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A public health surveillance system for ongoing analysis and interpretation of alcohol and drug health-related data is being developed. Understanding the scope, scale and impact of the problem will inform action to reduce harm and prevent premature death. The work is defined in our drug and alcohol strategy, Rights, Respect and Recovery, and is being led by Public Health Scotland (PHS). PHS are placing a particular focus on the surveillance drug harms and deaths and this is being developed on behalf of the Drug Death Task Force.

PHS are working to provide a statement with more information on how this system will operate and the partners involved. This will be available in September.

We have committed to revising and improving substance use education, both in and out of school settings, to ensure it is good quality, impactful and in line with best practice and we are currently working with PHS to deliver this. We are also taking forward substance use education work in our schools through Curriculum for Excellence, to inform young people and help them make healthy choices.

The investigation into the safety and operation of the A702/A703/Old Pentland Road junction has identified a number of options to reduce vehicular conflict at this location. As the A703 and Old Pentland Road are the responsibility of Midlothian Council, Transport Scotland is collaborating with them to ensure effects on the trunk and local road networks from potential interventions are fully considered.

The site constraints at this location are extremely challenging, with topography and the presence of adjacent housing making it difficult to develop a solution that would meet current design standards. Improvements are therefore likely to be complex and further investigation will be required to understand their feasibility and buildability. Improvements may also require public consultation, with any objections to proposals having potential to delay or curtail alterations to the junctions.

Once a preferred option has been confirmed by Transport Scotland, following engagement with Midlothian Council, delivery will then be subject to prioritisation with other road safety schemes in the South East trunk road area, and the availability of sufficient funding for a scheme of this scale.

The information that is available is given in the following table, which was supplied by National Records of Scotland (NRS). The figures were produced from NRS’s records of the deaths that were registered in Scotland in each year. The latest year for which NRS’s statistical data on causes of death have been finalised, and a definitive breakdown of the numbers of deaths by cause can be provided, is 2018.

In this answer, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been taken to refer to thrombosis of the deep veins of the leg. Deaths from DVT frequently occur from complications of the DVT, principally pulmonary embolism, so deaths from pulmonary embolism have been included in these figures.

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) system, which is used in the UK to classify deaths, does not allow deep venous thrombosis to be separated from phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), so these figures may include a small number of deaths due to phlebitis.

Deaths attributed to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)* registered in Scotland, 2014 to 2018

The Scottish Arthroplasty Project https://www.arthro.scot.nhs.uk/ will publish their annual report providing information on the numbers of hip and knee replacement surgeries taking place during 2019 in September 2020. As there is less than 12 weeks before publication data release of this information is currently embargoed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29356 on 10 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Public Health Scotland issues letters removing individuals from the shielding list on behalf of the NHS Boards. As at 2nd July 2020, 9,221 removal letters have been issued.

The following table details instances where a removal letter has been sent. For generic removals it is not possible to identify the reason for the removal.

Number of individuals sent Shielding Removal letters by Letter Type (as at 2nd July 2020)

The £25 million Third Sector Resilience Fund is part of the £350 million Communities Fund.

As of 30 June 2020:

• Investment has helped save organisations that have a collective annual turnover of c£0.5bn.
• Close to 14,000 jobs have been saved.
• There were 3253 applications with a cumulative value of over £81.6m.
• Grants totalling £21.4m have been made to over 1261 organisations.
• The fund has now committed 100% of its original value.

Details of the awards made under the Third Sector Resilience fund can be found at https://www.firstport.org.uk/news/awards-made-by-the-third-sector-resilience-fund/  The Scottish Government has published a new collection of digital maps showing where funding has been given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). The online dashboard enables users to view financial support by local authority across four main funds. Full details can be accessed via https://www.gov.scot/policies/poverty-and-social-justice/funding/ 

I refer the member to the answer to question number S5W-29356 on 10 July 2020. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

The Scottish Charity Register is maintained by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and charities registered are required to submit their accounts to OSCR. OSCR operates independently of the Scottish Government and Scottish Ministers are not accountable for OSCR’s operations. The Member is invited to refer the question to OSCR.

Young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and mental health problems are able to access the three regional adolescent Inpatient Units (IPU).This group was considered when the regional network of adolescent IPUs was expanded to 48 beds for Scotland.