Chamber and committees

Our review process has been informed by the latest evidence from public opinion as well as the clinical and scientific literature, and from international experience. We published an updated evidence paper on the COVID-19 status certification scheme on Friday 19 November 2021.

Understanding the effects of the scheme, and how it is being implemented, requires data about the use of the technology, vaccinations, and the impact on society and the economy. However, it is challenging to isolate the effects of any one element of the Covid response.

Vaccine uptake has slightly increased since the scheme was announced, although it is not possible to directly attribute rises to the introduction of certification. The proportion of those aged 12+ with a first dose rose from 86.0% to 90.5% and a second dose rose from 77.6% to 82.2%.

The majority of Lateral Flow Tests are distributed through the UK 4 nations National Testing Programme and a detailed breakdown is not available. Information on the number of Lateral Flow Tests used and reported in Scotland is published weekly by Public Health Scotland.

From January 2019 to June 2021, 150 samples were collected from these areas. Of these samples, 141 underwent potable testing, and only one sample, collected from 4B in November 2019 breached the high-risk threshold for organism counts at 37°.

NHS GG&C have made a number of changes to practices and procedures following water sampling assessments. The taps and showers used in 4A and 4B are now fitted with 0.2 micron water filters, routine sampling and testing is carried out from non-filtered water services, and more widespread sample testing is carried out.

A total of 22,635 dental staff are registered on the Vaccine Management Tool (VMT). This includes both dentists and dental nurses.

These staff would register voluntarily, as independent contractors, on the relevant staff bank of their health board, and book shifts via that system, which does not constitute secondment.

Ministers are not notified of every patient death by suspected hospital acquired infection, due to the possibility of patient identifiable information.

However, Ministers are routinely notified of incidents of hospital infection outbreaks (involving two or more patients) with management information regarding the organism of infection, number of patients involved in the outbreak, investigations and any suspected deaths associated with the outbreak. 

The information requested relating to how many patients a) contracted and (b) died from fungal infections at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is not centrally held by the Scottish Government, due to the possibility of patient identifiable information.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government, due to the possibility of patient identifiable information.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde report that maintenance work requests for wards 4a and 4b were mainly in relation to paint and floor damage. Reactive works requests are general requests direct from the Ward and can include issues such as broken equipment, heating, cooling lights, broken beds, electrics etc.

Planned maintenance activities are also carried out which include checks of Ventilation, Emergency lighting, Fire Alarm, Thermal Mixing Taps, Showers and Fire Doors etc.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to run public awareness campaigns on deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and there has been no public awareness campaign on DVT by the Scottish Government since 2011.

The Scottish Government carries out a regular planning process to identify which topics may require support from marketing activity, including public awareness campaigns.

NHSinform.scot contains information on DVT ( https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/deep-vein-thrombosis/ ).

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people get the support that they need to reach their full potential.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2004 (as amended) places duties on education authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. Education authorities can ask other agencies (including social work services, NHS Health Boards and Skills Development Scotland) for help in carrying out their duties under the Act.

Children and young people who are unable to attend school due to ill health should continue, wherever they can, to access education. This includes children and young people who are absent from school due to the effects from long Covid.

Where illness leads to prolonged absence from school, Section 40 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 places duties on education authorities to educate children and young people to their fullest potential and to make special arrangements for the pupil to receive education elsewhere than at school. Alternative educational arrangements could be provided, for example, at home or within a hospital setting.

Guidance to education authorities and other agencies on their duties under the 2004 Act is provided through the statutory Supporting Learners' Code of Practice. Education authorities and other agencies are further supported through guidance on Supporting Children and Young People with Healthcare Needs in Schools and guidance on the Education of Children Unable to Attend School Due to Ill Health.