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A core principle of the Vaccination Transformation Programme is that services will continue to be delivered to patients in a safe, sustainable and acceptable way. It will be a matter for Boards locally to determine whether or not any change in service provision will warrant consultation with the public, for example if there is a meaningful change in how patients access services, but in many cases this is not likely to be necessary.

In some parts of the country NHS Boards have already taken over responsibility for delivering vaccinations previously delivered by GPs, and all NHS Boards currently deliver school-based vaccinations.

The Scottish Government has no plans to review CEL 12 (2012). It is for the integration authorities, working with their local partners, to commission services and supports to meet the needs of their local populations, including their palliative and end of life care needs.

We are working on up-to-date advice for Joint Integration Boards, to support them in ensuring appropriate care.

In developing local approaches, individual GP practices will be consulted by their Health Boards at appropriate junctures.

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 is due to come into effect on 1 April 2018. There is currently no centrally held data for the number of people receiving respite breaks.

The Scottish Health Survey for 2012-2015 shows that around 2% of carers aged 16 and over said they received support through a short break or respite care service. This is equivalent to over 15,000 carers in Scotland.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11158 on 21 September 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Action 16 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 committed to fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health problems. Recruitment to the network has been completed and it is now operational

The network is conducting a review of services (both statutory and voluntary), available to women who experience any perinatal mental illness, across Scotland. This will be completed within the coming year. The network will then make recommendations regarding the adequacy of provision and how any identified gaps in service provision could be filled.

The Programme is using Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) methodology which includes requirements around risk. A key role of the Vaccination Transformation Programme governance will be to identify and manage risk, undertake equality impact assessments, and establish quality metrics for monitoring the impact of the new delivery model. Local risk assessments will also be carried out as plans progress.

At the heart of any change must be the core principle of patient safety. That is why our planned approach is of a three year transition with changes to services only taking place when it is safe to do so.

The Scottish Government has regular contact and discussion with NHS Boards covering matters relating to finance and performance. Details of engagements undertaken by Ministers since 2008 is available on the Scottish Government's website at the following addresses:

https://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data

I wrote to the Health and Sport Committee on 16 November to provide an update on the Scottish Government’s progress on implementing the recommendations of the Montgomery Review of Access to New Medicines.

Since publication of the Montgomery Review in December 2016, we have been working closely with relevant partners, stakeholders, patient representatives, the third sector and the pharmaceutical industry to consider the most appropriate and effective way to take forward the recommendations.

Copies of the letter are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 59333)

The Scottish Care Homes Census published by ISD Scotland provides information on the number of registered Care Homes places in each local authority area in Scotland at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Care-Homes/Previous-Publications/index.asp

The number of registered Care Homes places for years 2006-2016 can be found in data table 3 published on 25th October 2016 and for years 2000-2005 in data table 3 published on 29 October 2013.

The Scottish Government believes that young carers should be supported to have a life similar to their non-carer peers which includes having access to leisure and recreational activities.

The Scottish Government engaged with COSLA as part of the development of the new package of support for young carers that the First Minister announced on
20 September 2017. This package includes the proposed specific young carer element to the Young Scot National Entitlement Card which will provide targeted, non-cash rewards and benefits to young carers. Young Scot will work with a group of young carers to ensure the rewards are appropriately tailored to their needs. Young Scot will be engaging with local authorities and businesses over the rewards and benefits to be offered through the scheme, which will be rolled out from April 2019.