Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government does not hold estimates on the number of people that will be affected by mental health concerns as a result of domestic abuse during the COVID-19 crisis. However, we understand from regular discussions with key stakeholders that the mental health impact of lockdown continues to be a significant concern for organisations who support victims.

A Mental Health Research Advisory Group has also been established and will follow research developments closely to understand the medium and long term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.

Backed by £1.5 million of Scottish Government funding, support services have made changes to ensure they can still be accessed and are there to help people. National helplines are fully operational and also now with text and web chat functions.

Scottish Government published Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on domestic abuse which makes it clear that rules on staying at home do not prevent anyone from leaving their home to escape or keep themselves safe from domestic abuse.

We are also continuing to provide wider mental health support in Scotland through this time. The Scottish Government has provided funding to increase the capacity of NHS 24’s mental health services and digital therapies. These services will continue to be available throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for anyone who needs it.

Investment of more than £1 million has also been provided to roll out the Distress Brief Intervention programme on a national basis. The programme gives people over the age of 16, who are in emotional distress, the opportunity to speak to specially trained staff.

The Scottish Government’s £50 million Wellbeing Fund is supporting third sector organisations that have expanded their work to provide vital assistance for communities at risk in the face of Covid-19. Among the 558 organisations recently offered funding in the first application round for Wellbeing Fund support are 344 for which applicants identified “Mental Health and Wellbeing” as the primary area of focus and which collectively received £8.07 million. Provisional results from the second application round show that 392 applications have been approved for funding, with a total value of £7,592,000. More detailed breakdown information about these (including how many focus on mental health and wellbeing) will become available shortly.

On 12 May we extended eligibility for the Small Business Grant Fund (£10,000) to include non-domestic properties in receipt of any Charitable or Sports Rates Relief, and eligible for Small Business Bonus Scheme who also meet the qualifying criteria.

Through the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund, the Scottish Government is continuing to contribute to the core costs of Third Sector organisations which support the emotional wellbeing of children, young people and families.

In addition to a number of third sector partners funded to help deliver our vision for improved mental health and wellbeing in Scotland, we have announced additional support this year to the following third sector organisations responding directly to the increased demand resulting from the Covid-19 crisis:

• As part of the £1 million to expand and develop the Distress Brief Intervention programme into a nationwide response to people in distress associated with Covid-19, support to third sector bodies including the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Penumbra and Support in Mind Scotland as key partners will be over £800,000.
• We announced a £1 million package for children, young people and families on 1 May which includes:

- £768,000 for a relationships helpline to be delivered by The Spark counselling service

- £105,000 to support Young Scot to develop enhanced digital content and resources on mental health

- £205,000 to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland. This consists of funding to increase capacity at the Scottish Autism Helpline, and help for the National Autistic Society to keep people in touch online during lockdown.

We do not hold information as to which individuals attended the match.

The Business Support Grant Scheme is administered by local authorities, and they aim to make payment within 10 working days from receipt of a fully completed application and once all information and evidence in support of an application has been verified. Applications can be subject to delay if incomplete or incorrect details are supplied.

Our guidance states that patients discharged to a care homes must have two negative tests before discharge. The discharging hospital should liaise with the care home to ensure a risk assessment is undertaken prior to discharge and that the home is able to provide the care required. Where testing is not possible (e.g. patient doesn’t consent or it would cause distress) and if discharged to care home within the 14-day isolation period then there must be an agreed care plan for the remaining period of isolation up to 14 days. For example there should be a suitable physical space and staff available for the delivery of care and support to a resident who is isolated for a period of time to support their safety and wellbeing.

Our mental health policy response to the pandemic will remain fluid and adaptable and will be led emerging evidence as it becomes available. The Mental Health Research Advisory Group has been established to follow research developments to understand the medium and long term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and will help us to put evidence-based services and support in place to help meet the mental health needs of the population.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Scottish Government has introduced a number of new mental health supports and services, as well as extending existing services. Many of these will remain relevant and helpful in the event of a second wave of coronavirus.

The “Clear Your Head” campaign will continue to help the population look after their own mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 outbreak and could be adapted to support people through a second wave.

Support services including the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub, Breathing Space and Distress Brief Intervention Programme will remain available throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. NHS Mental Health services will also remain open and available for specialist mental health treatment for those who need it.

We will also continue to provide mental health and wellbeing support to the health and social care workforce.

Scottish Water has made no request for additional borrowing. Scottish Ministers will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on Scottish Water and its customers.

All care homes in Scotland are registered with the Care Inspectorate and these providers are required to notify the Care Inspectorate of a suspected or known outbreak of infection. This includes each individual case of COVID-19. The Care Inspectorate shares data on outbreak and deaths notification with Scottish Government daily. There are currently 1082 care homes in Scotland, of which 267 are classified as catering for vulnerable adults who are neither elderly nor have dementia. Of those, 75 care homes have notified the Care Inspectorate that there have been COVID-19 outbreaks on their premises.

That information is broken down as follows:

Care Home subtypes registered with the Care Inspectorate:

The use of contact tracing in a pandemic situation is addressed in the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/
system/uploads/attachment_data/file/213717/dh_131040.pdf

The impacts of COVID-19 on Scottish Water are being closely monitored. As set out in its budget the Scottish Government will lend Scottish Water £215 million during 2020-21. Scottish Water has made no request for additional borrowing in light of the pandemic.