Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00570 on 21 June 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government will consult with relevant Local Authorities, island stakeholders and importantly, island communities themselves.

A key objective of the Carbon Neutral Islands project will be to create sustainable economic opportunities including new jobs and businesses, as part of our ambition to create a low carbon economy for Scotland. How we will do this and what jobs and skills island residents and communities want to see created will feature as part of our engagement on the design and development of the project.

In Scotland, it is estimated that over 9 in 10 adults, or 93.6% of the adult community population (95% credible interval: 92.3% to 94.7%) would have tested positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from a blood sample in the week beginning 9 August 2021, suggesting that they had the infection in the past or have been vaccinated. Those who have tested positive for antibodies may have obtained them from prior infection before vaccination.

Antibody data from the ONS COVID-19 infection survey was published by the Scottish Government on 1 September 2021 at: Coronavirus (COVID-19): ONS Infection Survey – antibody data – 1 September 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Ambulances are not single-crewed other than in exceptional circumstances, such as short notice unplanned staff absences, and every effort is made to double crew ambulances through rostered and relief staff, overtime or ambulance bank staff. Scottish Ambulance Service Technicians are able to deliver high quality care to patients, but where a paramedic skill set is required, paramedics will be tasked to calls.

The Scottish Government has been working closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service to reduce single-crewing wherever possible. Prior to COVID-19, we had a plan in place with the Service to reduce instances of single crewing. This resulted in instances of single crewing falling to 0.9% in quarter 1 of 2019/20.

Unfortunately as a result of COVID-19 there has been occasions where single crewing has had to be used as a result of late notice staff abstractions, however we are continuing to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to reduce this where possible.

The UK-wide Principle Trial (Platform Randomised Trial of Treatments on the Community for Epidemic and Pandemic Illness) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is looking at early treatment for COVID-19 to prevent ill health and hospitalisation. It is evaluating a number of potential treatments. More information about this trial is at: Join the PRINCIPLE Trial — PRINCIPLE Trial

The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office is also funding a trial of a potential anti-viral medicine as an early treatment of COVID-19. More information about this trial is at: GETAFIX - Glasgow Early Treatment Arm FavipiravirX (getafix-trial.org.uk)

A well-functioning care sector will be vital in delivering a prosperous wellbeing economy for Scotland – one that is strong, fair and green.

The Scottish Government’s Economic Recovery Implementation Plan published in August 2020, acknowledged the care sector as key economic infrastructure and recognised that investment in care yields significant economic returns.

The Scottish Government has committed to delivering a 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation in Autumn 2021. This strategy will set out the steps we will take to deliver a stronger, fairer and greener economy.

The Scottish Government is not able provide this information; this would require minute by minute analysis of all data held for the specific areas and all surrounding areas as the Scottish Ambulance Service operates a national service.

Vehicle cover provided is dynamic and fluid with ever changing variables.

The Scottish Government met with the EIS on 8 September for their bi-annual meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. Education recovery, Staffing and COP26 were discussed.

The Scottish Government has regular meetings with the EIS to discuss a range of issues relating to education.

Information on how many people have received a dementia diagnosis in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board, is not collected or held centrally.