Chamber and committees

Since July 2020 and until 5 February 2023, Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland (within NSS) published, weekly validated statistics on the number of hospital-onset COVID-19 infections in Scotland via the Public Health Scotland (PHS) website.

The following table provides the number of cases from the 1 January 2023, until the final publication of statistics on 5 February 2023.

The Scottish Government is not currently involved in any modelling work relating specifically to BA.2.86 (known in the media as the Pirola variant), but we continue to work closely with Public Health Scotland and other partners to monitor, assess and be ready to respond to any new outbreaks of COVID-19.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) include analysis on COVID-19 variants as part of their “ National respiratory infection and COVID-19 statistics ”. The report published on 14 September 2023 included the latest COVID-19 cases, wastewater levels and hospitalisations, as well as analysis on BA.2.86. Additionally, PHS currently publish a weekly update providing the latest information on BA.2.86 ( SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant in Scotland - weekly update - COVID-19 data and intelligence - COVID-19 - Infectious diseases - Health protection - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland) .

The risks continue to be low but in response to the identification of changes in variant BA. 2.86, we have taken the precautionary measure of bringing forward the planned vaccination of those at highest risk.

Scotland’s vaccination programme continues to focus on protecting those most vulnerable from serious illness from COVID-19 .

Our decision-making on vaccine deployment throughout all COVID-19 vaccination programmes has been guided by the expert clinical advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). We welcome the final advice of the JCVI on the winter 2023 vaccination programme and encourage people to come forward for their appointment when called.

There are currently no plans to make COVID-19 vaccination available to groups not covered by JCVI advice this winter.

The last procurement for Covid Lateral Flow Device tests in March 2022 was aligned to the Test and Protect Transition Plan, taking account of the potential need to continue a range of testing pathways, and for contingency purposes if required

Approximately 15 million LFD tests belonging to Scotland are in UK Health Security Agency and partner warehouses (12.1m), in care homes for contingency purposes and to support clinical care (1.6m), and NHS National Services Scotland and partner warehouses (1.3m).

Targeted testing is in place to support clinical decision making and surveillance. We are working closely with Public Health Scotland, our clinical advisors and the other UK nations to routinely review our position and the clinical advice on COVID-19 in light of new variants. Evidence to date does not support a return to widespread community testing however we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The Scottish Government is aware of the pressure that hospices are under. I am meeting with hospices and hospice leaders to better understand the challenges they face and my officials are exploring how the Scottish Government can support Health and Social Care Partnerships with local planning and commissioning of independent hospice care in their areas. I am hosting a roundtable that will bring all relevant parties and representatives together to consider the challenges and potential solutions in the round.

The Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to support organisations struggling with energy bills, and will specifically raise the issue of additional measures to protect hospices.

The Programme for Government commitment 2021 – 2022 to developing a new Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy is ongoing. We have established the leadership, partnerships and structures to develop and deliver a new strategy, and we have undertaken extensive evidence gathering to establish a robust evidence base, including current and projected data on palliative care needs, surveys of services and support across governance and delivery partners, and understanding user experience and priorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20498 on 28 August 2023. 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 remains committed to developing and delivering a new Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy. We have established a Strategy Steering Group to oversee the development and delivery which has now met six times. We have also established a number of working groups to gather evidence to inform the strategy and progress areas in parallel with the development of the wider strategy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21462 on 2 October 2023. 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 .