Seòmar agus comataidhean

Details are as follows:

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34097 on 12 February 2025. 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 2025-26 draft budget provides increased investment of £139 million across the NHS estate. This allows plans for Monklands and Belford hospital replacements and a new eye pavilion to be progressed, supports a new radiopharmacy facility and provides increased core capital allocations to NHS Boards, as well as additional support for Boards’ priority maintenance and improvements.

The budget also provides continued support for NHS projects already in construction and for the national replacement programmes for ambulances and radiotherapy equipment.

Beyond this, further NHS projects cannot be supported at this time, as there remains challenge and uncertainty in the capital budget position. All due consideration will be given as to which projects are affordable and deliverable, following the outcome of the UK Government’s spending review.

This will be supported by our work with Health Boards to develop a whole-system NHS infrastructure plan which will consider health infrastructure needs for the whole of Scotland, supporting the continued safe operation of existing facilities, as well as determination of longer-term investment priorities.

Scottish Government regularly receives data from wellbeing services that support healthcare professionals. Each of the services actively gather user feedback which is shared with Scottish Government who use it to enhance and develop their wellbeing resources.

Scottish Government funding of over £2.5m has been committed to support the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals in 2024-25. These resources include a 24/7 compassionate listening service, confidential treatment for mental illness through the Workforce Specialist Service and access to psychological therapies and interventions.

Prioritising these treatment and therapeutic programmes reflects our commitment to offer care and support to those staff suffering from burnout and mental illnesses.

In addition, the National Wellbeing Hub offers a range of self-care wellbeing enhancing resources and signposting to relevant mental health and support services. The content of The Hub is fully shaped by Health and Social Care (HSC) stakeholders, with a key focus on providing support and education on recognising and addressing burnout. It aims to help individuals identify burnout in themselves and others, offering practical interventions to prevent or mitigate its effects. These resources are designed both for individuals and those in supportive roles within teams, as well as guidance on accessing further support and recovery services.

It is recognised that more must be done to improve the working conditions of HSC staff to reduce the risk of burnout at its source.

The Scottish Government does not collate information on medical boarders centrally.

Health Boards operate their own policies for the management of inpatient capacity. Therefore, the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information.

I can confirm in the 12 months to December 2024, 8.7% of planned operations were cancelled, however only 2.3% were cancelled due to capacity or non-clinical reasons.

Cancellation based on capacity or non-clinical reason by hospital includes:

• no beds available
• staff not available
• equipment not available
• theatre session overran

Abuse towards NHS staff is unacceptable, and Health Boards must take appropriate action against anyone who assaults a staff member. It is an employer's duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely in partnership with Health Boards to identify ways to protect staff and deter perpetrators at a national level.

This is a matter for NHS boards and Police Scotland. The information requested is not held centrally.

No-one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work and assaults on NHS staff are completely unacceptable. We encourage Health Boards to support criminal proceedings, where appropriate, against anyone who assaults staff. NHSScotland staff can access a range of services to care for their physical and mental health. This includes employee assistance programmes, trauma counselling services and pastoral support, to ensure a safe working environment.

The wellbeing of our health and social care workforce remains a key priority and we are working to ensure that the right level of support is offered across the system. Scottish Government funding provides our workforce with access to psychological interventions and therapies, self-service resources through the National Wellbeing Hub and the National Wellbeing Helpline delivered by NHS 24 to support their wellbeing. We also provide access to confidential mental health services through the Workforce Specialist Service.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34284 on 12 February 2025. 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

Guidance for staff in relation to usage of IT is provided in the IT Code of Conduct, which sets out acceptable usage for Scottish Government devices and networks. It covers:

• personal use of SCOTS and the internet
• misuse of IT misconduct examples
• accidental access to restricted sites
• sharing sensitive data by email
• monitoring

The code aligns with the wide range of legislation to tackle the potential criminal and civil liability issues that may arise from colleagues’ misuse of communication facilities while at work.