Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges and distress caused by the stigma experienced by those at risk of or living with Hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses.

Evidence shows that Hepatitis C is most commonly diagnosed in those who inject drugs and we know that stigma can increase the harms experienced by people affected by substance use. People with experience of problem substance use and the harms associated with it, deserve parity of treatment as with any other long-term life-affecting health condition. That is why, later this month, we will publish an action plan to tackle the stigma faced by those with experience of problem substance use.

The Scottish Government is also working with HIV experts and third sector organisations on an HIV awareness campaign that will launch later this year. The development of the campaign is ongoing but in broad terms, it will seek to educate and address common misconceptions and misinformation about the realities of living with HIV, as well as reducing the stigma surrounding HIV.

Since 2018, We have also funded third sector organisations, through the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus (SHBBV) Framework, for a variety of work regarding addressing stigma, such as training for professionals who work with those who inject drugs.

A new SHBBV Strategy is currently being developed with clinical, academic and third sector representatives, and is due to be published in Spring.

A range of work, including via the National Gender Identity Healthcare Reference Group, is being undertaken to help improve service delivery of these clinical services.

In addition, the 2023-24 draft Scottish Budget provided £2 million for gender identity healthcare improvement within NHS Scotland.

a) The Bioenergy Policy Working Group comprises Scottish Government officials from a number of policy areas.

• Agriculture Transformation for Environment and Climate Change
• Bioenergy
• Biodiversity
• Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
• Critical Energy Infrastructure & Commercial Projects
• Domestic Climate Change
• Environmental Protection - Air Quality
• Environmental Quality and Circular Economy
• Heat Strategy
• Hydrogen
• Industrial Decarbonisation
• Industrial Strategy and Technologies
• Just Transition
• Land Use Strategy
• Land Use Transformation
• Natural Capital and Land Management
• Office of the Chief Economic Adviser (OCEA)
• Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS)
• Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA)
• Scottish Forestry
• Sustainable Aviation
• Transport - Supply Chains and Alternative Fuels
• Whole Energy System

Minutes from the meetings will be published as soon as practical. However the group are still in the process of developing policy and considering options.

b) The Bioenergy Expert Panel has still to be assembled, and we are currently reviewing when and how it will be established.

Oil and gas exploration and production, including licensing, remains reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government is clear that unlimited extraction of fossil fuels is not consistent with our climate obligations and is not the right solution to the real cost of living crisis families are facing. To reduce energy costs we need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. This means investing more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

We are also supporting the fastest possible just transition for the energy sector and the oil and gas workforce, the communities in which they live and work, and the regional economies that have greatly benefited from oil and gas activities and have much to gain from the transition to net zero.

Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan was published for consultation on 10 January 2023.

The Scottish Government has supported the development of many urinary tract infection (UTI) resources to support people with these conditions and reduce the risk of infection. This includes evidence-based information and support available on the symptoms, treatment and prevention of UTIs on NHS Inform . We have also supported local access to support through the development of Pharmacy First in community pharmacies across Scotland which allows women with less complex UTIs to access free advice or treatment where appropriate.

We expect all healthcare workers in Scotland to follow best practice when providing care for people with UTIs. In support of this, guidelines on management of suspected UTIs were developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in 2020. These support clinicians to provide advice to patients and carers on appropriate treatment, risks and lifestyle and behaviour issues which can support management and prevention of UTIs. The guideline was accompanied by supporting materials for clinicians and patients to improve dissemination and engagement with the new guidelines including a quick reference guide and patient booklet.

The HIV Transmission Elimination Proposal, led by Professor Rak Nandwani (the then co-chair of the Scottish Health Protection Network Strategic Leads) was published on 1 December 2022 and can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ending-hiv-transmission-scotland-2030/

Scottish Ministers are committed to ensuring that people with mental health issues have access to independent advocacy. We recognise that advocacy is central to empowering people with mental health issues to have their voices heard and participate fully in decisions about their care.

Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act, people with a mental illness have a right to independent advocacy.

We have provided funding of £500,000 per year to NHS Boards and £177,000 to the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA), and will continue funding to ensure people are supported to understand their choices and make their own decisions. The SIAA is a membership organisation which is responsible for promoting, supporting and defending independent advocacy in Scotland.

We also provide funding for third sector organisations who ensure collective advocacy for those with lived experience of mental health issues. This includes £188,000 this year to Vox Scotland who represent the voices of those with lived mental health experience to Scotland’s politicians and health professionals.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report at the end of September 2022 and set out proposals for reform, including recommendations relating to the future provision and funding of independent advocacy services.

Cross-government work is now underway to assess these proposals and we will set out our response in due course.

The Government published budget proposals in December. Subject to parliamentary approval, that will determine the levels and duration of funding available.

Until this is finalised officials are not in a position to publish the application form and eligibility guidance. A final decision should be made in the coming weeks.

Two pathfinder Climate Action Hubs were launched in September 2021 covering the Northeast of Scotland (NESCAN Hub) and the North Highlands, Orkney and Shetland (North Highlands and Islands Hub).

Both Hubs have provided a vehicle for communities to come together stimulating community level climate activity and supporting communities to adapt to our changing climate.

The Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) is supporting the wider development of Climate Action Hubs. Funded by the Scottish Government they recruited 14 regional network coordinators in 2022 to bring communities together ensuring as inclusive an approach as possible. They are facilitating discussions on what is needed for each area, ensuring Hubs are shaped by and responsive to local need and build on existing support.

Evidence from the evaluation of minimum unit pricing (MUP) has shown that consumers have responded to the introduction of MUP in a variety of ways including reduced purchasing of products whose price has increased, switching to smaller pack sizes, to more premium products and to lower strength products.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) are undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of MUP, which includes assessing the impact of MUP on health, crime, public safety and public nuisance in Scotland, and the impact on the alcohol industry. A final evaluation report will be published in 2023.

All published studies are available on the PHS website: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/

The Statement of Dental Remuneration has been amended over the time period since January 2017 and now. The list of treatments in January 2017 is reflected in Amendment 133 and the current list is described in 158. These can be viewed at Statement of Dental Remuneration | Scottish Dental .

In summary, the range of care and treatment is broadly similar in both versions, however, a significant reform was delivered in February 2022 (amendment 155) which aligned child and adult examination appointments through an enhanced fee.