Seòmar agus comataidhean

As part of the NHS Scotland response to coronavirus (COVID-19), an Innovation Workstream has been created to manage the evaluation of antibody and swab (PCR) tests. This workstream is led by NHS NSS and clinical scientists from NHS Health Boards, and is designed to take advantage of rapid innovations within testing, while at the same time avoiding duplication of effort between Health Boards.

As part of this workstream, antibody tests being used within Scotland are validated by NHS Scotland. The evaluation reports for the antibody assays which have currently been validated and are in use are publicly available, and can be found on NHS Scotland’s Health Innovation Assessment Portal . These evaluation reports show the high sensitivity and specificity of antibody tests approved for use within Scotland.

Scotland is also part of the UK National Testing Programme, participating in UK-wide antibody studies such as the Post Positive PCR Antibody Testing Initiative, where antibody tests have been validated by the UK Government. These validation reports are publicly available, and can be found on the UK Government website .

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the newborn hearing test and newborn infant physical examination. These would need to be requested from health boards directly.

The following table shows the number of babies screened using the bloodspot test in the newborn screening programme between January 2019 and July 2021.

It is important to note that the data provided below is management information and has not been subject to the necessary quality checks carried out for an official publication.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02419 on 21 September 2021. 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/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02419 on 21 September 2021. 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/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The following table shows the number of people screened for diabetic retinopathy in each month between January 2019 and July 2021. The Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) programme was paused between 30 March 2020 and 6 July 2020. When screening resumed, those at high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy were prioritised and invited first.

It is important to note that the following data is management information and has not been subject to the necessary quality checks carried out for an official publication.

The Scottish Government works closely with all stakeholders including Trade Unions, to deliver the vital communication messages across the Prison Estate and the Member will appreciate that staff as part of the wider community, can be vaccinated and it is not mandatory for staff to report their vaccination status, to their employer. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) throughout the Prison Estate is effectively ensuring that we are progressing vaccinations against COVID-19 in conjunction with health professionals from Public Health Scotland (PHS), as well as other health agencies .

We realise that through our work with public health agencies in conjunction with SPS, that we have a job to engage with the prison population. In many ways it mirrors the issues found in wider society and we are dealing with the hardest to reach. Tailored communications are delivered to those in a prison setting. The National Clinical Director attended HMP Barlinnie for a Q&A session with prisoners which was made available via prison radio and TV. Posters with the same national ‘roll up your sleeves’ messaging and appropriate photography were distributed to prisons to be displayed.

Scottish Government were advised of Mr Alexander’s death by NHS Ayrshire & Arran on 16 February 2021. At that time, the Board also confirmed that a review was ongoing to determine Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) reportable status. They further advised that the Health and Safety Executive had been advised by telephone of the death of a member of staff and that NHS Ayrshire & Arran would submit a RIDDOR notification if the internal review indicated this requirement.

Scottish Government has since been advised that in accordance with Health and Safety Executive COVID-19 RIDDOR guidance, Mr Alexander’s death was not, and has not, been formally reported to the Health and Safety Executive as it did not meet the requirements for reporting under RIDDOR.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02045 on 25 August 2021. 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/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Ministers will set out a statement of policy on the factors to be taken into account when considering whether to use the discretionary power within the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 in the coming months .

I would refer the Member to the fact as previously answered in S6W–02319 on 21 September 2021, prison staff are under no obligation to tell their employer of their Vaccination status, as it is not mandatory to be vaccinated. Although staff are paid away from work to attend a vaccination appointment and are offered paid leave if symptoms deliver, as part of employee support arrangements.

We are guided on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme by the Covid Vaccine Deployment Plan which was last updated in July 2021.

We are actively monitoring and evaluating the vaccination status for prisoners and young offenders. NHS bodies and public health agencies, are working collectively with The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to ensure we are constantly striving to make progress, on these matters, to ensure best practice is maintained. Each prison establishment has a Local Coronavirus Response Group to assist with planning locally.

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/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers