Chamber and committees

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the regulator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.

SEPA has agreed that, where there are clearly evidenced operational challenges, they will take a proportionate approach to compliance. They have committed to providing advice and guidance as the preferred route to achieving compliance for businesses who are striving to meet their obligations.

Any business with questions or concerns about registration should contact Circularity Scotland for advice and guidance. They can do this via their website or their dedicated helpline.

The Drug Deaths Taskforce was comprised of a range of individuals selected for their expertise in a personal capacity or on behalf of the organisations they represent, including those with lived and living experience.

The Scottish Government welcomes their final report which has provided a roadmap for future delivery, including 20 recommendations and 139 detailed actions. In response to this, we have published a cross-government action plan which includes a broad range of initiatives aiming to improve access to treatment and support for people with complex needs. All of the work set out in this action plan is framed within the context of the government’s wider efforts to address the social determinants of health.

The government have committed to investing £250m over the course of the parliament to delivering the National mission, and there is a comprehensive approval process in place to ensure best value for public money.

The Corra Foundation is responsible for operating funds which distribute money to third sector and grass roots organisations, who will play a vital role in reducing drug related deaths. Funding applications are assessed through robust assessment panels, which give people with either personal or professional lived and living experience of frontline services a voice in the decision-making process.

To further improve transparency and show the direction and impact of the funding we have committed, we published the first national mission annual report in November 2022. This report outlines the breadth of activity undertaken by public and third sector services in the first year of the national mission. We intend to publish a retrospective annual report every year for the remainder of the mission.

In April 2021, Scottish Government commissioned Public Health Scotland to develop and deliver the Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme. Over 100 clinicians and people with lived experience have been involved in the development of draft indicators for this programme. This includes health care professionals with an interest in specialist services, cardiac rehabilitation and palliative care.

Draft indicators were shared for further feedback in autumn 2022. PHS continue to work to develop the audit programme based on this feedback.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14676 on 6 March 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 SG has no plans to change the funding arrangements for adult hospices.

It is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 to plan and commission services for their area using the integrated budget under their control, including palliative and end of life care services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06291 on 28 February 2022. 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 has long recognised that health and work are inextricably linked. Creating workplaces which support and promote good physical and mental health benefits both employees and employers.

While health and safety legislation itself is reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is using its devolved healthcare powers to support the physical and mental health of the Scottish workforce. This includes the Healthy Working Lives service which provides advice and guidance to employers and the services offered by NHS Scotland. We are also considering Occupational Health provision as part of our update of the Fair and Healthy Work for All strategy this year.

Additionally, last year, together with Public Health Scotland and in partnership with a range of employers, Trade Unions, mental health organisations and public sector partners we launched a new mental health and wellbeing platform to help Scottish employers actively support and promote mental health at work.

The aim of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 is to ensure that everyone in Scotland who menstruates can have reasonably convenient access to period products, free of charge, as and when they are required. The definition of period products in the Act does not include incontinence products and there are no plans at present to change this. The Act does not limit the number of products that can be accessed so those experiencing such symptoms are entitled to access as many period products as they need.

To help support people experiencing menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms our Women’s Health Platform, on NHS Inform, includes a resource on menopause and work is underway to refine and create resources on pelvic health. This will include urinary incontinence, looking at prevention, treatment options and reducing stigma.

In order to provide a wide-range of rehabilitation approaches, a skilled workforce is required that spans health, social care and third and independent sectors. The workforce brings a range of skills that can vary across sector and by background.

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) make up a significant proportion of the rehabilitation workforce. The AHP Education and Workforce Policy Review considered the actions necessary to deliver a national education and workforce plan for AHPs. This has now been completed. The recommendations will be published early 2023 and an implementation plan will be developed thereafter.

This information can be found in the published Pain Management Panel report. This is available here: Pain Management Panel consultations: report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)