Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has had very constructive discussions with AstraZeneca on Evusheld ® for the preventative treatments for COVID-19. However, throughout the pandemic, a UK-wide approach to the procurement of therapeutics has been taken and has proven vital to allow the UK to have the buying power to secure significant numbers of therapeutics in a competitive global market. A UK-wide approach has also been taken on the development and implementation of clinical prescribing policies for COVID-19 therapeutics. This has ensured patients across the UK have had equal access to safe and effective medicines for COVID-19.

My intention is to update Parliament with our Winter Resilience plans and publish our Winter Resilience Overview, covering both the NHS and Social Care, early next month, subject to discussions at Parliamentary Bureau. Caroline Lamb, CEO of NHS Scotland has also already written to NHS Boards and Integration Authorities regarding winter resilience plans at a national level and setting out clear expectations for local resilience and response.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10433 on 20 September 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 is working with Local Authorities, COSLA and the wider public sector to ensure that there is sufficient suitable accommodation for Ukrainian Displaced Persons.

We intend to publish numbers on temporary accommodation in due course.

The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) is scheduled for completion and publication later this year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10433 on 20 September 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

As part of the Scottish Medicines Consortium’s (SMC) continuing role in the UK-wide multi-agency RAPID C-19 initiative, the collaborative partnership between the SMC and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will extend to the multiple technology assessment (MTA) of the range of therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19; therefore, a separate assessment of these medicines by the SMC will not be required.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10385 on 20 September 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 consequentials form part of the savings package of over £500 million set out to the Finance and Public Administration Committee on September 7 th . As stated in the letter, savings have been utilised to meet increased costs as a result of inflationary pressures, increase help for those hit hardest by the cost of living crisis and to fund enhanced pay settlements.

The Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15 was developed in Austria and, as such, is not directly supported by Scottish funding. The Scottish Government is however regarded as preferred customers for Valneva, and should the decision be taken to procure Lyme Disease vaccines from Valneva, the Scottish Government will receive preferential access and pricing. This is in recognition of the support provided to Valneva by Scotland.

Scottish Enterprise have supported Valneva Livingston with funding packages for the following vaccines, all of which have received grant support:

• Japanese Encephalitis
• Zika
• Chikungya
• Covid-19