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The Scottish Government commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the screening invitation in 2015. This research was carried out with women from both younger and older age groups and will be used to consider how we can deliver targeted communications to different age groups to improve uptake of cervical screening.

The Scottish Government commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the screening invitation at the end of 2015. A large part of this research focused on the facilitators and barriers to uptake. The results of this work has informed the communications strategy which supports the cervical screening programme and has fed into the development of an upcoming awareness raising campaign.

Scottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to share best practice in promoting cervical screening services, development of initiatives to improve uptake and how best to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

The Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Health Scotland, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, Cancer Research UK and the territorial boards to develop an awareness raising campaign which will aim to increase awareness of cervical screening among all women. During a second phase the campaign will be targeted towards women aged over 50. NHS boards have also sited information stalls at leisure centres and other community settings to target women over 50.

Recent local initiatives to increase the screening uptake for women with learning difficulties have included delivering training to day centre staff who work with people with learning difficulties and having dedicated staff working with women with learning difficulties, facilitating cervical screening and then assisting during appointments. We also encourage all NHS boards to utilise the information materials available to them in discussing cervical screening with women who have learning difficulties. In particular, the two easy read leaflets in NHS Health Scotland's 'Keep Yourself Healthy' series which deal with cervical screening, both of which are available to support people with learning difficulties in making an informed decision.

Initiatives which have taken place recently to increase uptake among women in deprived areas include events being held at local colleges; dedicated nurses working with the local homeless and travelling women to assist them with GP registration; and full health assessments including screening tests and evening clinics being held in GP practices in the most deprived areas.

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) Implementation Group, which includes Scottish Government officials, is actively working to introduce FIT as a first line test in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, but a final date for implementation has not yet been confirmed. The Scottish Government remains committed to introducing this change to the programme in 2017.

The Scottish Government works closely with independent expert advisory group the UK National Screening Committee, who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.

The Scottish Government and the Medical Research Council are investing £4 million and £2 million respectively to the Scottish Genomes Partnership for whole genome sequencing, in collaboration with Genomics England. This will contribute towards research to improve the understanding of genetic diseases and cancers and support the development of new diagnostic tests and treatments, including precision medicine.

The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy.

The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to deliver fit for purpose services which respond to local needs.

Funding on mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate services and treatment for people with mental health problems, including veterans, will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and local authorities by the Scottish Government.

Allocations relating to veterans’ issues made from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Division since 2007-08 are set out in the following table:

Scottish Government Mental Health Division Allocations	2007-08 (£)	2008-09 (£)	2009-10 (£)	2010-11 (£)	2011-12 (£)	2012-13 (£)	2013-14 (£)	2014-15 (£)	2015-16 (£)
Combat Stress - specialist mental health services	0	0	0	18,000	1,224,090	1,224,090	1,224,090	1,224,090	1,224,090
Combat Stress - specialist mental health services - Travel Expenses	0	0	10,204	11,348	11,659	12,600	11,829	7,640	0
Combat Stress - community mental health services	0	159,801	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000
Veterans First Point Lothian	250,000	130,000	130,000	130,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000
Veterans Scoping Review	0	0	13,215	0	0	0	2,471	0	0
SAMH Poppy Scotland Conference	0	0	8,500	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	250,000	289,801	361,919	359,348	1,635,749	1,636,690	1,638,390	1,631,730	1,624,090

Our national agency for sport, sportscotland, invests Scottish Government and National Lottery funding in recognised Scottish governing bodies of sport. Scottish disability sport (SDS) is the coordinating body for all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory and learning disability and has the lead role for developing the quality of disability sport for disabled people in Scotland. Sportscotland is investing up to £2,601,400 into SDS for the period 2013-17, an increase of 26% from the previous investment cycle (2009-13). sportscotland reviews its investment into Scottish governing bodies on an annual basis.

The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation in the national infertility group’s report, published on 13 June 2016, to increase the maximum number of IVF cycles from two to three. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.

The National infertility group’s report was published on 13 June 2016 at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/9960. The group was asked to look at a number of areas, including widening access criteria and increasing the number of full IVF cycles from two to three. The Scottish Government has accepted all recommendations in the report from the national infertility group, except the recommendation to remove eligibility for couples where the woman is aged between 40 and 42. The existing criteria in this area will remain. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.

Since July 2013, all NHS boards in Scotland have offered a maximum of two full IVF cycles for eligible patients. The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation in the national infertility group’s report, published on 13 June 2016, to increase the maximum number of IVF cycles from two to three. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.