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The Scottish Government has enough testing stock to meet demand into next year and we are working with the UK Government on procuring additional stocks.

The Homeless Death report used classifications (known as ICD-10) for cause of death and the established National Records of Scotland definition of a drug-related death (see Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2020 ). Therefore, all drug-related deaths reported within the NRS Homeless Death Report will also be included in the National Records of Scotland drug-related death report.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05156 on 10 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05035 on 3 December 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

A requirement to keep at least 1 metre physical distancing between groups in hospitality and leisure settings came into force at 5 am on 27 December. Also from 27 December (at 5 am), we have put in place a table service requirement for hospitality venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises. Venues such as hospitality within theatres, which are unable to operate a table service, are required to put in place an adequate queue management system which maintains physical distancing. However, these measures do not apply to educational settings, workplaces, retail, public buildings and places of worship. These measures will remain into force at least until 17 January when their necessity and proportionality will be next reviewed in light of the latest data and evidence.  

Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership has been experiencing a period of significant hospital flow pressures due to a combination of sustained front door attendances and workforce issues and a drop in packages of care at home capacity, which has contributed to the increase in delayed discharges in Edinburgh. These are in addition to long standing recruitment and retention of Social Care staff within Edinburgh, and the availability of staffed care home places.

We know meaningful, fair work can provide important benefits for people’s mental health and wellbeing. Creating workplaces which support and promote good mental health benefits individuals and employers.

Our ‘Mental Health – Transition and Recovery Plan’ outlines our response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and our commitments to support mental health and wellbeing. The plan includes key employment actions to promote and support mental wellbeing at work.

A Short Life Working Group, consisting of employer groups, trade unions and mental health organisations has been established to help take forward key employment actions. The group is working collaboratively to identify the issues and challenges employers are facing in supporting mental health in a range of different workplaces, including office and home-based environments. The outcomes of this will inform the next steps to be undertaken to ensure employers have the support they need to create mentally healthy workplaces, free of stigma and discrimination across all sectors.

The group has a dedicated sub-group reviewing current national guidance on safer workplaces, including guidance on home working to ensure it reflects the importance of looking after employees’ mental wellbeing while working from home, and signposting to appropriate sources of advice and support.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05073 on 7 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Public Health Scotland publish a monthly census of delayed discharges in Scotland, broken down by Health Board and Local Authority, which allows for public scrutiny of progress in every partnership.

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, the Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and the Chief Officer of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership to monitor progress in tackling delayed discharges in Edinburgh.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), as the Independent Professional and Regulatory Body for teachers in Scotland, has a published Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy which sets out what GTCS will investigate under its fitness to teach procedures. It is available on the GTCS website and members of the public are encouraged to read it prior to submitting a referral to GTCS regarding a registered teacher.

The Scottish Government is aware of these issues and continues to have regular dialogue with GTCS on these matters.