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Improving access to testing for blood borne viruses (BBV) plays an important role in achieving the Scottish Government’s hepatitis C elimination and HIV transmission elimination goals. However it is vital that we carefully consider which interventions are likely to be most effective in Scotland. This is why we have funded emergency department (ED) opt-out testing pilot projects in NHS Lothian, Grampian and Highland.

Whilst there are no imminent plans to expand ED opt-out testing, the Scottish Government is using evaluation data from the pilot projects, combined with evidence from the programme in England and Scottish Government-funded academic research, to determine whether further roll-out would be acceptable, deliverable and cost-effective.

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward a National Care Service and will deliver vital reform through legislative and non-legislative means, and those with lived experience at the heart of our work.

The Scottish Government have confirmed that they will provide an additional capital allocation to NHS Borders to allow them to remediate the RAAC situation at Knoll hospital. For other potential RAAC related issues across the NHS Scotland estate, requests for additional capital funding will be considered on a case by case basis.

The summer 2025 service between Ardrossan and Brodick will be delivered when MV Caledonian Isles returns. CalMac have advised she will be expected to operate to the agreed summer timetable which will provide 35 return sailings per week. Permanent changes to timetables are considered through established processes and will determine future timetables.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the net zero economy. Together with our enterprise agencies, we have invested £75 million in the cutting-edge National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility, which is actively supporting low-carbon and green manufacturing.

We are also committing £2.9 billion of capital for activities that will positively impact our climate goals and support domestic manufacturing in green sectors, including over £300 million in energy efficiency and clean heat measures and £150 million to anchor our offshore wind supply chain.

Our Enterprise Agencies play a key role in supporting our low-carbon, green manufacturing sector, for example through funding streams and links to Business Energy Scotland and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.

The Chair and Chief Executive of NHS Borders met with myself on 30 January to discuss the situation with Knoll Hospital. NHS Borders have also been providing regular situation reports to the Scottish Government updating them on developments.

When MV Caledonian Isles returns to service, CalMac have advised she will be expected to operate to the agreed Summer 2025 timetable which will provide 35 return sailings per week.

The pilot surveys' purpose was to prove the methodology proposed to be adopted in the more detailed Phase 2 survey programme.

The pilots utilise point cloud technology which creates a digital representation of the area being assessed. This method provides an accurate and detailed picture of the structure's shape and dimensions, including identifying any areas of deflection, sagging, or damage that are not visible to a visual inspection. By comparing point clouds captured at different times, surveyors can monitor any changes in the condition of the RAAC structure over time. This is particularly important for NHS sites, as we will likely be using these sites for many years to come and we want to minimise the time and disruption of each survey.

The result of the point cloud surveys inform the location of intrusive surveys required by the surveying Structural Engineer. Once access has been provide in the required locations the surveying Structural Engineer will conduct their detailed surveys and provide a report on the observations.

Two of these pilot surveys were completed, the third has had a Point Cloud completed but requires a follow-up survey. The two completed Pilot surveys satisfactorily proved the methodology which has been adopted in the procurement of the full Phase 2 survey programme. In the two completed Pilot surveys the Structural Engineers Report has identified remedial actions but nothing critical.

We recognise the importance of good quality care for children and young people living with ME/CFS.

The Scottish Budget 2025-26 includes £4.5 million to deliver specialist support across the country for long COVID, ME/CFS and other similar conditions. We are carefully considering how this new investment can best benefit people with these conditions across Scotland.

ME/CFS can present a broad range of symptoms, and we know there is no ‘one-size fits all’ response. Children and young people with ME/CFS who require investigation or input from secondary care specialities may access this via an appropriate GP referral, according to their needs.

We have funded the dissemination of an online learning module on ME/CFS for GPs and health professionals in Scotland, which is improving participants’ ability to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. NHS Education for Scotland have also published a Practice Based Small Group Learning module about ME/CFS for GPs and Primary Care professionals.

There are a number of national policy and strategic drivers which aim to ensure children and young people receive the best quality care & support. The Maternal and Child Health page on the Scottish Government website outlines the latest pieces of work towards our priorities in supporting children and young people.

The Health and Social Care Standards set out what we should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland. We have also set out guidance regarding health and social care and supporting disabled children, young people and their families.

We want every child and young person in Scotland to reach their full potential. All support and planning for children and young people with ME/CFS should be underpinned by Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) - the national approach in Scotland to supporting the wellbeing, and to improving outcomes, of our children and young people.

Following the collapse of a school roof in 2018, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted NHS Scotland Assure to the issue and the following steps were then taken:

• May 2019 - The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to the issue in May 2019, this was circulated to NHS Scotland
• February 2020 – paper presented by NHS Scotland Assure to the NHS Strategic Facilities Group outlining a proposal for identifying and managing RAAC across the NHS estate
• May 2021 – NHS Assure gather a local assessment of RAAC from each local NHS Board, and conclude that a national survey programme would be best;
• November 2022 – a lead adviser is appointed and the desktop survey programme starts.
• December 2022 – NHS Scotland Assure commissioned a survey team to establish the extent of RAAC across the NHS Scotland Estate and the condition it is in.
• January 2023 – Desktop review begins
• July 2023 – Phase 1 Discovery survey work begins
• April 2024 – Discovery survey programme complete (except for several revisits and several later additions)
• May 2024 – three pilot detailed surveys commissioned to inform a programme to undertake a detailed survey of all buildings with RAAC in the NHS Estate.
• June 2024 – two pilot detailed surveys completed to inform a Phase 2 Survey Programme
• October 2024 – Scottish Government commissioned an Annual Inspection Programme to complete annual re visits required during the 2024/25 financial year
• November 2024 – Annual Inspection Programme commenced
• November 2024 – procurement of a Phase 2 Survey Programme

It is the NHS Boards responsibility for any actions identified in the Survey reports to be undertaken timeously.