Seòmar agus comataidhean

Information on the number of patients within NHS Grampian who have been waiting more than 12 weeks is published quarterly by Public Health Scotland and can be found at NHS waiting times - stage of treatment 25 May 2021 - Data & intelligence from PHS (isdscotland.org)

This data shows the number of (a) inpatient or day case admissions and (b) outpatient appointments who have been waiting over 12 weeks.

Since the start of the pandemic the Scottish Government has made considerable investment in tackling misinformation through a number of channels. Our approach based on behavioural insight is not to directly challenge misinformation as this provides further exposure to the incorrect information. Instead, priority is placed on establishing reputable sources of information for the public to access and trust such as NHSinform.scot. Activity has included:

1. First Minister Briefings

2. Pro-active and reactive media relations

3. The Scottish Government issues proactive social media content that informs and engages the public on facts to do with COVID-19 and the actions required of them to stop the spread of the virus.

4. Public information campaigns linked to the pandemic to promote compliance with guidelines, steps that can be taken to reduce exposure to the virus and what to do if an individual or a close contact develops symptoms. For example, our recent Vaccination campaign, Roll Up Your Sleeves, was independently evaluated with a sample of 1,480 adults eligible for the vaccine. The campaign had 95% prompted recognition, with 78% of those recognising it agreeing that the advertising made them more aware of the importance of being vaccinated

5. During 2020-2021, funding to support the newspaper industry was delivered via a £3m press partnership which provided the Scottish Government advertising across national, regional and local titles.

6. Collaborating with the UK Government on campaigns being delivered across the four nations.

7. National door drops on coronavirus, Test & Protect and the vaccination programme

8. Working with Health Boards and Local Authorities

9. Working with key stakeholders such as Young Scot and BEMIS to co-create content for their audiences that communicates key information. For example, the recently published Vaccine Explainer video was developed following stakeholder feedback on barriers to vaccination, has been translated into multiple languages and distributed via stakeholders.

10. Using NHSInform.scot and gov.scot as the two-lead digital sources of information relating to Covid-19 in Scotland

11. Publishing daily information on virus levels and progress of vaccination via Public Health Scotland website to enable any member of the public to easily access information relating to current position of the pandemic.

Examples of guidance available to help tackle misinformation:

• NHS Inform COVID-19 Information [15 languages/formats]: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland | NHS inform
• Test & Protect Self-Isolation Fact Sheet [26 languages/formats]: Coronavirus (COVID-19): self-isolation factsheet - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information on NHS Inform [Available by Language]: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine translations | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

To ensure the information detailed in all marketing campaigns is accurate, guidance is provided by our key clinical experts; Chief Medical Officer; Deputy Chief Medical Officer; National Clinical Director for Scotland. On occasion these experts have featured in our communications to further validate the clinical accuracy of our messaging to the public.

The Scottish Government is continuing to invest in communications activity to provide the public with clear and simple guidance on the actions they need to undertake in response to the pandemic.

A web-based app has been developed as a means to collect data from those who agree to participate in the COVID in Scotland Study to understand the long-term health of people who have had COVID-19. This research study, led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with Public Health Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office, is Scotland-wide. Invitations to take part in the study are sent via SMS to all adults in Scotland who have had a positive COVID-19 test with the app available to those that agree to participate to submit data on their symptoms. This approach using an app to collect data from study participants will be described and evaluated as part of the reporting of this study once completed.

The Scottish Government will be able to provide more detail about a Scottish exchange programme in due course. The programme will be developed based on what would deliver the best value for Scotland and on the needs of Scotland and those of our learners and institutions.

In the meantime, we are engaging with the European Commission and European institutions in line with our commitment for Scotland to remain close to the Erasmus+ programme.

As set out in Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP - December, 2020) the Scottish Government is working with SDS, agencies, skills providers, industry and independent experts to design a Green Jobs Workforce Academy capable of supporting the retraining and upskilling interventions needed for the transition to net zero. As part of the 100 day manifesto commitment, phase 1 of the Green Jobs Workforce Academy will be launched by 26 August 2021.

A budget of circa £10 million was agreed to cover the necessary activities associated with the mobilisation of ScotRail Trains Ltd, in a manner that complies with the UK Government’s railway legislation. This is a significantly smaller sum than the costs to all parties which would be incurred through a procurement competition under the UK Government’s failed franchising model.

Berthing trials of the MV Pentalina were carried out during the week commencing 14 June 2021, at the following ports on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network: Campbeltown, Ardrossan, Brodick, Craignure, Kennacraig, Port Ellen, Oban, Stornoway and Ullapool.

Discussions are progressing between CalMac and Pentland Ferries with regards to the time charter of the MV Pentalina. The impact on the annual level of subsidy cannot be confirmed until negotiations have been completed.

As we continue to move out of lockdown, with the safety of Scotland’s workforce a priority, we are also focused on supporting the recovery of Scotland’s businesses.

We are in close and regular dialogue with business leaders on a range of priority issues, including economic recovery and business support. As we face the challenges of EU exit and Covid, we have an opportunity to design an economic recovery that works for all of Scotland’s people.

We are living in more hopeful times. With the success of the vaccination programme we can now see a route to a more normal way of life.

The £1,500 initially awarded to Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers was based on estimates of what we could afford to pay at the time the Fund was launched in January 2021 based on the number of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers licensed in Scotland and the availability of funding. As there is not an equivalent scheme run by the UK Government in England we have received no direct consequential funding to support taxi and private hire drivers, and instead have prioritised funding for this area from wider business support funding. Following the allocation of further consequentials we have set aside an additional £62 million to support the sector as part of which we are paying another £1,500 grant to taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who received the initial payment.