Chamber and committees

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets out the legislative framework for integrating health and social care. It requires Integration Authorities to engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, and to work with local communities and professionals to improve outcomes and sustainability through service redesign. This would include considering the location and travel requirements of patients when GP contracts are awarded and services are relocated.

We have no direct role in the provision of university residential accommodation nor in the catering provision therein. In October last year the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to accommodation providers welcoming Universities Scotland’s Consistent Core of Care package, which outlines a minimum support package for all students including those self-isolating, including help with food and groceries, cleaning supplies and internet access; and emphasising that every effort should be made to ensure that the food provided for and delivered to self-isolating students is nutritious, of good quality and does not result in additional charges for students.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. 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

I appreciate how difficult postponement of treatment has been for people with chronic pain. We remain committed to ensuring that health boards resume a full range of specialist pain services as quickly as it is safe to do so. In September 2020 we published the COVID-19 Recovery Framework for NHS Pain Management Services to support Health Boards in this process, however we are aware of the challenges Boards are facing given the current prevalence of the virus.

The Scottish Government has consistently made clear that we will provide the necessary funding across health and care services to recognise the additional costs of responding to COVID-19 and to ensure that patient safety remains the top priority at all times. In September 2020 the Scottish Government confirmed additional funding of £1.1 billion across NHS Boards and Social Care Partnerships to help them meet COVID-19 related costs and remobilisation of services.

I cannot comment on individual cases but in general terms NHS Scotland cannot pay retrospectively for or subsidise private health care arranged independently by a patient. In addition, anybody seeking private treatment requires prior authorisation from their local Health Board before they travel.

Health Boards are expected to triage cases locally based on clinical need and in-line with advice from expert clinical organisations (such as the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the British Pain Society) on the provision and use of interventions during the pandemic to minimise the risk to patients. While the frequency of treatments will vary according to individual circumstances, I would encourage people to contact their GP or lead clinician if they are unhappy with their current care to discuss alternative treatment or for additional referral if clinically appropriate.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34310 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The specification of provision of free school meals within Coronavirus (COVID-19): school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 is part of making provision for vulnerable pupils, this is intended to ensure that this provision is prioritised in line with the requirements of Education Continuity Direction no 6 .

In making these provisions, the statutory requirement for education authorities to protect the identity of those pupils receiving free school lunches, thereby preventing stigma, remains in place.

Figures on children and young people attending settings in the initial March 2020 lockdown can be found here: Covid19ELCandHubs - SG Education Analytical Services: Learning Analysis | Tableau Public

Network Rail is responsible for maintaining and renewing the rail network in Scotland with funding provided by the Scottish Government to meet the independent regulatory determination of the Office of Rail and Road.

The Scottish Government has provided unprecedented additional funding this year to maintain essential rail services and employment of railway staff.

Given the significant financial challenges created by Covid-19, it is appropriate that the rail industry in Scotland should identify scope for sensible efficiencies to help restore the Scottish rail industry to a sustainable financial footing. This is in the best interests of Scotland’s rail users, communities, businesses and staff.