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We are committed to continuously improving the diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions, which is why we set out in our Programme for Government a Respiratory Care Action Plan to deliver these key priorities.

Work is now underway in developing the final Plan, in partnership with a wide range of key stakeholders including clinicians and third sector organisations such as Asthma UK – British Lung Foundation and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

As we continue to develop our understanding of the impact the virus has had on the health of the people of Scotland, the final Plan will play a key role in responding to the implications and consequences for many aspects of respiratory care going forward, including pulmonary rehabilitation.

NHS Boards have provided the following figures for current ICU capacity and surge capacity:

We are committed to taking action to support those experiencing the longer physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19, including those that have developed long-term respiratory problems as a result of contracting the virus.

Work to develop the final Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland is underway and it will play a key role in responding to the implications and consequences for many aspects of respiratory care going forward, including pulmonary rehabilitation.

We are prioritising the implementation of the Framework for Supporting people through Recovery and Rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Framework is available to read on the Scottish Government’s website. https://www.gov.scot/publications/framework-supporting-people-through-recovery-rehabilitation-during-covid-19-pandemic/ .

In addition to the Framework we are prioritising the clinical guidelines and funding research into the long-term effects of COVID-19.

We are committed to ensuring that people living with respiratory conditions in Scotland can access clinically appropriate, safe, effective and person-centred care treatment and support.

That is why, this year’s Programme for Government has committed to delivering a Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland, which will contain a set of commitments to drive improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions in Scotland.

The provision of free NHS dental treatment for children and young people under 18 years of age; people under 19 years of age and in qualifying full-time education; and expectant mothers or people who have borne a child in the previous 12 months is fixed by primary legislation as set out in the National Health Services (Scotland) Act 1978.

People with urgent dental problems have been able to receive care and treatment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as we have suppressed the virus we have been able to reintroduce more services. From 1 November dentists will be able to provide the full range of NHS care and treatment to patients.

1. Studies into the properties of copper in reducing microbes on its antimicrobial surface are promising, and antimicrobial copper surfaces provide an example of a novel technology that may supplement standard cleaning practices and potentially further reduce the transmission of nosocomial pathogens . However, the use of antimicrobial copper cannot replace regular cleaning/ disinfection.

2. Health Protection Scotland published a literature review on Antimicrobial Copper Surfaces in July 2017, which is available here . The review concluded that antimicrobial copper surfaces could supplement standard cleaning practices and potentially further reduce the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. However, whilst there was evidence supporting the use of copper alloy environmental surfaces, it was typically of low to moderate quality, and there was insufficient evidence to support the use of copper oxide-impregnated composite environmental surfaces and textiles.

3. The use of copper and copper compounds on surfaces in patient vicinities might also introduce alternative electrical pathways, which would need risk assessed.

4. In terms of reducing nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 more generally, we have worked hard to ensure that Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in hospital and other care settings are robust. This includes environmental cleaning and disinfection, in addition to other measures such as the appropriate use of PPE, extended use of face masks and coverings, physical distancing and testing, as well as risk assessed patient care pathways to help guide the implementation of measures for safe and effective care.

(a) UK Governments Department of Health and Social Care are responsible for the delivery of the UK Covid 19 testing programme, and as part of this, the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab.

(b) These three large NHS labs will, go live over November and December, and provide at least 22,000 tests per day for the NHS and will be under our direct control. Initially, the regional hubs will focus on processing care home staff tests and will offer vital resilience to health boards as we head into winter. The labs will be located in space previously occupied by Scottish Blood Transfusion Service. This includes sites at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, Lauriston Place in Edinburgh, and Foresterhill in Aberdeen.

To date, the Scottish Government has provided over £245 million of additional funding to support Health & Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) in responding to additional COVID pressures in 2020-21. Details of the allocation by expenditure categories are set out in the following table:

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring information on the Covid-19 epidemic in Scotland is available to the public. On this occasion, The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested, officials continue to work with Public Health Scotland to understand what information could be made available.

The Scottish Government has not held any specific discussions with NHS Lanarkshire regarding ambulance waiting times in the area.

We receive daily and weekly updates on ambulance service performance across the country, broken down by Board area and if any major concerns are identified these would be picked up with the ambulance service directly.

The Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Lanarkshire work very closely together on any issues identified with regular engagement taking place to ensure SAS continue to deliver the best possible care for patients.