Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-29046

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been provided to public service providers and retailers to support people with sight loss maintaining two metres' social distancing (a) when queuing to access buildings and (b) once they enter a building.

Guidance has been issued to public service providers and retailers that remain open, that they must ensure a distance of two metres between customers, and between customers and shop assistants, letting people enter the shop only in small numbers, to ensure that spaces are not crowded and to ensure queue control is consistent with social distancing advice. The guidance does not specifically refer to supporting people with sight loss or to the use of tactile markers, however, the Scottish Government would expect staff to be vigilant and assist any individuals who may face difficulty in maintaining a two metre social distance.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that a disabled person has, as far as is reasonable, the same access as a non-disabled person. The Scottish Government expects service providers to adapt these adjustments in light of the current COVID-19 situation and it is up to individual service providers to determine what these adjustments are.

We would also ask that the general public is similarly supportive and, in particular, that care is taken to give anyone with a visual impairment or other disability, sufficient space and time so that they can access supermarkets and other facilities safely, in line with the current Covid-19 guidance.

Question reference: S5W-29050

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been issued to public transport providers to support people with sight loss maintain two metres social distancing before and during travel.

Question reference: S5W-29049

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what public awareness information has been provided to support people with sight loss to safely maintain two metres social distancing.

Physical distancing measures are steps everyone should take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Guidance on physical distancing is available on the Scottish Government website physical (social) distancing guide and although this is not specific to those with sight loss, the Scottish Government has worked with NHS Inform to ensure that all Covid-19 guidance, as well as that on physical distancing, is available in accessible formats, including audio. Audio files can be found here -

https://www.nhsinform.scot/translations/formats/audio/coronavirus-covid-19

Additionally, vision impairment charities have produced some top tips on physical distancing, for those that are blind or visually impaired. Examples can be found here:

https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning/campaigning-news/rnib-sends-supermarkets-guidance

https://www.henshaws.org.uk/top-tips-for-social-distancing-if-you-are-blind-or-visually-impaired/

https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/coronavirus-information/Getting-out-and-about/social-dist-CV

Where keeping a two metre distance is difficult or not possible, the message remains the same for us all, stay at home wherever possible, except for essential trips. For those who do not have someone in their household to accompany them and cannot safely make essential trips on their own and need urgent supplies, including; essential food and medication or local social work services or emotional support or to contact local volunteer group, a National Assistance Helpline has been set up to provide assistance. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-vulnerable-people/ .’

Question reference: S5W-29048

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been issued on the use of tactile markers to make it easier for people with sight loss maintaining two metres social distancing while queuing to access buildings.

Guidance has been issued to public service providers and retailers that remain open, that they must ensure a distance of two metres between customers, and between customers and shop assistants, letting people enter the shop only in small numbers, to ensure that spaces are not crowded and to ensure queue control is consistent with social distancing advice. The guidance does not specifically refer to supporting people with sight loss or to the use of tactile markers, however, the Scottish Government would expect staff to be vigilant and assist any individuals who may face difficulty in maintaining a two metre social distance.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that a disabled person has, as far as is reasonable, the same access as a non-disabled person. The Scottish Government expects service providers to adapt these adjustments in light of the current COVID-19 situation and it is up to individual service providers to determine what these adjustments are.

We would also ask that the general public is similarly supportive and, in particular, that care is taken to give anyone with a visual impairment or other disability, sufficient space and time so that they can access supermarkets and other facilities safely, in line with the current Covid-19 guidance.

Question reference: S5W-29027

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it reached the decision to contact all people in COVID-19 shielded groups and notify them with advice; when the first contacts were made, and whether every person initially identified as being in these groups has now been contacted.

Question reference: S5F-04165

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 May 2020

To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will commence its review of care homes.

Question reference: S5W-29042

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many care home staff in the (a) public, (b) voluntary and (c) private sector have been tested for COVID-19, and what percentage of the total workforce in each category this represents.

Question reference: S5O-04349

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide testing facilities in the areas with the highest incidence of COVID-19.

Question reference: S5W-28914

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of a delay in the delivery of the Moray East Offshore Wind Farm, in light of the crane collapse of the Deme Offshore vessel, Orion, as it was due to install jacket foundations at the windfarm.

I am aware of the serious accident that took place onboard the Orion 1 installation vessel during testing in the port of Rostock, Germany on 2 May 2020.

I understand that Deme NV, as contractor, have launched an investigation to determine what went wrong during the testing and will now be looking for a replacement vessel for the work due to begin in coming months.

EDPR have stated they are considering what, if any, impact this may have on the project delivery for Moray East Offshore Wind Farm.

Question reference: S5W-27965

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 March 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to support people who might require home care in the event that the COVID-19 outbreak results in staff absence.

We have taken steps both nationally and locally to rapidly increase our health and social care workforce capacity to enable those who receive care at home to continue to do so. We are increasing recruitment / hiring across the social care workforce. For example, NHS Education Scotland has developed a national web-based recruitment portal to support local efforts to enable those with relevant skills and experience to come forward and support health and social care services at this time of national emergency. People returning to, and entering, the social care workforce are being deployed quickly to where they are most needed.

There is already flexibility in the registration system for social services staff to move to another service or start to work in another type of registered service, but more has been done to clarify and implement minimum training requirements and enable redeployment of staff as necessary. The SSSC has developed a minimum training package for social care for redeployment and volunteers, who will play an essential role in the delivery of day-to-day services. Further information can be accessed via the SSSC website: https://www.sssc.uk.com/

We have also asked NHS National Services Scotland to provide PPE stock to personal assistants and unpaid carers as well as the regulated social care sector during this emergency period, this will go towards supporting those who may be required to provide home care during this time.

We have also put in place shielding measures to protect people at the highest risk because of existing health conditions and also set up a national helpline for Covid support which is aimed at “group two” vulnerable people, for those who have not been classed within the shielding group. This national helpline will provide a number of links to council services who will help access support such as essential food and medication, social work services and emotional support during this unprecedented time.

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