The need to improve single outcome agreements (SOAs) was identified by the joint Scottish Government and COSLA review of community planning and SOAs last year. Addressing this is a key element of action being taken forward to implement the conclusions of that review as set out in the Scottish Government and COSLA Statement of Ambition published on 15 March 2012, which can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/CP/soa.

The aims of the review included identifying actions to secure that SOAs demonstrate the local response to the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services and the objectives of the public services reform programme, in particular through a focus on integration and prevention.

The actions to implement the review’s conclusions include the Scottish Government and COSLA having agreed new guidance to community planning partnerships on the scope and content of SOAs, which was published on 4 December 2012 and can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/CP/SOA2012/SOA2012.

The guidance reflects the approach agreed by the National Community Planning Group that was set up following the review. It includes a requirement for SOAs to have a sharp focus on six key priorities, including health inequalities; to include plans on prevention and on local integration and partnership; and to use an evidence-based approach with clear performance commitments. The six key priorities are all important in tackling inequalities, and the new SOAs are to have a clear strategic focus on how for each priority local inequalities of outcome will be reduced. CPPs have been asked to submit drafts of new SOAs that reflect the guidance to the Scottish Government by 1 April 2013 for final agreement by 28 June 2013.

The Scottish Government publish an annual report of headline indicators of health inequalities.

Results from the fifth annual update, published in October 2012 show a narrowing in relation to low birth weight rates and a narrowing in the rates of death from coronary heart disease.

The Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities is a short life working group set up to address inequalities in health which prevent Scotland and its people reaching their full potential. Since May 2007 the Task Force has convened on three occasions; in 2007, 2010 and 2012. To date, the group has held a total of 12 meetings.

In 2007-08, the Task Force met on the following dates:

The report of the Task Force Equally Well, was published in June 2008.

In response to a recommendation in Equally Well that the Task Force should be reconvened in 2010 to review progress against its recommendations, three meetings were held on the following dates:

The review to Equally Well was published in June 2010.

Following the 2010 Review, the Task Force has again been reconvened and the first meeting took place on 29 November 2012. It is expected to report in the summer of 2013.

The Scottish Government has established the HEAT target to “Deliver faster access to mental health services by delivering 18 weeks referral to treatment for psychological therapies from December 2014”.

We have published “The Matrix: a Guide to Delivering Evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland” on what treatments are effective for which conditions. This takes into account the content of SIGN guideline 114, along with other sources of evidence, in its recommendations on the treatment of depression. The Matrix also emphasises that services must provide adequate supervision for staff delivering psychological interventions, to ensure patient safety and the delivery of evidence-based care.

Through NHS Education Scotland, we are working to assess and develop workforce capacity to ensure that a range of staff are equipped to deliver therapies. We are also building processes into the work to gather information on clinical outcomes.

In the Mental Health Stategy:2012-15 we set out a number of approaches which are consistent with the recommendations of SIGN guideline 114. There is a strong focus throughout the Strategy on actions that people can take for themselves, and in their communities, to maintain and improve their own health.

NHS boards continue to develop and deliver self-help services. Nationally, self-help services and resources include the NHS Living Life service, delivered through NHS 24, and the Steps for Stress resources, managed by NHS Health Scotland.

We have committed to work with partners to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities, including through new technologies, and to develop, with NHS 24, a Scotland-wide approach to improving mental health through new technology.

The implementation of SIGN guidelines is the responsibility of NHS boards, who are responsible for the planning and provision of services to meet the needs of their population.

NHS boards are responsible for auditing and monitoring implementation of SIGN Guidelines locally. An audit tool forms part of the SIGN Guidelines issued to NHS boards and it is their responsibility to decide how it is used to monitor and audit implementation of any guidance.

The Scottish Government launched a reserved framework agreement for supported businesses in September 2012. The framework is designed to cover a broad range of goods and services that Scotland’s supported businesses can provide. As at 16 January 2013, 18 contracts have been placed by 14 public bodies with seven supported businesses. The total spent so far against these contracts is £72K.

From May 2007 the Scottish government has spent around £96K with supported businesses. Two contracts remain in force (laundry services and signage) with the possibility of further spend.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is responsible for developing, reviewing and updating evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. Guidelines are generally considered for review by SIGN every three years.

The Scottish Government continues to take national action to support early, accurate diagnosis and help services in taking a holistic approach to managing people with dementia, and enabling self-management, including through the development of a HEAT target from 2013 guaranteeing at least a year’s worth of post-diagnostic support, coordinated an an appropriately trained link worker.

The Scottish Government is committed to a consistent, person centred approach to supporting disabled people who want to work. We recognise that supported businesses in Scotland make a significant contribution to this in Scotland, both as a stepping stone towards mainstream employment and for those who feel unable to progress.

Ongoing viability of these businesses is key and since 2007, the Scottish Government has undertaken a range of actions to support all Scotland’s supported businesses. These include:

• The Sustainable Procurement Action Plan, launched in October 2009, advises Scottish public bodies that they should aim to have a strategy for awarding at least one contract with a Supported Business or Factory. The plan also encourages buyers to consider community benefit clauses that may be included in contracts.

• A number of events have been held to inform public sector buyers about procurement using Article 19, and the development of a brochure for buyers setting out the goods and services available through Scotland’s supported businesses. An updated brochure is currently in production.

• The establishment of a new reserved framework for supported businesses.

Remploy have worked closely with the Scottish Government in promotion activity throughout this time and are part of the reserved framework.

A Procurement Reform Bill will be introduced during the lifetime of this Parliament. The consultation on the Bill included questions regarding additional actions to promote greater use of supported businesses by the public sector.

Since the announcement in March of 2012 that Remploy would lose all Department for Work and Pensions funding by 2014, I have chaired a Stakeholder Group to consider what actions can be taken to support the continuation of jobs for Remploy staff, either within businesses undertaking the work previously done by the Remploy factories, or in new employment.

Responsibility for updating SIGN guideline 74 lies with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).