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Researchers can apply to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) for funding. The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies Committee and Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Committees each meet twice per year to consider funding applications. Details of the application process are published on the CSO website: http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/funding-2/ .

Applications looking at the underlying causes, diagnosis and treatment of Lipoedema are welcomed. In common with all other applications, these would go through the CSO's standard independent peer review process.

Through the Chief Scientist Office, the Scottish Government contributes around £10 million annually to allow Scottish-based researchers to apply for funding to the UK-wide research programmes from the National Institute for Health Research. These schemes are open to applications looking at the underlying causes, diagnosis and treatment of Lipoedema.

All Lymphoedema clinics, which is where patients with Lipoedema go to see a specialist, will alert the referrer to the Clinical Practice Guide module and encourage awareness by sharing links and information.

The overall budget for the Take It Right Outside campaign was £1,200,883.06. The expenditure per financial year was:

13-14: £319,954.12

14-15: £310,098.57

15-16: £570,830.37

Through pre and post campaign tracking there was a 13% reduction in second hand smoke inducing behaviour. The percentage of respondents who said they never smoke inside the home increased from 39% to 48%. The campaign tracking in 2015 identified that 52% of campaign recognisers had taken some form of action as a result. Potential actions included: stopped second hand smoke inducing behaviour; stopped smoking in the home; tried to stop smoking.

The National Lymphoedema Care in Scotland Short Life Working Group (SLWG) was commissioned in 2015 by the Chief Medical Officer to review and deliver the recommendations identified in the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (SMASAC) report to improve Lymphoedema care which was led by Sir Lewis Ritchie.

The Group met on a quarterly basis from 2015 to November 2016. Meetings were held at both Scottish Government Buildings and NHS Hospitals within Edinburgh. Group meetings were timetabled in two hour slots. Members of the Group included Lymphoedema specialists from all NHS Boards, Scottish Government Policy officials and National Education for Scotland Representatives.

The main objectives of the meetings were to deliver the recommendations within the SMASAC report. The group recognised the need to prioritise and raise the profile and focus on delivery of best model practice across the spectrum of Lymphoedema services for both primary and secondary cancer and non-cancer related Lymphoedema and ensure that services are in place for those affected at all ages.

Outcomes achieved included developing an integrated care pathway to highlight areas that require to be considered to support improvement work. This has been informed by a tiered model of care. A comprehensive service audit to identify both good practice and service gaps was also collated and is now shared with all NHS Boards.

It was agreed at the SLWG meeting on November 2016 that the group had met the recommendations of the SMASAC report as far as was within their remit and that a SIGN guideline was the most comprehensive conclusion to meet the outstanding recommendations. A SIGN application was developed by the group and submitted to SIGN in December 2016 requesting specific guidelines be produced for Lymphoedema.

SIGN have just recently advised that while at present they do not feel there is enough scope to develop a guideline they will potentially take forward the development of a best practice guide. SIGN will update on progress and timescales for delivery of the guide.

The current status of the SLWG therefore is that the group will now be closed as the recommendations have been met and SIGN have agreed to progress the guideline.

Dr Alex Munnoch is the leading surgeon who performs liposuction as a treatment for Lipoedema in Scotland. He and his team are based at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Dr Munnoch is a leading international expert on Lymphoedema and Lipoedema.

Due to the number of liposuction operations Mr Munnoch is required to carry out to maintain his skill set, there is no demand for a second surgeon in Scotland.

My announcement that I will personally appoint Whistleblowing Champions will have no direct impact on proposals to establish an Independent National Whistleblowing Officer for NHSScotland (INWO), as this will be a fully independent function.

Legislation will be introduced so the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) can take on the role of the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer for NHSScotland (INWO). We are in ongoing discussions with the SPSO, and anticipate the role will become operational in 2019.

Alongside this, we will be working with stakeholders to develop the new dedicated Whistleblowing Champion roles.

Existing Whistleblowing Champions will have the opportunity to apply for these dedicated roles in an open, fair and transparent appointments round. They would also have the option of remaining in their current posts as Non-executive Directors, should they prefer to do so.

We will be working with stakeholders to develop the new dedicated Whistleblowing Champion roles, including the timescales for appointments.

I have recently published the Waiting Times Improvement Plan which states that we will pursue use of the independent sector in a structured and prioritised manner. Over the next 12 months we will develop a National Contract, based on clinical priorities, to make a more efficient and strictly limited use of the independent sector’s contribution to help deal with capacity issues. This will provide short-term capacity while longer-term NHS capacity is put in place in line with the plan.

Any measures on planning or licensing for tobacco-control would require full public consultation.

As set out in the 2018 tobacco-control action plan, we are first gathering evidence on, and considering the impact of, price strategies and reducing tobacco outlet density. If that gives us clear evidence that restrictions on these would reduce the harms and inequalities associated with smoking we would then consider ways to implement change. The action plan states that Regulations to introduce compliance conditions to the existing retail registration scheme could be an option for making change. The action plan refers to licensing and national planning guidance as other options that might also be considered.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to Fair Work and in the absence of legislative powers over employment, the Fair Work Action plan will clearly articulate the actions we will take to help embed a culture of Fair Work and Fair Work practices in Scottish workplaces by 2025. Our new default position – Fair Work First – will see Fair Work criteria extended to as many funding streams and business support grants as we can.

The Scottish Public Finance Manual provides guidance on accountability arrangements for the use of public resources, such as grant payments. Funding will remain subject to the lead business area being satisfied as to the standing and relevant experience / expertise of the recipient and any deliver partners.

The Scottish Government is working with disabled people’s organisations, the third sector, and disabled people, including those who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, to assess the support that is needed to enable people to move into and stay in work.

For those currently in employment, we will support individuals and employers by providing advice about the DWP’s Access to Work programme, which provides practical support for disabled individuals who are in employment. Partners such as Skills Development Scotland are key in offering advice and support to employers to ensure that they are able to fully unlock the talent of their dyslexic employees.

For those who are further from the labour market, our new, and voluntary, employability programme, Fair Start Scotland, offers 12 – 18 months of pre work and 12 months of in-work support. Support given through Fair Start Scotland is tailored and personalised, based on an assessment of each individual.

By the end of the year, we will publish a Disability Employment Action Plan, which will provide detail on how we intend to reduce the disability employment gap. The plan draws on the extensive consultation we have had with disabled people, and will address identified priorities.