Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05219 on 17 January 2022. 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 .

We are analysing the text of the Act to understand how it could interact with Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), but in order to assess impact fully we need to understand the UK Government’s intentions for its own DRS. We have not yet seen their response to their recent consultation.

The timescale set out in December 2021 was for such contracts to be signed by the end of March 2022. I am aware that Circularity Scotland Ltd is currently in commercial negotiations and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

The figure is based on Circularity Scotland Ltd’s assessment of its expected annual turnover as scheme administrator once it is in steady state.

We anticipate that implementation and operation of DRS will generate a range of business and employment opportunities in the extensive infrastructure and logistics required for the scheme, for example in the construction and operating of sorting and bulking centres.

Participation of small producers is vital to the success of the scheme and we believe we have taken their needs into consideration in designing DRS.

We have consulted extensively with businesses of all sizes that will be affected by the implementation of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. We are not aware that any producers have decided to cease doing business in Scotland, although we are aware that some have expressed concerns about whether they will continue to sell their products in Scotland.

This is one of the reasons why we have applied a de minimis for the SEPA registration fee. This will remove a cost for businesses operating below the current VAT threshold, benefiting around 1,600 of the more than 4,000 anticipated producers selling into the Scottish market

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires those handling waste to ensure that it is handled in a fashion that promotes high-value recycling.

Return points, producers and Circularity Scotland, when handling returned scheme packaging, including glass, will therefore have an obligation to promote high-value recycling regardless of whether the glass is collected manually or by the use of reverse vending machines.

Planning of community rehabilitation delivery is the responsibility of individual NHS Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships.

Our vision is for everyone with rehabilitation needs to be able to access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms. Exploring ways to improve access to rehabilitation is a key aspect of the work underway to develop a progressive stroke pathway document.

With regard to measuring performance, the provision of appropriate rehabilitation, in both acute and community settings, currently forms part of the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme (SSIP) criteria-based assessments.

These are currently being reviewed and expanded and will form part of the regular reviews which are undertaken by the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme team with each Health and Social Care Partnership. We will also consider how these might be integrated into the Scottish Stroke Care Audit if effective.

The self-isolation exemption guidance for health and social care staff is based on the latest clinical and public health evidence and advice, and has been updated on a regular basis as we learn more about new variants, transmission and severity of illness from COVID-19. Clinical advisors within Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland (PHS) provided their expert advice to this guidance. For more information on this advice you can visit the latest PHS guidance for Health Protection Teams.

It is worth noting that as of 28 February this exemption does apply to the general population. Self-isolation guidance states that if you test positive, you should pause routine LFD testing for 28 days after self-isolating. Count the 28 days from the day your symptoms started, or the date of your positive test if had no symptoms. If you are identified as a close contact during this time, you do not need to test or self-isolate as long as you do not have any new symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. If you develop new symptoms, self-isolate and book a PCR test.

There is evidence that access to a stroke unit improves outcome for stroke patients.

The Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA) monitors the quality of care provided by the hospitals in all NHS Boards and access to a stroke unit is a standard measured by SSCA, alongside other standards associated with improved patient outcomes. Performance against the standards, and more detail on service models can be found here:

Scottish stroke improvement programme 2021 national report - Scottish stroke improvement programme - Publications - Public Health Scotland .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07140 on ‎ 21 March 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