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A variety of risk assessments are undertaken across all wards in the Hospital, including 4a and 4b, covering social distancing, hand hygiene, infection control precautions (SICPs) audits every 6 months, patient placement, and the verification of the specialist ventilation systems in ward 4b. The new and innovative Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) dashboard available to all staff enables real time review of IPC data, and allows for a quick and effective response to any risks reported.

The Scottish Government continues to work with Health Boards, Community Pharmacy Scotland and other stakeholders across the sector to address any challenges faced by temporary closures of community pharmacies.

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has committed to putting together a workforce forum which will meet in early 2022. The forum will look at the workforce challenges and bring together stakeholders from pharmacy education and pharmacy service provision to set a strategic workforce plan for the profession.

The information requested regarding whether the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has invoked a Divisional Major Incident Response Plan, in relation to deaths due to hospital associated infection at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, is not centrally held by the Scottish Government.

Health and safety at work is a reserved matter. HSE has confirmed that the issues raised with them did not meet the criteria for a ‘Divisional Major Incident’ as outlined in their published response plans og-00076-appendix-4.pdf (hse.gov.uk) .

The information requested regarding whether the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has carried out any investigation into deaths due to hospital-acquired infection at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is not centrally held by the Scottish Government.

Health and safety at work is a reserved matter. HSE has confirmed that their published policy is generally not to investigate hospital acquired infections Who regulates health care (hse.gov.uk) . They have not investigated deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital that may have been caused by a hospital associated infection.

HSE did however carry out an investigation into concerns raised with them in December 2019 about the ventilation within two wards at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the control of legionella in water systems across the hospital.

HSE was satisfied with the control of legionella but wrote to the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Health Board/NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde requesting improvements to the ventilation systems. An Improvement Notice was served in relation to the ventilation system within Ward 4C.

Further information is available on the NHS GGC webpage: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/12/hse-improvement-notice/ . The Improvement Notice is being appealed by the Health Board. However, HSE is satisfied that appropriate remedial action has been taken.

The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) (and prior to this the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme within Scottish Government), have supported the rollout of the Digital Dermatology Appointment (DDA) system. This platform allows patients to interact with dermatologists by answering a series of questions and uploading images of their skin condition for the clinician to review. This system is used for both new and return patients. The system was offered for rollout to all Health Boards during COVID and to date is live in five Health Boards, with over 4000 patients having appointments this way.

In addition, the CfSD is actively promoting Active Clinical Referral Triage in Dermatology and encouraging the use of images to support this where this can be done safely. We are currently engaged in a piece of work to understand the use of images in referral pathways across all Scottish Health Boards and the output of this will support key work in 2022 to increase the use of images to support timely access to Dermatology care.

The Scottish Government has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformational technology for public good. We were the first UK country to establish an AI Strategy which set out our ambition for Scotland to become a global exemplar in the ethical and innovative deployment of AI.

As part of the Recovery Plans for the NHS, social care and the economy, the Government will support innovation in health care delivery and the adoption of AI solutions into use. Accelerating the adoption of new technologies that support improved access to healthcare, such as the use of artificial intelligence, will be integral to the recovery of NHS services, and there are a range of partner organisations that are central to this work, including the new national Centre for Sustainable Delivery.

All NHS Boards across Scotland have the option of referring patients to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) for services not available locally.

It is for individual NHS Boards to decide what complementary and alternative medicines/therapies they make available based on the needs of their resident populations and in line with national guidance.

The CIC is a facility owned and operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), offering people with long term conditions a range of services, including complementary, holistic and homeopathic treatments. It is the responsibility of NHS GGC to manage access to their services.

There is a range of projects being undertaken in Scotland to explore the use of AI in further high-demand medical areas, ranging from robotic surgery to the use of virtual reality in supporting mental wellbeing is currently being researched, evaluated, and implemented in Scotland.

The Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics (iCAIRD) website provides more information:

iCAIRD – Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics .

Our NHS workforce, across all specialties and care settings, have been remarkable throughout the pandemic. We are deeply grateful for their continued courage, commitment and professionalism.

This year we have made £12 million available to support the wellbeing of our workforce including across primary and social care services.

We are continuing to develop the National Wellbeing Hub, a 24/7 National Wellbeing Helpline, confidential mental health treatment through the Workforce Specialist Service and funding for additional local psychological support. We are also providing further support for practical measures to aid rest and recuperation alongside additional resources including Coaching for Wellbeing and grief and bereavement support.

The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) is working with a number of Health Boards to implement the Digital Dermatology app, which allows patients to interact with a clinician at a time convenient to them, without having to attend hospital. This will support dermatology teams in conducting more virtual appointments.

The Scottish Government recognises that Complementary and Alternative Medicines Services (CAMS), may offer relief to some people suffering from a wide variety of conditions.

It is for individual NHS Boards to decide what complementary and alternative medicines/therapies they make available based on the needs of their resident populations and in line with national guidance.

The NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) is a facility owned, operated and funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC). It offers people with long term conditions a range of services, including complementary, holistic and homeopathic treatments. Most patients referred to the centre are experiencing chronic pain, chronic low energy, and/or chronic low mood or anxiety.