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The epidemiology for the new variant of COVID-19 is being monitored by the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland service for new confirmed variant cases and is being assessed for hospital onset status. As the validated data become available from Health Boards, new cases will be assessed for their hospital onset status. ARHAI are exploring other possible routes to determine the hospital onset status of new variant cases more rapidly should there be an ongoing need to track nosocomial transmission, in addition to extant monitoring (hospital onset surveillance and clusters reporting system).

Should cases of the new variant be identified, advice from Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) experts in Scotland, as well as the UK IPC cell, is that there is no change to the existing IPC guidance. Robust IPC measures remain of paramount importance for reducing nosocomial transmission. This includes the appropriate use of PPE, the extended use of face masks, physical distancing, good ventilation, increased environmental cleaning, symptom vigilance, good hand hygiene and good respiratory etiquette.

The Scottish COVID-19 Addendum in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual should be followed, which can be found at: http://www.nipcm.hps.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-covid-19-infection-prevention-and-control-addendum-for-acute-settings/

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34260 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

Additionally, as I stated to the Health and Sport Committee in my letter dated 18 December 2020, it is not possible to be explicit on the date for the public consultation, given this is part of a wider process of engagement and input which has been placed on hold to prioritise resource for the pandemic. When capacity becomes available the public consultation will be an integral part of that process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34257 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34263 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

Additionally, my officials have had regular contact with both Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and the Care Inspectorate in relation to support they have given to Health Boards and care home providers throughout the pandemic. Government officials have held informal monthly meetings with HIS to discuss the programme work plan for the year, to focus on supporting workload and workforce planning during the pandemic, and progress that HIS could make during this time in relation to securing analytical and digital support from NHS Education for Scotland (NES Scotland), in preparation for developing approaches to multidisciplinary tool development.

The Care Inspectorate had commenced a scoping exercise relating to development of workload tools for care homes for adults. This work was paused due to the pandemic and will be re-established when appropriate, given the significantly stretched nature of available time and resources for those working in the sector during the ongoing pandemic. However, Scottish Government has supported them in developing a Care Management safety huddle tool during this time. This tool enables care homes to identify areas of concern and risk, including workforce, and supports a consistent approach to escalation to the Care Inspectorate and Health and Social Care Partnerships, which helps support them now and in preparation for the implementation of the Act, along with the duties this will impose on them. This tool will further inform future development of workload tools and methodologies in care homes for adults.

Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) is responsible for both the Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group and Education sub-group of that National Steering Group.

The Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group last met on 6 November 2019. The Education Sub-group last met on 28 January 2020.

The Programme was stepped down in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic and remobilised in September 2020.

HIS has not yet agreed a firm date for the Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group, but has confirmed that it will take place sometime before 5 February 2021. The first meeting of the reconvened Education Sub-group is scheduled to take place on 19 January 2021.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34257 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

This information is not centrally held. I suggest you contact the relevant Boards for this information.

The Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director most recently wrote to hospices on the 22 December 2020 to offer updated advice on visiting over the winter period.

This letter emphasised that Scottish Hospices are expected to follow the visiting guidance that is most closely aligned to the physical attributes of their service. It is important to reflect that the majority of patients cared for in this type of setting will fall under the visiting guidance exemption for end of life care. In such instances, we support hospices in taking a compassionate and bespoke approach to visiting to allow those nearing the end of life to be with their loved ones.

The Scottish Government remains in regular communication with Scottish Hospices, through the auspices of the Scottish Hospices Leadership Group, to provide further advice and support as required.

The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing meets the Lord Advocate from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Throughout 2020 the Scottish Government’s Cardiac Rehab Champion, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, was in contact with health boards across Scotland and worked with them to discuss alternative, Covid-appropriate options to traditional face-to-face rehabilitation.

Our overriding priority is to keep people safe, in their homes and in healthcare settings. Individual decisions based on the benefits and risks of treatment may have to be made for people living with a heart disease. Alternative therapy options involving fewer visits to hospital are being offered to individuals where these are considered clinically appropriate.