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The Digitisation of records is an operational responsibility of individual Health Boards and GP practices. At a national level, and building on the existing use of electronic patient record systems, we are focussed on allowing medical records to be stored, linked, and shared securely. This will support our ambition set out in the 2021 Digital Health & Care Strategy to make the right information available to all appropriate staff, when and where it is needed.

To achieve this, most Health Boards have a Clinical Portal. This system works across organisational, regional, and national boundaries to provide a timely transfer of information. The key developments to improve the sharing of information within Health Boards and GP Practices is the GPIT Programme, the National Digital Platform, TRAK Care and Clinical Portal.

HEPMA ( Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration ) is a system that can also replace paper prescribing and medication administration systems within hospitals. It has already been successfully implemented in thirteen Health boards across Scotland with the remainder to commence in 2024. We are also developing the Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways (DPDP) programme which is on track to replace the current paper prescription in Scotland with a digital approach by the end of this Parliamentary term in 2026.

Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce previous guidance on the extended use of face masks in hospitals and care homes or use in public spaces.

Our guidance remains the same; if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others – if you do need to go out, wear a well-fitting face covering. You may also wish to consider wearing, and you may be asked to wear a face covering in other settings.

Advice about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (including face masks) in health and social care settings is contained in guidance from Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland – the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NICPM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM). This advice, which is based on the current stage of the pandemic and the availability of vaccines and treatments, recommends a person-centred approach based on clinical need and risk assessment.

As part of our enhanced surveillance systems, we continue to monitor, assess and be ready to respond to COVID-19 and other health threats. Any change in response will be driven by the data and evidence gathered, as well as expert advice.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24110 on 18 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24444 on 22 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24110 on 18 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24444 on 22 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

My letter of 27 October 2023 shorttermlets27oct.pdf (parliament.scot) to the Scottish Parliament indicated I would write again by the end of January 2024 to advise on progress with this work and it is still my intention to do this.

The Scottish Government does not hold this data. NHS Boards have been responsible for implementing the National Code of Practice for GP premises since it came into effect in 2018 when the new GP contract was agreed.

The Scottish Government has no plans for any changes to the current regulatory system for social landlords. All Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are subject to the same regulatory requirements. The Scottish Housing Regulator has one statutory objective to safeguard and promote the interests of tenants and others who use local authority and RSL housing services. It is right that the focus of its statutory role should be on protecting tenants interests.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.