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Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data shows that in 2017-18, 53.8% of full-time first degree medical enrolments at Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were Scottish domiciled. At Northern Irish HEIs, 66.5% of full-time first degree medical enrolments were Northern Irish domiciled.  

Evidence shows that Scots domiciled graduates remain working in NHS Scotland in the longer term at a significantly higher rate than graduates from elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Following discussion with universities, a new target for Scottish domiciled and the rest of EU medical intake for 2019-20 was introduced in line with Scottish Government guidance to increase retention of medical students. This will enable 100 rest of UK medical students to be replaced with 100 Scottish domiciled/EU students on a phased basis over the next three years.

To date, 26 projects are being supported through the Screening Inequalities Fund. This includes a number of activities specifically tackling inequalities of access to cancer screening programmes within BAME communities. Examples of this work include the creation of an innovative new Outreach Service targeting women less likely to attend screening services; and raising awareness of breast and cervical screening within the Chinese community in Scotland.

We have also established a Screening Inequalities Network which will oversee the development of a national screening inequalities strategy and will include a 3 year programme of action.

Our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland is under development with work being taken forward with a wide range of stakeholders across the respiratory community and third sector.

The Plan will set out the main priorities to support NHS Boards in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Our expectation is to publish in late 2019.

We expect all clinicians, including GPs, to keep up to date with guidance, learning resources, medical advancements, the latest research and emerging treatments, as part of their continuing professional development - which includes the Scottish Good Practice Statement.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has responsibility for developing quality standards.

In the development of our Respiratory Care Action Plan all aspects of respiratory care are being considered including discussing quality standards for respiratory conditions with Healthcare Improvement Scotland .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22686 on 14 May 2019. 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 .

Increasing awareness amongst health care professionals of the symptoms of Lyme disease is an on-going priority for the Lyme Borreliosis Group, which is part of the Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN). The group has produced a suite of educational resources to aid health care professionals in the early detection and treatment of Lyme disease which can be accessed here:https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/public-health/health-protection/gastrointestinal-infection-and-zoonoses/ticks-and-lyme-disease.aspx

On 14 June 2019 the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all NHS Health Boards and GP practices highlighting the availability of these resources to staff and in February 2019, the SHPN hosted a clinician focussed, national Lyme disease educational event.

The majority of Lyme disease cases can be diagnosed and treated in primary care without the need for specialist input, however where specialist input is needed such cases would be cared for by Infectious Disease Consultants.

We will work closely with the third sector to deliver measureable improvements in mental health outcomes for children and young people across Scotland through the implementation of the Taskforce recommendations. This work will be taken forward by a new implementation board – the Children & Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme Board - and an invitation has been extended to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to nominate a representative to sit on the Board who they believe can adequately address the interest of all their members.

In addition, the membership of the Mental Health Strategic Delivery Board takes into account the full range of partners involved in the delivery of mental health services. This includes third sector organisations such as Penumbra, SAMH and VOX Scotland. Details on the full membership of the Board will be published in due course.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has equal access and support from mental health services. Through the establishment of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce and the Youth Commission on Mental Health, we have significantly prioritised the mental health of young people since 2017.

Following the publication of the Taskforce’s delivery plan in December the, Scottish Government announced additional investment of £4m to improve access to CAMHS and to support the development of prevention and early intervention services.

As we take forward the final recommendations of the Taskforce and the Youth Commission we will give particular priority to the needs of those groups of young people at risk of not being able to access mental health services. This work will be progressed by the new Programme Board announced on 4 th July 2019.

Our 10 year mental health strategy has been assessed for equalities impact and we will publish a refreshed equalities impact assessment in the next month, which includes updated analysis of poverty, race and age. We will make use of this analysis to inform our future Mental Health Strategy approach.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA, welcome the recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Taskforce and are grateful for the significant amount of work and thinking that has gone into their preparation. The inaugural meeting of a new Programme Board that will lead on the implementation of these recommendations, including national CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental Service standards which incorporate acceptance criteria for CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental Services, will take place in August 2019.