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Video appointments are an option across social work in Scotland via Near Me, through the Scottish Government’s purchase of a national licence for the use of Near Me by any part of the public sector that wishes to use it. Work continues supporting the social work sector on considering how and when video appointments work best, for example in accessing out of hours support. This work includes a funded and expert-supported programme in Fife HSCP (Health and Social Care Partnership) to establish use cases and develop pathways by the end of the year.

The Scottish Government published the responses to the consultation on the Data Strategy for Health and Social Care, and the analysis of those responses in November 2022.

The Scottish Government does not have any plans to determine the number of social care settings that may be affected. Local authorities have responsibility for provision of social care services and therefore the contracts with relevant providers. Building safety is a matter for the owner of the building.

Following a desktop review of all NHS Scotland properties suspected to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, NHS Scotland Assure is preparing a paper to inform the Scottish Government on options to proceed with discovery surveys. The cost of conducting the discovery surveys is dependent on the survey option chosen.

Following a desktop review of all NHS Scotland properties suspected to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, NHS Scotland Assure is preparing a paper on options to proceed with discovery surveys. The timeframe for completion of the survey programme is dependent on the start date of the surveys and the survey option chosen.

The Scottish Government will publish the British Sign Language National Plan 2023 – 2029 by 31 October 2023, as per our duties as set out by the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015.

The workforce model has been developed in response to the growing demand for digital mental health services. The model consists of additional clinical and administrative staff that will improve local expertise on digital mental health, provide in-house support for patients and support the future delivery needs of these services. Discussions on the recruitment to digital therapy teams in Boards are underway.

Yes – re-procurement of the technology that powers the Near Me service was completed as scheduled with a Framework contract signed in March 2023 for 3 years. The framework will continue to run live services with no disruption to existing services as the platform will remain the same.

Health and Safety legislation is not devolved to the Scottish Government. The HSE are carrying out research currently across the UK focused on buildings which contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Building safety is a matter for the owner of the building, in this case local authorities are the relevant duty holder. For this reason the Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of schools which contain RAAC. We remain in close contact with local authorities, and expect them to provide a safe environment for all users.

As of Friday 9 June, 45 members of staff were working in the Deposit Return Scheme Division. The FTE is 43.2

We do not hold information on how many staff have worked on DRS each year since development began as DRS sat within a wider division with staff covering a range of issues. A separate division for DRS was created in March this year.