In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, and in line with public health advice, temporary changes have been implemented to the joint office of Bruce Crawford MSP and Alyn Smith MP with immediate effect.
In line with both UK and Scottish Government guidance, the changes will limit physical contact and help protect public health.
The office will still function full time, with staff members now working from home.
Constituents can still contact both Mr Crawford and Mr Smith in order to raise issues by email or by phone. The office telephone number will take constituents to an answer machine, which is being checked regularly.
These changes will be implemented until further notice.
Commenting, Bruce Crawford MSP said:
“The measures we have decided to take are in line with public health advice. It’s vital that, at this time, we limit social contact as well as encouraging employees to work from home where possible. The COVID-19 Coronavirus is spreading very quickly right now, putting vulnerable people at particular risk if they are infected.
“We have a duty of care for staff and constituents – particularly vulnerable people – which means that changing the way we do things for a temporary period is an important step to take whilst faced with this public health emergency.
“The public health advice, limiting social contact, will be a challenging measure for many people to take. However, it is a crucial part of the overall strategy to slow the spread of this virus and to defeat it.
Alyn Smith MP updated by NHS Forth Valley Director of Public Health (Dr Graham Foster) over the phone last week.
Mr Smith spoke with the Director of Public Health for NHS Forth Valley, Dr Graham Foster, by phone last week for an update on the situation facing the Forth Valley.
Commenting, he said:
“Healthcare workers are working flat out locally to ensure that we are in the best possible place to tackle the spread of the Coronavirus, and we are all grateful to our NHS workers for the tireless work they’re putting in to keep us all as safe as possible.
“People are being advised to work from home if possible, to avoid all but essential travel and to avoid social gatherings for the time being. This will limit physical contact, which is a main cause of the spread of this disease.
“Bruce and I, along with our constituency team, will still be working flat out to address any concerns or issues brought to us. However, with the changing situation and public health advice, we have taken the decision to temporarily alter our constituency office arrangements.”
Contact information for constituents:
Email for Bruce Crawford MSP: Bruce.Crawford.MSP@parliament.scot
Email for Alyn Smith MP: Alyn.Smith.MP@parliament.uk
Office phone number (answer machine): 01786 471 899