Seòmar agus comataidhean

Recognising the range of interests and experience related to the work of the short life working group (SLWG) considering fundamental principles which will underpin a model for Scotland to effectively tackle and challenge men’s demand for prostitution, a reference group was established. The reference group receives regular updates on this work and has the opportunity to input through e-mail. It does not hold meetings.

Following meetings of the SLWG which considered how support services should be reflected in the principles and how local and national approaches should be considered within the model, the reference group were contacted with questions related to these themes, seeking their views. The feedback from the reference group will be taken into account when developing the principles.

The final meeting of the SLWG will take place in April 2022, with further stakeholder engagement taking place on the draft principles, prior to their finalisation. This will include further opportunities for engagement with the reference group.

Given the change in guidance on 18 April on asymptomatic testing and the ceasing of the universal testing offer as set out in the Test and Protect Transition Plan , it would no longer be appropriate for Covid Status Certification to be used domestically. We have therefore removed the guidance for customers and businesses on domestic certification from the Scottish Government website and the domestic function of the Covid Status app will be switched off shortly at a date to be agreed in line with the rest of the UK.

The NHS Scotland Covid Status app will continue to be used to facilitate international travel for the foreseeable future until it is no longer required.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07557 on‎ 19 April 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-07560 on 19 April 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

The Scottish Government regularly reviews its policies in relation to domestic abuse, with a clear example being the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme which is currently subject to a formal evaluation being carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University in partnership with Police Scotland, and the development of a Multi-Agency Domestic Abuse Homicide Review model.

This information is not held centrally.

Information on the numbers of teachers not in school for Covid-19 related reasons each week can be found here in the 'School Staff Absence' tab: COVID19 - Schools and Childcare Information August 2021 | Tableau Public

On 21 February 2022, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a Spring booster dose be offered in Scotland for the following groups.

• adults aged 75 years and over;
• residents in care homes for older adults;
• individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed.

The spring booster dose will usually be offered around 6 months after the last dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Some people may be invited sooner than this (but at least 3 months should have passed since their last dose) to help protect them against any increase in coronavirus infections.

NHS Scotland are contacting those eligible to arrange appointments.

More information on this can be found at Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccination | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot).

The 2019-20 Scottish Budget included a £29.5 million provision for implementing the Scottish Government’s commitment to extend free personal care to all those under 65 who need it. This funding was baselined into the Local Government Settlement and, while it was not formally ring-fenced, local authorities were advised how the funding should be utilised.

The pandemic has seen the NHS under the most severe pressure in its 73-year existence. Pausing of non-urgent activity has taken place in health systems across Scotland, and the UK, which has inevitably led to a build-up of the numbers of people waiting for treatment.

Through the NHS Recovery Plan, the Scottish Government continues to work with Health Boards, including NHS Grampian to support and prioritise recovery for planned care.

While NHS Grampian is working locally to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for patients waiting for surgery, specifically prioritising Cardiac Surgery wherever possible, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has been providing dedicated additional capacity for people waiting on cardiac surgery. This has paused briefly due to staffing pressures at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital as a result of the pandemic but will be reinstated as soon as possible.

Where a patients procedure is cancelled, NHS Grampian will try to reschedule this as soon as possible.

We are facilitating discussion with NHS Tayside and NHS Grampian to work towards opening additional capacity at Stracathro Regional Treatment Centre to further support both Boards. The National Treatment Centres will provide the single biggest increase in planned care capacity ever created in the NHS.

The Scottish Government published the framework for clinical prioritisation, which provides NHS Scotland with clear principles for prioritising planned care while ensuring appropriate COVID-19 safety and priority measures are in place. This guidance provides clear guidance on determining a patient’s clinical urgency and sets out review stages to ensure each individual patient’s case is assessed regularly to ensure the most appropriate care.

It remains our firm intention that exams take place this year. They would only be cancelled if public health guidance prevented gatherings during the exam timetable. The safety of children, young people, and all education staff remains the overriding priority.