Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government has consistently and unequivocally indicated to the UK Government the significant impact Brexit would have across our whole economy, including health and social care. Leaving the EU, and in particular the loss of freedom of movement, has undoubtedly added to the challenge of attracting and recruiting new staff to work in remote and rural communities.

Further to engagement between the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, my predecessor and other devolved administrations about the impact of EU exit on the recruitment and retention of health and social care workers, the UK Government has amended the shortage worker visa scheme including social care workers through the Scottish Government remains of the view that this does not adequately address the barriers that exist.

We continue to invest in recruitment and retention of health care staff, including GPs in remote and rural locations and this include record levels of investment in international recruitment, direct support to international recruits, the Golden Hello scheme and the development of a National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Social Care.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, the draft regulations cited (to set minimum energy efficiency standards of EPC E, rising to EPC D) were withdrawn as a direct result of the impact Covid-19 has had on the private rented sector (PRS). Instead, as the Strategy confirms, the Scottish Government is now working with the sector to introduce regulations in 2025 which will require all PRS properties to reach a minimum standard equivalent to EPC C, where technically feasible and cost effective, at change of tenancy, with a backstop of 2028 for all remaining existing properties, in line with the direction provided by the Climate Change Committee.

Data giving an anticipated breakdown of properties not reaching EPC E is not available, however analysis carried out by the Energy Savings Trust in 2021 (using Home Analytics V3.7, which used a combination of modelled and reported data) gives a breakdown of PRS homes by local authority area which are assumed to be in bands E and F-G.

The Private Sector Landlord specialist advice service, run by Home Energy Scotland, provides bespoke advice to private landlords throughout Scotland, this can include property visits and modelling as well as tailored advice for older properties.

Home Energy Scotland is also the route to Scottish Government funded loans and further support, in particular the Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan ( Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan: overview - Home Energy Scotland ) and our national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland. This scheme is designed to make homes warmer for those living in or in risk of fuel poverty. Private rented sector tenants are generally not eligible for heating measures, however those who meet the criteria may receive energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, provided the landlord consents. Home Energy Scotland can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2282 or through their website https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/home-energy-Scotland .

There is also a range of guidance also available from Historic Environment Scotland to help with energy efficiency measures and climate change adaptations in listed buildings, traditional homes and buildings in conservation areas. This advice can be accessed through the Historic Environment Scotland website at: www.historicenvironment.scot .

NHS Lothian is currently developing plans for The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion replacement project which is one ten new National Treatment Centres that form part of the National Treatment Centres (NTC) Programme.

NHS Lothian reports that progress of Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion replacement project continues at pace. Recent progress includes the successful appointment of the senior project team and work to complete the exemplar building design.

The NTC Programme, which is supported by a significant investment of over £400 million investment, will create the biggest single increase in ring-fenced elective care capacity in NHS Scotland.

The new Health and Social Care Standards came into effect in April 2018. These replaced the National Care Standards and are applied to a diverse range of services, including early learning and childcare and services for children and young people. The Health and Social Care Standards were updated on 31 March 2022, following a public consultation, to include two new standards on visiting rights for care homes for adults.

The National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care was published on 11 March. It is designed around the strategic objectives which support recovery, growth and transformation of health and social care services. Through the plan we have committed to modelling a sustainable cancer workforce. This work will be taken forward by a subgroup of the National Cancer Recovery Group.

Alongside the work on the National Workforce Strategy, a short life working has been established to review immediate pressures on oncology services and identify measures needed to ensure we have a sustainable and resilient oncology service across Scotland. This group is chaired by our Senior Medical Officer and is reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

The Scottish Government will publish its consultation on proposals for mandatory calorie labelling in Out Of Home settings on the Scottish Government’s Citizen Space portal at https://consult.gov.scot/ and https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781804352465 on 8 April 2022.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on 1 July 2022.

The impact of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many health and social care services, including some cardiology services, had to be suspended or reduced in scope and scale. In some instances, novel modes of delivery were adopted to maintain important services (for example, some local services implemented drive up clinics for pacemaker checks).

Evidence based caution has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of our decision making around the provision of services throughout the pandemic. To support this, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport published a national Clinical Prioritisation Framework for Supporting Elective Care across NHS Scotland on 16 November 2020, updated on 8 December 2021. The expectation is that NHS Boards will follow the principles of this Framework to ensure that the patients with the greatest need are treated quickest.

Furthermore, addressing the backlog of care while continuing to meet the ongoing urgent health and care needs of the country is a priority. We published an NHS Recovery Plan in August 2021 which sets out our plans for health and social care over the next 5 years and is backed by over £1 billion of funding,

Regular pacemaker checks typically take place in outpatient clinics and so it is relevant to note that the Recovery plan includes a focus on increasing outpatient activity through supporting sustainable improvements and new models of care.

We are also taking specific action to minimise preventable heart disease and ensure that everyone with suspected heart disease in Scotland has timely and equitable access to diagnosis, treatment and care, through the implementation of our Heart Disease Action Plan (2021).

In March 2018, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued new measures to limit exposure to sodium valproate in utero, including the adoption of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme.

Following this, new and strengthened information materials for healthcare professionals and patients have been issued, including an updated Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet, new education materials for professionals, as well as updated packaging stamped with a new pictogram. Furthermore, updated guidance on the use of sodium valproate has been issued by both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

Prescribers in Scotland are expected to follow current drug safety information and the new measures in relation to sodium valproate to ensure women being prescribed this medicine are fully apprised of the risks and are able to make informed decisions.

The information requested is not held centrally. Public Health Scotland publishes a quarterly report on Diagnostic Waiting Times which covers eight key diagnostic tests. These diagnostic tests are used for a range of conditions, including cancer.