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As part of the programme of implementation for The Best Start, the Scottish Government has established a Workforce and Education Group to consider a suite of recommendations relating to the training requirements to support the new models of care recommended in the Best Start. The work of the group has focused mainly on working with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and our Early Adopter Boards to understand the training required to introduce the new continuity of carer model of care. NES has designed a training package to support this and is rolling this out across Scotland, with many courses already available and others coming on stream through the first half of 2019.

The Scottish Government recognises that funding will be required to support the transformation of maternity and neonatal services beyond 2019-2020. Discussions with stakeholders to understand their requirements to continue to deliver the models of care proposed in the Best Start are underway.

The Scottish Government is investing £12m in the Best Start over the first two years of implementation (2018-19 and 2019-20).

Since the Foundation Apprenticeship Programme started in 2016, 227 pupils have started the Civil Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship framework.

Skills Development Scotland does not report which schools offered the Civil Engineering framework but rather how many pupils commenced the framework at the beginning of the academic year.

Scottish Government has noted with interest the recent trial looking at whether testing for levels of placenta growth factor (PlGF) reduces the risk of women developing severe pre-eclampsia and we will consider its place in the care of pregnant women in Scotland in discussion with other relevant organisations.

NHS Boards receive a baseline budget from the Scottish Government to provide health services for their local population, and for those functions delegated to their Integration Authority there is agreement on the amount for onward allocation. This includes funding to support alcohol and drug addiction services. The Scottish Government corresponds regularly with Health Boards and Integration Authorities to monitor and review performance with reference to agreed resource budget allocations and the implementation of Local Delivery Plans.

This includes an allocation letter that is sent each year to delivery partners - NHS Boards, Chief Executives and Director of Finance and Integration Authority Chief Officers that sets out the Ministerial Priorities which Health Boards are expected to address within this funding envelope.

We continue to prioritise an outcomes focused approach. This is enabling local statutory partners including Integration Authorities, Health Boards and Councils to work together to make best use of their total resources and ensure people have access to the right care at the right time in the right place.

Alcohol and Drug Partnership funding is provided to NHS Boards as part of their baseline allocation for onward delegation to Integration Authorities. Additional funding from the 2017-18 Programme for Government for 2019-20 will be communicated to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships following the completion of internal Scottish Government discussions.

The total financial resource available to alcohol and drug services in any given year includes contributions from the NHS and other statutory partners across a range of provision. Integration Authorities determine the final allocation to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships from all the funds available to them.

There are strict maximum permitted levels of nitrites that can be used by the manufacturers of cured meat products. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed nitrites as food additives in April 2017 and concluded that it was not necessary to change previously set statutory safe levels. Food Standards Scotland advice remains that the use of nitrates and nitrites in food remains safe when used in accordance with regulatory limits prescribed in food additives legislation.

All hospital food must meet national Food, Fluid and Nutrition standards. This takes into account the latest scientific advice on the amount of red and processed meat that can be consumed for a healthy, balanced diet. Health Boards are responsible for ensuring that food provided meets these and all other relevant standards and under the NHS Scotland procurement framework all suppliers must adhere to all relevant requirements including those under the Food Safety Act (as amended) 1990 and Scottish/UK/EU food safety related regulations.

Officials have been working with partners to establish the appropriate funding model for distribution of the resource to education authorities. It is anticipated that this will be agreed and the resource distributed in Spring 2019. It will be for local authorities to make decisions on how best to deliver the service in their local area, building on effective arrangements that may already be in place. We remain on course for delivering the commitment set out in the Programme for Government by September 2020.

These services are intended to be linked into the local service delivery model to enable appropriate links to be made to family services, social work and health services including CAMHS, where appropriate.

Initial investment of £26.7 million was allocated to NHS Boards, including the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, in 2018/19 – see table for breakdown of funding awarded to individual Health Boards.

This funding was used to support a range of actions and put in place additional capacity aimed at reducing waiting lists.

Funding decisions for 2019/20 are currently under consideration.

Breakdown of funding awarded to NHS Boards