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As part of the NHS Scotland response to coronavirus (COVID-19), an Innovation Workstream has been created to manage the evaluation of antibody and swab (PCR) tests. This workstream is led by NHS NSS and clinical scientists from NHS Health Boards, and is designed to take advantage of rapid innovations within testing, while at the same time avoiding duplication of effort between Health Boards.

As part of this workstream, antibody tests being used within Scotland are validated by NHS Scotland. The evaluation reports for the antibody assays which have currently been validated and are in use are publicly available, and can be found on NHS Scotland’s Health Innovation Assessment Portal . These evaluation reports show the high sensitivity and specificity of antibody tests approved for use within Scotland.

Scotland is also part of the UK National Testing Programme, participating in UK-wide antibody studies such as the Post Positive PCR Antibody Testing Initiative, where antibody tests have been validated by the UK Government. These validation reports are publicly available, and can be found on the UK Government website .

NHS Scotland are working with colleagues in some international countries to create a system that will enable them to collect the appropriate information. A range of mechanisms is currently under consideration for how this can be done most effectively and efficiently.

The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel project has been running since 2008. The Developing Community Action phase of the project is due to run until April 2022.

Partners have agreed that that essential elements of the community action phase will need to continue and hence partners have also agreed to develop an interim phase to bridge the gap to develop a longer term model for continuing to support these activities. NatureScot is working with partners to assess the key outcomes and costs for this interim phase, and will look to provide a funding contribution once these costs and priorities are clear.

NatureScott considers that securing the legacy of this project is a priority given the importance of red squirrels in Scotland’s native wildlife.

Dental services have not been stopped during the pandemic period. Dental practices were initially closed with urgent and emergency dental care provided through urgent dental care centres. Dental practices reopened following a phased remobilisation programme which culminated on 1 November with dental teams able to provide the full range of NHS care and treatment to patients. While it is the case patient numbers continue to be less than pre-pandemic - as dental teams are required to operate within strict infection, prevention and control guidance - pregnant women and nursing mothers who required urgent or emergency dental care would still be seen during the pandemic period.

The Scottish Government have previously been made aware of this issue and earlier this year investigated the it further. Our investigation established that this was a historical, localised issue in the Aberdeenshire area where they had not been applying the guidance fully. Two years ago they revised their internal processes to ensure assessments were carried out on applications made by organisations seeking a Blue Badge in compliance with Scottish Governments Blue Badge guidance.

We are currently undertaking a review of the guidance we provide to Local Authorities to improve the process for organisations applying for a Blue Badge and to make it clear and consistent across the country. We are also seeking to ensure that the online application form is more robust and provides organisations and Local Authorities with all the necessary information to elicit a more efficient process.

The Scottish Government supports the Scottish Venison Strategy and its ambition for 2030 to make Scottish Venison the premier choice of consumers and commercial buyers, both here in the UK and in international markets. We have provided funding to support a venison promotion campaign earlier this year.

I was delighted to recently support Scottish Venison Day on 4 September and I was pleased that retail sales of Scottish venison have recently increased. As part of the Food and Drink Recovery Plan, the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership has also provided £80,000 to support demonstration sites for locally based chill and processing facilities.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a wild venison marketing board.

The Scottish Government has established a Covid Ventilation Short Life Working Group (SLWG) of expert advisors to consider what actions can be taken in the short, medium and long-term. It first met on 3 September 2021, with advice on initial recommendations due to be submitted to Ministers on 10 September 2021.

The SLWG is expected to be in place for 6-12 months. It will consider a more detailed timeframe for its programme of work at the next meeting later in September. The group will support our understanding of what measures building managers can take to improve ventilation in areas where it is found to be lacking.

When disruptions occur CalMac Ferries Ltd will conduct a network wide review to minimise the impact on communities. This includes redeployment of vessels from elsewhere on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network, identification of an alternative ferry route when an island (or group of islands), has more than one port, and provision of additional sailings on these alternative routes.

In this instance, it included additional sailings on the Uig – Lochmaddy route allowing onward travel to Lochboisdale, with the MV Clansman redeployed to operate this service. Services on all affected routes resumed normal timetabled sailings from 10 September 2021.

CalMac Customer Operations teams moved impacted traffic from affected sailings, contacting customers advising them of suggested alternative sailing; or if the customer preferred, offer a full refund.

Guidance on replanting on deep peat following clearfell is contained within the Scottish Government’s Practice Guide, Deciding Future Management Options for Afforested Deep Peatland (2015). It sets out the circumstances where a presumption to restore the peatland habitat applies and the assessment method that should be used to decide future options where a presumption to restore does not apply.

In 2018, the Scottish Government (via ClimateXChange – Scotland’s Centre of Expertise on Climate Change), commissioned the following report: Afforestation and restocking on peaty soils – new evidence assessment. The study broadly confirmed the findings of previous research on which the Practice Guide is based.

At this point in time there are no plans to review existing guidance however, we will continue to invest in research in this area, and will take account of new evidence, as it emerges, to help inform the future development and implementation of forestry policies and regulations.

The Forestry Grant Scheme already supports planting native broadleaved riparian woodland in a range of situations. Since 2016 the Forestry Grant Scheme has supported the planting of over 500 native broadleaved riparian woodlands.

Furthermore, all tree planting and restocking proposals must comply with the UK Forestry Standard, which promotes an integrated catchment management approach and places particular emphasis on riparian woodland and its role in protecting and restoring the freshwater environment.

Scottish Forestry will continue to develop and improve The Forestry Grant Scheme throughout the Stability and Simplicity rural funding transition period and as part of this there will be opportunities to review how it supports tree planting in different circumstances.

Forest and land Scotland (FLS) has no role in the Forestry Grant Scheme. FLS is a separate Agency charged with managing Scotland’s National Forest Estate.