From Monday people can leave isolation on day six after a positive test.
Cutting the COVID-19 self-isolation period to five days could increase the risk of transmission to staff and patients, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.
It comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced in the Commons that the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 will be cut to five days, from seven.
From Monday, people will be able to leave isolation from the start of day six after two negative tests.
NursingNotes has seen internal correspondence from several NHS trusts who have made a decision not to reduce the isolation time for their staff.
Putting patients at risk.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Pat Cullen said: “By the government’s own estimate, almost a third of individuals are still infectious five days after symptoms starting.
“Health and care workers will fall into that group in large numbers and there can be minimal room for error or complacency.
“Current and growing workforce pressures must not drive a reduction in isolation requirements in an unsafe way.
“This change could increase the risk of transmission to other staff and patients. When providing close care, including to those with compromised immune systems, nursing staff must be confident that they are not putting patients at risk.”
