Chamber and committees

Information on NHS staff dismissals is not held centrally. The recruitment and employment of NHS staff is the responsibility of NHS Boards.

The Scottish Government expects Boards to apply workforce policies in adherence to NHS Scotland’s values of: care and compassion; dignity and respect; openness, honesty and responsibility; quality and teamwork.

The Scottish Government did not dismiss any employees during Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 in (a) Scotland and (b) the Grampian region.

Widening access to medicine for disadvantaged students remains a primary focus of the Scottish Government. As of academic year 2021-22, there are 60 places shared among Scotland's 5 medical schools which are reserved for students who meet the criteria for widening access, and we have committed to doubling that number over the lifetime of this Parliament. There are also SG funded pre-medical entry courses running at the universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow which aim to prepare aspiring medical students by helping them to get the academic qualifications required for entry into undergraduate medicine.

All medical students who are studying medicine full-time as a first degree are entitled to the standard undergraduate student support package for the full duration of their studies. This means the teaching costs are paid by the Scottish Government to the Universities (via the Scottish Funding Council) and their tuition fees are paid by the Scottish Government through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). They can also apply to SAAS for various loans and bursaries to help with living costs, depending on their individual circumstances.

This information is not held centrally. However, it should be noted that the Scottish Government remains committed to the ongoing delivery of widening access and participation (and this includes Medicine).

Since 9 August, Scotland has moved beyond Level 0 restrictions and therefore beyond the Protection Levels system. This means that all venues are now allowed to open and most legal restrictions have been removed.

The Scottish Government has published summary guidance to support the reopening of cultural performances events, setting out in one place the remaining legal requirements and good practice precautionary measures most relevant to the sector, as well as a statement about long-term recovery.

The guidance is available here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): reopening of cultural performances and events guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

As outlined in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools guidance, published 16 August 2021, from 9 August our approach to contact tracing and self-isolation for close contacts aged under 18, including those attending schools, has changed. Close contacts aged under 18 who are identified by Test and Protect as requiring to do so will be asked to self-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative they can end self-isolation provided they remain asymptomatic.

Exemptions from PCR testing apply to close contacts who are aged under 5, or who for medical reasons are unable to be tested or are exempt. Parents or carers should seek advice from their GP or the local Health Protection team to obtain this exemption if their child is unable to get tested. For these groups, a PCR test will not be required to end self-isolation.

The approach to children aged under 5 reflects the lower risks of infection and transmission in this age group, and the fact that younger children may find it harder to tolerate testing. However, children under 5 who are close contacts remain encouraged to take a PCR test where possible.

Historic Environment Scotland is conducting inspections at present with an initial phase to be completed by the first week in September as per its inspection programme. A number of properties have been assessed to date and the next steps are currently being considered. Decisions will be taken by the appropriate technical specialists and with a primary focus on the health and safety of staff, contractors and visitors.

A file with the number of passengers, cars, and commercial vehicles and buses on selected Caledonian MacBrayne routes has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 62608).

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of motorhomes transported by Caledonian MacBrayne.

I refer the member to the answer to the answer to question
‎ S6W-01088 on 30 August 2021 . 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 .

From the Period March 2020 – July 2021 the following companies have supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of a Scottish Government Contract: