Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold NHS Boards' Business Continuity Plans and the responsibility for ensuring appropriate contingency arrangements are in place lies with the individual NHS Boards. Once the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the NHS Estate is fully understood, NHS Boards will be able to incorporate appropriate plans into their Business Continuity Plans.

The Scottish Government recognises the value in having a range of Gaelic organisations with different functions and the SG aims at all times to remain informed and supportive of the work of these bodies. The SG will meet with An Comunn Gidhealach on average two or three times a year as well as meeting in wider gatherings. The focus of the meetings will be on the Royal National Mod and related initiatives and what support can be provided by the SG. The SG meets with Comann na Gidhlig on average two or three times a year as well as meeting in wider gatherings. The focus of the meetings will be projects that CnaG is taking forward and to consider what support SG can offer. The SG is in regular and frequent contact with Fèisean nan Gidheal both in relation to projects and initiatives which FnG is taking forward and in relation to wider Gaelic developments. The SG is aware of the work of Fèis Rois and SG does not hold meetings with this body or have a funding relationship with Fèis Rois. Along with the four bodies mentioned above, SG maintains close working relationships with other Gaelic bodies that have an important role to play in the promotion of Gaelic throughout Scotland.

It is the statutory duty of local authorities, the NHS and other public service providers to manage and maintain their estate. We have been in close contact with local authorities, the NHS and others and expect contingency plans to be in place to minimise any potential disruption to services. We will continue to engage across sectors to direct public and private sector organisations towards guidance and good practice with regards to identifying, assessing and managing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The NHS Scotland Assure survey programme, which is considering all of the NHS Scotland Estate, is being conducted by a recognised expert organisation in reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19700 on 31 July 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 (SG) will establish a cross sector Working Group to raise awareness of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete across different sectors. This approach aligns with the UK Government and provides visibility and sharing of information across all sectors.

The Scottish Government has issued guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) to Local Authorities via the Scottish Heads of Property Services and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland.

NHS Scotland Assure, which is leading the national RAAC survey programme of the NHS estate on behalf of Scottish Government, issued a Safety Action Notice to Health Boards in February 2023 on the risk of catastrophic structural failure of RAAC planks in building roofing, walls, and flooring. This guidance note included recommendations on identification, risk management, monitoring and replacement of RAAC planks where necessary.

The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Scotland Assure and all NHS Boards to establish the current position with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Once the survey programme has assessed properties that may contain RAAC and it's extent within the NHS Estate has been determined, the Health Infrastructure and Sustainability Division within Scottish Government will consider whether Ministerial meetings with NHS Boards are required.

The Scottish Government is in the process of conducting the Student Finance and Wellbeing Study which will provide data on paid work undertaken by students.

The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of people with chronic pain. Involving people with lived experience remains a priority to help inform the improvement work we have set out in our Framework for pain management service delivery - implementation plan .

Our plan was developed with extensive engagement with people with chronic pain. The Scottish Government conducted a public consultation where four-fifths of respondents were individuals living with chronic pain. All of their views have informed the actions set out in the plan.

In summer 2022, we commissioned the Lines Between to establish a Pain Management Panel. The panel included a diverse cross-section of people with chronic pain across Scotland. The findings from this report, published in July 2022 , have helped inform the implementation of the plan.

We are continuing to engage with a range of diverse voices of those living with chronic pain across Scotland as we develop and deliver the plan. Officials attended the most recent Cross Party Group for Chronic Pain to request feedback and further engagement sessions with the group are planned. We have also invited our stakeholders, including people with lived experience, to a series of drop in sessions to give their input as we update our Implementation Plan.