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The information requested is not published. Any information on second dose appointments is used to show people their upcoming scheduled appointments, and a record of cancelled appointments is used to track Did Not Attend (DNA) rates. However, the specific information requested regarding under-16s is not available.

Children and young people age 12-15 are being offered a first dose of the vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will continue to review data and evidence on second doses for children and young people aged 12-15 once more data on second doses in this age group has accrued internationally.

We are aware of an issue where a small number of under-16s were incorrectly issued invitations to for a 2 nd dose. This was mainly in the central belt, however the people affected were quickly identified, the appointments cancelled, and revised communications were issued to those affected.

Health Boards have already commenced recruitment activity to meet the commitment to recruit an additional 1,000 Health and Care Support staff at AfC Bands 2, 3 & 4 to provide additional capacity across a variety of services both in the community and in hospital settings. Funding of up to £15 million is being provided in-year to fully fund all costs associate with recruitment to these posts. We are directly supporting boards to fill these posts as quickly as possible within that time frame, through securing an accelerated pre-employment process and supporting the delivery of employability initiatives such as the ‘Skills Boost for Health Care’ training for staff new to health and care.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03618 on 8 November 2021. 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

Our approach to service development and staff training is informed by UK-wide clinical guidance developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and is focussed on supporting NHS Boards to develop tailored models of care appropriate for the needs of their populations.

Scottish Government Officials and Clinical Advisors continue to meet with colleagues across the UK home nations on a regular basis, in order to support the sharing of relevant practice developments as they continue to emerge.

It is important that new systems of care supported by a limited and emerging evidence base are properly evaluated within research conditions in order to deliver quality, cost-effective interventions that provide meaningful benefit for patients.

During this Parliamentary term we are committed to consulting on ways to increase easily accessible, sustainably managed woodlands, including native woodlands, in urban or peri-urban areas, as part of a just transition. Understanding the benefits currently being delivered under the Woods in and Around Towns scheme, and how best to build on them, will form an important part of that conversation.

Patients in Scotland with medication-refractory essential tremor can be referred for MRgFUS treatment to the current centre in London which offers this service. These arrangements are managed through robust commissioning arrangements between NHS England and NHS National Services Scotland’s National Services Division (NSD). Referral to the service is dependent upon the patient’s local neurologist considering their eligibility and whether they would benefit from MRgFUS treatment.

In Scotland a partnership between NHS Tayside and University of Dundee is also enabling a small number of eligible patients to receive MRgFUS treatment at a newly developed facility in Dundee. So far 80 patients have been referred for assessment this year, and around 25% of those have been considered as being appropriate for treatment. The National Deep Brain Stimulation Service in Glasgow has been working closely with the facility to ensure that patient selection is appropriate with a view to the best clinical outcomes as well as patient safety.

While evidence continues to be gathered on the effectiveness of the technology, NSD continues to engage with the clinical team in Tayside with a view to the development of an application for national designation in Scotland.

Since April 2015 the Scottish Government has provided funding to support the planting of over 1.85 million trees and the creation of more than 925 hectares of new urban woodlands to provide opportunities for people to use and enjoy their local woods.

Around £8 million a year is available to support tree planting and greening projects within the Central Scotland Green Network area.

The Scottish Government continues to work with, and provide funding to a range of partners including local authorities, to support them in responding to demand for better access to unban woods through their expansion and improved management. Examples of this partnership approach include the Clyde Climate Forest and initiatives such as the “Wee Forests” that will play a role in improving people’s health and well-being whilst also delivering on our climate change and biodiversity commitments.

The care experience survey programme, of which the Cancer Patient Experience Survey is part of, is due to be under review shortly to allow for the context of COVID-19.

The Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey is run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and is designed to be comparable with Cancer Patient Experience Surveys run in England and Wales. A change in methodology, such as altering the sampling frame, surveying people at different stages of treatment or surveying the relatives of those who have passed away, would result in survey results that are not comparable to the English & Welsh survey results. Such a change would require extensive consultation with stakeholders.

In order to capture the experience of patients with a less survivable cancer we are using tools such as Care Opinion and working with our third sector partners to collate best available evidence.

The Scottish Government have been clear and consistent that whilst we strongly encourage those eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccination to do so, the decision is one of personal choice, and we have no current plans to introduce mandatory vaccination, or to impose any penalties relating to this. It is for each employer to consider their own specific circumstances and make sure their approach is consistent with their own existing obligations and relevant legislation.

We will continue to work together and engage with care home providers, staff and health boards across Scotland, to further encourage acceptance of the coronavirus vaccine to protect staff and residents.

While the Scottish Government strongly encourage care home staff to take up the vaccine, we have no plans to make vaccination mandatory for social care staff.

Whilst we strongly encourage those eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccination to do so, the decision is one of personal choice, and we have no current plans to introduce mandatory vaccination, or to impose any penalties relating to this.

Employers should be aware that care home staff working in Scotland are not mandated to receive the vaccine. Each employer will need to consider their own specific circumstances and make sure their approach is consistent with their own existing obligations and relevant legislation.