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The Scottish Government is not currently involved in any modelling work relating specifically to BA.2.86 (known in the media as the Pirola variant), but we continue to work closely with Public Health Scotland and other partners to monitor, assess and be ready to respond to any new outbreaks of COVID-19.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) include analysis on COVID-19 variants as part of their “ National respiratory infection and COVID-19 statistics ”. The report published on 14 September 2023 included the latest COVID-19 cases, wastewater levels and hospitalisations, as well as analysis on BA.2.86. Additionally, PHS currently publish a weekly update providing the latest information on BA.2.86 ( SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant in Scotland - weekly update - COVID-19 data and intelligence - COVID-19 - Infectious diseases - Health protection - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland) .

The risks continue to be low but in response to the identification of changes in variant BA. 2.86, we have taken the precautionary measure of bringing forward the planned vaccination of those at highest risk.

Targeted testing is in place to support clinical decision making and surveillance. We are working closely with Public Health Scotland, our clinical advisors and the other UK nations to routinely review our position and the clinical advice on COVID-19 in light of new variants. Evidence to date does not support a return to widespread community testing however we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19366 on 21 July 2023 in relation to the desktop review and a full list of the 254 properties identified as having two or more characteristics consistent with the presence of RAAC was placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 64387). NHS Scotland Assure also published the information on their website on 15 September. An update on progress with the national survey programme, including the list of NHS buildings where RAAC is identified, will also be published by NHS Scotland Assure and each local NHS Board.

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-21462 on 2 October 2023. 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 Scottish Government is aware of the pressure that hospices are under. I am meeting with hospices and hospice leaders to better understand the challenges they face and my officials are exploring how the Scottish Government can support Health and Social Care Partnerships with local planning and commissioning of independent hospice care in their areas. I am hosting a roundtable that will bring all relevant parties and representatives together to consider the challenges and potential solutions in the round.

The Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to support organisations struggling with energy bills, and will specifically raise the issue of additional measures to protect hospices.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20498 on 28 August 2023. 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 Scottish Government is facing the most difficult financial situation since devolution. I therefore wrote to the hospice sector on 17 August 2023 to let them know that, unfortunately, their request for funding of £15.5 million is currently unaffordable. However, the Scottish Government will continue to consider how best we can support independent hospices and Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), which are responsible for planning and commissioning palliative and end of life care, including hospices, in their areas.

The Scottish Government has been working with a number of partners to support the training and recruitment of a social care workforce to deliver integrated healthcare, which can include palliative care.

In collaboration with NES, the Scottish Government worked with the Home Office to ensure Adult Social Care workers were included on the Shortage Occupation List in February 2022, and that they will remain on this when this is next reviewed. To support international recruitment efforts, we have also collaborated with NES and COSLA to create the NES Centre for Workforce Supply: Social Care.

Further to this, we have been working with The Prince’s Trust and regional Developing the Young Workforce teams to encourage more young people to enter the social care workforce, and we continue to work with DWP, empowering their Work Coaches to support service users into careers in adult social care.

We also launched the National Induction Framework to support the onboarding process for new workers in February 2022, recognising that access to good onboarding can support staff retention by developing skills and confidence early on.

Under the Strategy Steering Group for Palliative Care, we have established a Workforce Education, Training and Resources Working Group to support the workforce and ensure that care is delivered by a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency workforce that is trained, skilled, valued and supported.

The Programme for Government commitment 2021 – 2022 to developing a new Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy is ongoing. We have established the leadership, partnerships and structures to develop and deliver a new strategy, and we have undertaken extensive evidence gathering to establish a robust evidence base, including current and projected data on palliative care needs, surveys of services and support across governance and delivery partners, and understanding user experience and priorities.

The Scottish Government remains committed to developing and delivering a new Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy. We have established a Strategy Steering Group to oversee the development and delivery which has now met six times. We have also established a number of working groups to gather evidence to inform the strategy and progress areas in parallel with the development of the wider strategy.