Seòmar agus comataidhean

Sanofi’s VidPrevtyn has not been used in the Scottish Vaccination Programme since winter 2023-24, and is no longer available in the UK. The withdrawal was at the request of the marketing authorisation holder, Sanofi Pasteur, which notified the European Commission of its decision to permanently discontinue the marketing of the product for commercial reasons.

It remains Scottish Government policy that Health Boards must make non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines available to those individuals who are contraindicated to, or allergic to, mRNA vaccines. However, trometamol is used in the manufacture of some vaccines, including the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and at present there are no non-mRNA products authorised for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) available for purchase. Health Boards have contacted all individuals affected to explain the situation.

National Services Scotland (NSS) National Procurement team will continue to monitor the non-mRNA market position to see if any non-mRNA options become available for future COVID-19 vaccination programmes.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken an analysis on the financial impact of stroke on Scotland’s health and social care services in the next ten years.

Research suggests that, on average, every patient treated with a thrombectomy procedure could save the NHS £47,000 over five years, due to the reduction in length of hospital stays and a reduced need for social care input. This economic benefit is in addition to the significant improvements in outcome and quality of life for patients.

We have already invested over £39 million in the thrombectomy service and remain committed to expansion of the service and maximising access to thrombectomies.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The ‘Gaining Recognised Employment and Training’ project was funded to provide an employability service for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women including: a) sector specific English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for women who speak English as a second language (six weeks), followed by a placement with a local employer (eight weeks); b) accredited training courses; c) one to one advice on cv writing, application forms, interview skills, etc.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Women from BME and Migrant Communities will have increased access to employment through the provision of vocational ESOL classes and supported volunteer placements with local employers
• Women from BME and migrant communities will have improved opportunities to gain qualifications and move towards employment through the provision of accredited training
• Employers in Dundee will become more confident to employ women from BME communities

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The ‘Equalities in Advice’ project was funded to contribute to reducing discrimination against people with protected characteristics by widening access to advice and support. Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (DCAB) would continue with and develop further targeted out-reach advice clinics in partner agencies that provide services in Dundee for people with protected characteristics such as older persons, people with a disability or long-term health condition, people with mental health issues, and minority ethnic people. As well as out-reach clinics home visits would be offered to people unable to access the main Bureau or out-reach clinics because of a physical or mental health issue. Information, advice and support and where appropriate representation would be provided on any issue, so that people are more informed of their rights and responsibilities, thus enabling them to engage more fully in civic society.

Advice Support Workers told staff the out-reach clinics which would be provided through both open door drop-in or appointments. Home visits would be arranged to suit the person seeking advice. Staff of partner agencies would signpost or refer users of their services to the out-reach or home-visiting advice service. Individuals would also be able to access the service directly without being signposted or referred in.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• There will be improved access to advice, support and assistance to people with protected characteristics which will assist them to fully engage in civic society
• There will be an improvement in partner agencies ability to meet the wider needs of their service users

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The “Hearts of Govanhill” project was funded to enable the organisation to build on relationships with local people and knowledge of the context which has proven effective in addressing longstanding and emergent tensions between different social groups in the Govanhill area through community interventions that build bridging (social) capital.

The 3 main strands of Hearts of Govanhill were:

• Understanding Each Other (UEO) – a schools outreach project, which by building on links already made with local primary schools would be developed in collaboration and delivered with a focus on Hate Crime;
• Feel Good Women’s Group (FGWG) – continuing the group and related development activities, as a space for women to increase physical and mental health and gain peer support, eventually working towards a dedicated women’s centre space;
• Work with the Roma community – continue to build the capacity of the local Roma community, with a move towards issue-based citizen advocacy to deal with shared issues, the popular Tuesday Evening Drop-in, and developing the activity of the Baking Group.

Additionally, they would continue with:

• Streetwork – a community engagement project;
• Community events – providing opportunities for locals of different cultural backgrounds to come together through shared interest;
• One-to-one support to vulnerable individuals.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Local people from ethnically diverse and deprived areas of Govanhill experience fewer barriers and more opportunities to participate in local life.
• People in Govanhill have increased awareness of Hate Crime and the impact of discrimination and experience less discrimination as a result.
• Local people with protected characteristics have increased opportunities to build relationships of trust with others.

