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To date 10 patients have requested referral to either Dr Veronikis or Professor Hashim. It is possible, however, that this number will increase once the contract arrangements with Dr Veronikis have been finalised and the formal referral pathways are in place.

For complex mesh removal surgery, case review by a specialist multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is seen as pivotal in ensuring that all clinical considerations are taken into account in the planning of surgery which meets the needs of the patients. With the agreement of the independent providers, prior to referral, patients will be discussed by the MDT in Glasgow to ensure that they are fit for surgery and that all relevant diagnostic investigations have been undertaken. If, after careful consideration by both the MDT and the patient, it is agreed that surgery is appropriate and the patient wishes to be referred to either Dr Veronikis or Professor Hashim, the team in Glasgow will facilitate this in conjunction with their local specialist within their local Health Board who will then share in the ongoing care of the women following their surgery.

Anyone who wishes to be referred to either Dr Veronikis or Professor Hashim should firstly discuss their case with their GP who will refer them to the local specialist within their Health Board. If considered appropriate they would then be referred to the Complex Mesh Surgery Service for consideration by a full multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The MDT will undertake an appropriate clinical assessment and ensure that all relevant investigations are undertaken to support shared decision making. If, after careful consideration by both the MDT and the patient, it is agreed that surgery is appropriate and the patient wishes to be referred to either Dr Veronikis or Professor Hashim, the team in Glasgow will facilitate this in conjunction with their local specialist within their local Health Board.

We recognise the impact long waiting times can have on a patient, from both a clinical and mental health perspective. At this stage in recovery from the pandemic, long-waiting patients must be considered a priority.

Work is underway, through the Care and Wellbeing Portfolio, to provide more active support to people whilst they are waiting for treatment. This will include the launch this summer of a national system that will provide information on waiting times by health board and by specialty.

More information on ‘waiting well’ and accessible services will also be made available for people to manage their conditions while they wait for treatment.

The contract negotiations with Dr Veronikis are progressing and are expected to reach a positive conclusion imminently. No patients can be referred until this process is complete, however referrals for those who wish to travel for treatment by Dr Veronikis will begin as soon as possible after the contract has been concluded. All negotiations with Spire Healthcare, Bristol are complete and contracts have been signed. For the small number of patients who have requested referral to Spire Healthcare, arrangements for referral are now beginning and it is anticipated that the first patients will travel for treatment shortly.

The scope for reform applies to all public bodies. After years of growth in the public sector, due to Brexit and the pandemic, we need to reset. We expect all public bodies to demonstrate that they remain fit for purpose against the present and future needs of Scotland’s people, places and communities. The spending review provides a platform for engagement ahead of the next budget. We do not intend to take the same approach as set out by the UK Government, but we do need to reshape and refocus. We will work together across the public sector to look creatively at reform in order to become more efficient and deliver better outcomes.

It is clear that the changes in working practices and budgets will offer opportunities to right-size the portfolio and improve efficient delivery of services to the public. There are no details of any savings available yet as the multi-year programme has not started. The first phase of the programme will begin this year and will look to gather and validate existing estate information and to plan for a place-based approach across the public sector. Subsequent phases will identify opportunities to work towards an optimal, greener and interoperable public sector estate.

The Scottish Government is a member of the UK Government ME/CFS Delivery Plan Task and Finish Group, which is scheduled to convene in June and to meet monthly thereafter. Officials are maintaining close and regular contact with the UK Department of Health and Social Care regarding this work, with the UK Government planning to publish its draft Delivery Plan later this year.

We are working to publish the external report regarding the implementation of the 2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS as soon as possible, and anticipate that it will be published by the beginning of July 2022.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08988 on
‎ 22 June 2022. 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