Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04012 on 11 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

The detrimental effects on physical and mental health and wellbeing are well known and documented. Reducing that harm, and ensuring that people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, is the key ethos behind the improvement programme. Data on the number of, and reason for delay, is collected monthly by Public Health Scotland and will be used, along with other data to measure progress and improvement.

The Scottish Government published its new air quality strategy ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – Towards a Better Place for Everyone’ in July this year. The strategy sets out a wide variety of actions. One action is to work with businesses, and others that might be affected, on proposals to control the sale of the most polluting domestic fuels, which include wet wood. In order to take this forward we have set up a specialist domestic (household) emissions working group, with representation from industry and key stakeholders. These proposals are still at an early stage, further consideration will be required and additional information will be made available in due course.

In taking forward this work, we will be mindful of the potential impact on businesses and domestic users. Any new measures would require to be implemented over a period of time, such as a transitional period during which businesses could adapt to the new requirements without disproportionate costs.

The ideals and principles of the Interface Care and Discharge without Delay programs extends across all care groups, including Mental Health.

In addition to this work, in March 2021 we issued a £20 million Community Living Change Fund to be used during 2021–2024. This funding will be used to redesign services for people with complex needs including intellectual disabilities and autism, and for people who have enduring mental health problems, avoiding the need for out of area placements and reducing delayed discharges from hospital.

The Scottish Government has been, and continues to be, in daily contact with Police Scotland on recent reports of spiking.

I also chaired a roundtable with partners and representatives from across the sector on 4 November to discuss how we can achieve the right balance of targeted and universal intervention to ensure the safety of the public.

Table 1 highlights data from UCAS showing both the number of applications and number of accepted applicants to pre-registration nursing programmes from 2007 to 2020. Figures for 2021 have not yet been published yet.

Table 1

Applications and acceptances to nursing at Scottish providers by year

Source: UCAS

Health Boards lead on the local delivery of the vaccination programme. Local Health Boards are following Public Health Scotland (PHS) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance.

We continue to provide advice and support to those who are at highest risk from COVID-19 to allow them to make informed choices about their risks and daily activities.

An updated highest risk list is regularly provided to GPs and NHS Board shielding coordinators. We know how important it is for people that are added to the highest risk list to have support, which is why we provide them with comprehensive information on the additional advice and support available to them. Currently those on the highest risk list are advised to follow the same guidance as the general population.

Anyone who has concerns regarding how they will receive their vaccine, or wish to rearrange their appointment should visit The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot) or contact the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Includem, the charitable organisation who were awarded the contract for the National Childhood Bereavement Coordinator, facilitated roundtable discussions earlier this summer exploring the theme of ‘Training & Education’. These roundtable discussions were open for attendance to any individuals with experience of working with bereaved children and young people under the age of 25 in Scotland and attendees came from a wide range of backgrounds.

The Project will continue to work with those with lived experience of childhood bereavement, practitioners working to support them, and with schools, to make progress in this area and to work with schools on improving how they support bereaved children and young people. A full report, including final recommendations, will be delivered to the Scottish Government later in 2022.

Vacancies are now advertised on “myjobscotland” which allows for easier continual monitoring by local authorities in line with their responsibilities for teacher employment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04012 on 11 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