Chamber and committees

Rooms for Refugees is a hosting service run by Positive Action in Housing. Scottish Government officials met with representatives from PAIH on 30 June to discuss their experience of running a matching service.

Scottish Government is working with NHS 24 and partners to develop a new Musculoskeletal (MSK) pathway, with particular consideration being given to digital options and a more preventative approach.

NHS 24 conducted a comprehensive analysis of the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Helpline data on the use of the service as well as examining the service model. This will inform the development of a new pathway, with particular consideration being given to digital options and a more preventative approach.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09575 on 25 July 2022 for the next steps. 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 Housing for Varying Needs design guide offers good practice in the design of homes in order to help them achieve a degree of flexibility, suit people of varying needs, be convenient to use, and be fit for purpose. Where possible, all new affordable homes delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme are built to Housing for Varying Needs standards.

As set out within the Housing to 2040 route map, we are reviewing the Housing for Varying Needs design guide. We want the guide to help better meet the needs of an ageing population, help people to live in their home for longer, consider a wider range of needs, and learn lessons from the pandemic by recognising the importance of outdoor space, and space for home working or study.

We plan to consult on proposed changes to the guide over the coming months and will wish to engage with disability groups and those with experience of living in homes delivered to Housing for Varying Needs standards, as well as those involved in the delivery of new homes.

Once complete, the review of Housing for Varying Needs will inform the introduction of building standards in 2025-26 to underpin a new Scottish Accessible Homes Standard, which all new homes will need to achieve, regardless of tenure.

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies.

Public Health Scotland have created animations for minority ethnic audiences which include information on vaccinations and pregnancy. These videos, information and other assets are shared routinely with partners representing minority ethnic communities in Scotland for cascading.

Our COVID-19 vaccine explainer video also covers pregnancy and is available in a range of different community languages.

COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics have been held in maternity clinics in a number of health boards. This allows people to get vaccinated in a safe and trusted space, after having any concerns or questions answered by an expert health practitioner.

The Scottish Government Marketing Team are continuing to promote vaccine uptake in pregnancy and if planning a pregnancy through a targeted marketing campaign. To find out more visit www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccinepregnancy

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies.

NHS inform have a dedicated page for pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine. Details on how pregnant people book their COVID-19 vaccines/booster can be found here www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccinepregnancy

The Scottish Government Marketing Team are continuing to promote vaccine uptake in pregnancy and if planning a pregnancy through a targeted marketing campaign. The COVID-19 vaccine explainer video also covers pregnancy and is available in a range of different community languages. More information can also be found in the above link.

The Stroke Improvement Programme report 2022 containing the performance of Health Boards against the Stroke Improvement Plan priorities, including access to stroke therapy, is available at: https://www.strokeaudit.scot.nhs.uk/index.html .

The benchmark criteria for access to stroke therapy are not solely a measure of the initiation of therapy assessment within three days, but also consider the degree of multidisciplinary team (MDT) involvement and the documenting of discussions. A rating below ‘complete and embedded in practice’ does not mean that a board is not performing stroke therapy assessment within three days.

Our Stroke Improvement Plan recognises that rehabilitation is key to improving people’s health and wellbeing. A refreshed Stroke Improvement Plan is in development and will reflect the key elements of a holistic model of stroke rehabilitation including assessment, interventions, evaluation and the rehabilitation infrastructure that supports the provision of coordinated care.

The Scottish Government has not carried out an evaluation of the performance of each NHS Board against Article 26 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme measures do not formally evidence the aims of Article 26 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Through the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme we reflect the aims of Article 26 of the Convention, particularly that rehabilitation begin at the earliest possible stage, and is based on the multidisciplinary assessment of individual needs and strengths.

Our Stroke Improvement Plan recognises that rehabilitation is key to improving people’s health and wellbeing. A refreshed Stroke Improvement Plan is in development and will reflect the key elements of a holistic model of stroke rehabilitation including assessment, interventions, evaluation and the rehabilitation infrastructure that supports the provision of coordinated care.

The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme (SSIP) report published on 28 June contains information on Stroke Improvement Plan (2014) priorities and actions; and can be found here: Scottish stroke improvement programme 2022 national report - Scottish stroke improvement programme - Publications - Public Health Scotland .

Responses to the public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny on Draft National Planning Framework (NPF4) are being carefully considered and we intend to lay a final NPF4 in the Parliament in the Autumn.

The Draft proposed support for the delivery of high quality homes, particularly those that improve affordability and choice, including accessible, adaptable and wheelchair accessible homes.

Local authorities are already required to set targets for the delivery of wheelchair accessible housing across all tenures as part of their local housing strategy. The target should be informed by evidence of what is required locally.