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The Local Delivery Plan Standard for IVF Waiting Times is for ‘90 per cent of eligible patients to commence IVF treatment within 12 months of referral. The 90% standard continues to be met since it was first measured in March 2015.

Waiting time statistics on the waits experienced by patients from referral to screening appointment for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment can be found on the PHS website at the following link: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ivf-waiting-times-in-scotland

This is the latest IVF Waiting Times publication and data from January 2016 to present can be downloaded under Data Files, data from July 2014 can be found https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2018-08-28/2018-08-28-IVF-Waiting-Times.xlsx . Collection of waiting times data on IVF screening and waiting times only began in 2014.

As the statistics produced are predominately based on aggregate data and presented in 13 week time bands an average (mean) waiting time cannot be calculated.

The Breast Screening Programme Board (BSPB), which oversees breast screening in Scotland, has agreed that the option for women aged 71 and over to self-refer into the breast screening programme will resume once all screening centres are able to offer those aged 53-70 their breast screening appointments within 39 months of their previous screening. Progress towards this is being closely monitored, and the timing for restarting the option for women aged 71 and over to self-refer into the programme is regularly reviewed.

The breast screening programme offers routine screening to women aged between 50 and 70 years old. It remains important for women of all ages to be symptom aware, and to report any concerns about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer to their GP straight away, so that they can be promptly investigated. Their GP will be able to refer women of any age for further investigation and treatment if required. Further information regarding the possible symptoms of breast cancer can be found at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/breast-cancer-female.

National Records of Scotland produce an annual National Statistics publication each year on drug-related deaths in Scotland. The most recent report provides information on drug-related deaths details in 2020 and earlier years. Section 7 of the report provides an overview of drug-related deaths by substances implicated. Tables SUB1 and SUB2 provide information on the substances which were reported for drug-related deaths in Scotland between 2000 and 2020. Tables HBX and CX provide figures for individual drugs, for NHS Boards and councils. Annex E and Table NPS1 provide information relating to New Psychoactive Substances.

The full report and supplementary tables can be accessed from the following link: Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2020 | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

Hospital admissions

Public Health Scotland information on hospital activity relating to illicit drug use in Scotland are not specific enough to identify the substances specified (heroin and methadone are the only opioids with specific ICD-10 diagnostic codes).

This technical guide is an example of Historic Environment Scotland’s important and pioneering work in climate change research. The guide is positive in addressing the common assumption that older buildings are harder to treat, and enables the owners of traditional and historic properties in Scotland to make informed choices about the options available to improve energy efficiency.

Since 2015-16, around 180 listed Scottish public bodies have been required to report annually on compliance with their statutory climate change duties. To assess progress on emissions reduction, the Scottish Government funds the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) Secretariat to produce an annual analysis of the submitted reports. Reported emissions from the public sector continue to decrease, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions down 28.5% since mandatory reporting began in 2015-16.

The Scottish Government will bring forward a prospectus for an independent Scotland in good time before the independence referendum to allow people to make an informed choice on their future.

We know that recent energy price rises will cause people to worry. My foremost concern is for households affected by these price rises, particularly those who are in or at risk of fuel poverty. It is worth noting that the setting of tariffs in the gas and electricity markets is reserved to the UK Government and subsequently we have called for action from the UK Government to address these issues. We are committed to using our available powers to support consumers however, that is why we are making £10 million available to help people struggling with their heating costs this Winter.

I would also encourage anyone struggling with their energy bills to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland for advice on how to reduce their fuel costs.

Local authorities and Police have a range of powers under the current Coronavirus regulations, including the power to issue notices and directions on businesses to take specific actions. Similar powers have been in place under previous regulations. Enforcement action is the last step of the 4 Es approach (Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce).

No Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to hospitality businesses by local authority officers under these regulations. Local authorities have sought to resolve any issues with businesses without resorting to formal enforcement, and where this has been necessary direction powers and improvement notices are the tools that have been used. Engagement and enforcement of the regulations on business premises has been led by the local authorities, rather than Police Scotland. Police Scotland do not publish data on FPNs issued.

We recognise the pandemic’s impact on the economy and businesses across a wide range of sectors. So far, the Scottish Government has provided £79.3 million directly to taxi and private hire drivers and operators in response to the pandemic. Further support of up to £28 million was announced on 5 January 2022 from within the £375 million package of funding announced on 21 December 2021, bringing total support for the sector to over £107 million. We will work closely with delivery partners to make payments to eligible businesses at the earliest opportunity, which is of course our established approach. Eligibility criteria will be published shortly.

From September 2021 we have introduced quarterly reporting of suspected drug-related deaths, providing far more timely data on the DRD crisis/situation for the first time. This report uses management information from Police Scotland on suspected drug deaths. The second publication of these suspected figures was in December 2021 and covered the period from July to September 2021 ( Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: July to September 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) ). The next report will be published in March 2022 and will cover suspected deaths up to the end of December 2021.

We continue to work with Police Scotland, Public Health Scotland and National Records of Scotland to review the surveillance data we have, review quality and determine whether additional information could be published in the future.