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Volunteer and Project Coordinator project was funded to enable Stirling Citizens for Sanctuary to continue to employ Continue employment of a Volunteer and Project Coordinator (VPC) to manage and support a growing body of volunteers; ensure checks on background prior to acceptance as volunteers; deliver induction and regular training; and monitor and support volunteers. This is critical to our ability to deliver, through our volunteers, sensitive and effective support to refugee families who have fled violence in their country and whose friends and extended families are still in camps or relocated to other countries

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Syrians will feel confident in their new surroundings and be aware of local services and facilities and how to access them
• Syrian families, both adults and children, will become integrated into the community and be involved in local activities
• Develop Volunteer Skills for supporting vulnerable refugees

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Maryhill Integration Network project was funded to support the Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) to design and deliver a varied, inclusive and user-led, weekly programme of activities focusing on community cohesion, participation, and the development of social bonds. This programme of activities would run alongside advice & support, outreach partnership projects and regular community events across the city, and beyond. MIN would focus on the arts as a tool for integration, environmental awareness and building community resilience. Through developing a weekly programme, community events, and partnership projects, MIN would enable people with the protected characteristics of race, religion, age and sex, to reduce barriers to community participation, increase access to skills development volunteering opportunities, and experience safer and more confident communities in Glasgow.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increased opportunities to engage in activities promoting positive community cohesion for those with the protected characteristics of race, religion and sex
• People with protected characteristics of race, religion and sex have increased opportunities to access community learning and volunteering to help them to progress into further education and employment.
• Communities are better equipped to take preventative measures to reduce instances of poverty, discrimination and hate crime based on the protected characteristics of race, religion and sex

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Scottish Government has no plans to change the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) and believes that the Act sufficiently addresses consent and the handling of tissue in relation to post-mortem examinations.

The Human Tissue Act 2004 applies in its entirety in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It allows for tissues/samples to be returned to the next of kin, whereas under the 2006 Act in Scotland these become part of the medical record. The 2006 Act includes a schedule for disposal of medical records in Scotland.

The current situation in Scotland is that where a post-mortem is instructed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) as part of an investigation into a death, consent is not required and some samples may be retained for future evidentiary purposes. COPFS endeavour to inform the family in advance of such steps. Where a post-mortem is not part of a COPFS investigation into a death, for example where the death occurs in a hospital, consent is always required for the post-mortem from the next-of-kin or the deceased themselves in advance.

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee is currently considering the petition PE1911 – Review of Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 as it relates to post-mortems. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 and relevant guidance to ensure that all post-mortems can be carried out only with the permission of the next of kin, do not routinely remove brains, and offer tissue samples to the next of kin as a matter of course.

On 8 August 2024, the Committee wrote to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health seeking views on the petition and asking about pathology services in Scotland. The Minister responded to the Committee on 19 September 2024, taking into account views from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and COPFS. The Minister noted that the Scottish Government had responded to the Committee’s call for a review of the 2006 Act, in particular regarding tissue sample handling, in the submissions of 15 November 2021 and 5 January 2022. The position has not changed, as it is essential that COPFS are able to undertake independent investigations into a cause of death, without which the death cannot be registered.

Scottish Government officials continue to work with COPFS and other partners to consider how current and future forensic pathology services may be improved.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Faith in Community Dundee project was funded to:

1. Develop the Fairness Conversation – involve faith communities, ethnic groups, people with protected characteristics in the Fairness Conversation in Dundee.

2. Increase community cohesion – through training (developing womens’ volunteer roles/skills sharing within faith community projects) and building partnership working.

3. Develop current and new initiatives to increase community cohesion - the Wonderbox Initiative and other faith community initiatives.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Faith communities, and other protected characteristics, have increased participation in city-wide Fairness Conversations and can better influence local and city-wide actions.
• Improve community cohesion through increased skills and knowledge within faith communities, leading to more effective community engagement.
• Improve community cohesion through increased capacity of, and engagement with, faith community projects in areas of multiple deprivations.

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Roma Opportunities Project was funded to continue to increase the capacity of the various Roma communities in Glasgow, particularly focussing on young Roma people. The project would provide peer education training and opportunities for Roma young people and would deliver activities designed to promote Roma self-confidence and self-esteem, increase knowledge of local and national services and socio-political structures, and challenge negative perceptions.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Roma youth increased confidence and self-esteem; and develop the skills they need to support their communities. Discrimination faced by Roma people is reduced and the intercultural dialogue is promoted
• Roma youth increased their knowledge of the local and national services and socio-political structures and youth members of Friends of Romano Lav are more active in community and social political debates
• Roma and non-Roma people increase a more positive sense of Roma identity and culture. Roma youth increase their social media skills to better represent Roma communities and challenging negative representations

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf