Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 December 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support NHS boards to manage anticipated high levels of staff absences resulting from sickness during the winter months.
The Scottish Government will support NHS boards and their partners throughout the winter.
Winter Guidance was issued to NHS boards early, to ensure early action is taken to minimise disruption to patients during the winter period. In line with the guidance, NHS boards and their partners are working to increase the number of patients being discharged earlier in day, increase the number of discharges at weekends and public holidays, and strengthen community capacity to reduce delayed discharges. All Health boards have robust business continuity plans and processes in place to ensure that they can continue to provide services in the event of major disruptions.
The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland strongly recommends that all health and social care staff consider the flu vaccine. Vaccination of health and social care staff remains voluntary, although NHS employers are encouraged to offer the vaccine to staff, and to make it easy for those who wish to take up the offer of the vaccine to do so.