaria Oversight Group Effective 01/01/2013 06 Feb 2013 Malaria, Travel Health, travel, travelling,
- Frequently asked questions for users of the recommended protocol for testing for Clostridium difficile and subsequent culture 19 Dec 2012 Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium difficile, cdiff, c diff, c.diff, c. diff,
- HPS Anthrax Questionnaire Drug related incidents in Scotland 11 Nov 2012 Anthrax, Notifications of Infectious Diseases, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) in Inland and Inshore Waters: Assessment and Minimisation of Risks to Public Health (Revised Guidance 2012) 12 Apr 2012 Blue Green Algae, Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae, BGA,
- Protocol for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in Urinary Isolates in Scotland 23 Dec 2011 Antimicrobial Resistance, Urinary Tract Infections, AMR, antimicrobial use', UTI,
- Surveillance of Central Venous Catheter Related Infection Protocol 31 Aug 2011 Surveillance, Central Venous Catheter (CVC),
- MRSA Screening - Information for patients 03 Aug 2011 MRSA Screening, meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,
- ECDC Technical Document: Operational guidance on rapid risk assessment methodology 01 Aug 2011 Outbreaks,
- Healthcare Associated Infections in European Long Term Care Facilities (HALT) Prevalence Study 2010 in Scotland 23 Jun 2011 Healthcare Associated Infection in Long Term Care Facilities (HALT), HALT,
- Guidance on Reporting of Equivocal Results for Clostridium difficile 19 Nov 2010 Clostridioides difficile, Surveillance, Clostridium difficile, cdiff, c diff, c.diff, c. diff,
- Checklists for Preventing and Controlling Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) 16 May 2010 Infection Control, Clostridioides difficile Infection, infection prevention, CDI, CDAD, Clostridium difficile Infection, C diff Infection, C. diff Infection,
- Laboratory investigation of possible anthrax in drug users 19 Jan 2010 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Infection Control Precautions during the Clinical Management of Drug Users with Probable or Confirmed Anthrax 18 Jan 2010 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, zoonotic,
- Guidance for obtaining faecal specimens from patients with diarrhoea 01 Jan 2009 Clostridioides difficile, Infection Control, Surveillance, Clostridium difficile, cdiff, c diff, c.diff, c. diff, infection prevention,
- Health Protection Scotland: Anthrax - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 03 Nov 2008 Anthrax, Zoonoses, Brucella anthracis, B. anthracis, B anthracis, zoonotic, pasteurellosis, hantavirus, toxocariasis, trichinellosis, Pasteurella mutlocida, Toxocara canis, Visceral toxocariasis, Ocular toxocariasis, Covert toxocariasis, Trichinella,
- National Surveillance System for Human Papillomavirus Infection and Related Disease in Scotland 01 Oct 2008 Human papillomavirus, HPV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI,
- Communicating with the Public About Health Risks 08 Sep 2008 Risk Communication,
- Pandemic Flu: Guidance for infection control in hospitals and primary care settings 19 Feb 2008 Infection Control, Outbreaks, Pandemic Influenza, Respiratory diseases, infection prevention,
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Reference Resource 01 Jan 2008 Environmental Public Health, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, EPH, CBRN, terrorism, suspect packages, white powder, deliberate release, chemical warfare, novichok, fourth generation agents, A-series nerve agents, organophosphorus compounds,
- Elemental mercury - HPS Guidance Note 01 Oct 2007 Chemical and Environmental Incidents, Environmental Public Health, EPH,
- Asbestos - HPS Guidance Note 01 Oct 2007 Asbestos, Environmental Public Health, EPH,
- Neighbourhood Noise - HPS Guidance Note 01 Oct 2007 Environmental Public Health, Noise, EPH,
- Statutory Nuisance - HPS Guidance Note 01 Oct 2007 Environmental Public Health, Noise, Nuisance, EPH,
- Health Protection Framework for the response to an influenza pandemic in Scotland. Version 2.6 01 Dec 2006 Pandemic Influenza,
- The identification and management of outbreaks of norovirus infection in tourists and leisure industry settings - guide for NHS boards and local authorities 01 Apr 2005 Norovirus, Outbreaks, winter vomiting bug, winter vomiting virus,