CORONAVIRUS isolation rules on mental health wards are being "looked at again" by the Scottish Government, the Health Secretary has confirmed.
Humza Yousaf said that officials are reviewing the current policy, which sees patients isolated for 10 days despite showing negative PCR results.
The reevaluation comes after one Glasgow family's fight for change.
Lauren and Louisa Boulazreg demanded reform to the current policy after their brother, Callum, was isolated seven times despite testing negative for the virus.
READ MORE: Glasgow family in fight for Scottish Government to axe 10-day Covid isolation rule on mental health wards
They argued that each time he is "locked up" on his ward at the Royal Gartnavel, it stunts his chances of recovery.
And they fear that if he is isolated again, it will impact his ability to live a long, happy and healthy life.
Lauren previously said: "Anybody who is healthy-minded finds the thought of isolating daunting. For somebody who is already struggling, it can be catastrophic on their healing and recovery journey.
“There will be lots of patients out there who don’t have anybody to advocate for them. The ones who are going to be forgotten about are the ones who don’t have the words to say they are struggling.
“Callum’s case is not isolated, this will be going on across the whole of Scotland and the UK."
READ MORE: Monica Lennon calls for Nicola Sturgeon to axe 'cruel' 10-day isolation rule on mental health wards
Speaking to Clyde 1 today, Mr Yousaf confirmed that officials are "looking again" at the current policy.
He told the radio station: "You can see very clearly -when the family speak - their distress at the situation. That is not a satisfactory position whatsoever.
"So I have asked, and I take clinical advice on visitation, you can imagine, that is exceptionally important for me to do, to look again at whether we've got the balance right.
"I would be expecting, as Omicron is easing, if you are in a facility that does not have an outbreak, that visitation would be taking place in a way that hopefully is very meaningful to families.
"Even when there is an outbreak, there is guidance in place, but that does not mean necessarily that visiting has to stop in its entirety.
"It's got to be left to clinical judgement, but in terms of the overarching issue that has been raised, I have asked my clinical advisors to look at this issue again".
Last week, the Scottish Government said that where there is an outbreak in a hospital, it would expect essential visits to continue.
This includes the care of a patient with a mental health issue, where the absence of a visitor would cause distress.
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