Chamber and committees

We have had no discussions or contact with Nike or the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton on this issue.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) were alerted on 2 March that an individual overseas who had been at the conference had tested positive. On Tuesday 3 March, HPS informed us that one of the cases that tested positive related to attendance at the Nike conference and they convened an incident management team (IMT) to seek more information.

That case and the details of the potential outbreak was confirmed to ministers that evening. Details of that case were then included in a news release we issued on 4 March and included on our normal case reporting schedule.

The IMT should produce a report for the NHS board Clinical Governance Committee in due course. This IMT report once produced will be made publically available in a redacted form following the approval process of the members of the IMT and clearance by the internal processes of the host organisation of the chair of the IMT.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 allows for temporary relaxation of local authority assessment duties in relation to needs assessments and preparation of adult carer support plans. Section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 gives local authorities a core duty to provide care and support to people in need of assistance which remains in place.

Our arrangements for monitoring implementation of the Coronavirus Act, as it relates to social work assessments, includes requesting information from local authorities who have chosen to make use of the powers under the Act about the number of full and partial assessments undertaken during the emergency period, and how this compares with the equivalent period last year. This is part of a survey that will support our reporting to the Scottish Parliament on the Coronavirus Act.

All Health and Social Care Partnerships have submitted mobilisation plans, setting out how they intend to assure resilience in delivery of existing health and social care provision and manage expected increases in demand for these services.

These plans have been reviewed and considered and an initial £50 million of additional Scottish Government funding has been issued to help address the immediate challenges faced in the social care sector and support ongoing provision of social care.

I meet with Councillor Stuart Currie, COSLA Spokesperson on Health and Sport, on a weekly basis to jointly monitor progress. In addition, my officials meet on a weekly basis with Chief Officers of Integration Authorities to discuss immediate issues.

The Scottish Government is committed to keeping staff across the NHS and emergency services safe, including ensuring continued access to appropriate personal protective equipment.

NHS National Services Scotland are keeping the position with NHS supplies under constant review as the coronavirus pandemic develops and we are working with them to ensure stocks are maintained so we can continue to protect those who need it. Health Boards also have means to notify NHS National Procurement of any supply issues, in order that they can quickly be rectified.

We are distributing PPE to all social care providers and to GP Practices. This includes stocks of facemasks, aprons, gloves and eye protection, in line with Health Protection Scotland guidance. The Scottish Government also remains in close liaison with the emergency services and through them, their suppliers, to ensure they remain adequately protected in performing their vital roles.

NHS Scotland terms and conditions are discussed in partnership through our well established negotiating structures, which always include staff side representation. NHS Boards actively support flexible working patterns, and there are agreed process in place for staff to access these. However, there have been no discussions about the introduction of a four-day working week.

Tiger Eye goggles and frames were part of the standing pre Covid-19 national pandemic stockpile. The UK Department for Health and Social Care contacted us on Saturday 9th May advising that there was an issue with the Tiger Eye protective glasses. This product has been distributed to us from the 2009 UK pandemic stockpile.

NHS National Services Scotland has received a total of approximately 3.6 million complete sets of Tiger eye protection as part of the UK stockpile. Approximately 3 million have been distributed with remaining balance still being held in stock.

The Health and Safety Executive requested that the British Standards Institute test Tiger Eye Protectors against current Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance. The tests showed the product does not meet the standard for splash protection. NSS has issued an alert to all health and social care organisations in Scotland informing them of the withdrawal of this product.

NSS has also cancelled with immediate effect any further deliveries of this product to health and social care providers in Scotland. NSS has confirmed that there are adequate supplies of alternative products that meet relevant Covid-19 standards in stock and on order. NHS England and Wales have recalled the items and confirmed they were never certificated against relevant EN166 standards. NSS have confirmed that they are still holding the remaining warehouse stock within NSS and that, in parallel health boards have been asked to dispose of all remaining local stock.

On 3 April a joint letter from Mr Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, and myself was sent to Local Authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships, Chief Social Work Officers, Social Work Scotland, COSLA, and the Care Inspectorate, about commencement of Regulations in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020.

On 14 April I attended a meeting with the Care Inspectorate about their enhanced response to Covid-19 and care homes.

On 29 April I wrote to the Care Inspectorate to ask about inspection activity undertaken in response to the emergency. A reply was received on 1 May.

Since 9th April Mr FitzPatrick has had weekly meetings with the special boards. These meetings are Covid-19 focussed. The Care Inspectorate also participate in these meetings. The Minister has not had any other discussions or correspondence with the Care Inspectorate in 2020.

On 26 February Ms Haughey had introductory meetings with Rona Fraser and Paul Gray who were successfully appointed as new members to the Care Inspectorate Board.

On 26 March Ms Haughey wrote to NHS Boards, Local Authorities, Integrated Joint Boards, Scottish Social Services Council, and the Care Inspectorate about mental health and wellbeing support during the Covid-19 emergency.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29276 on 8 June 2020. 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

The Scottish Government receives scientific advice from the Scottish Government COVID19 Advisory Group. Information about the group, including membership and notes of the discussions which have taken place, is available here: https://www.gov.scot/groups/scottish-government-covid-19-advisory-group/ .

The Scottish Government is committed to being as transparent as possible and will begin to publish evidence documents produced by group members for discussion shortly.

The Scottish Government is undertaking a detailed review of COVID-19 budget pressures across health and social care, and as part of this we will ensure that Integration Authorities have the resources that they need.

The Scottish Government has made available £50 million as an initial tranche of funding for Integration Authorities to meet immediate pressures, and has provided reassurance that further funding will be provided.