Chamber and committees

To support the collaborative co-design we launched registration to Lived Experience Experts Panel and Stakeholder Register on 22 September 2022. Further information and registration details can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/design-the-national-care-service/

As of 7 December 2022, we had 421 applicants registered with the Lived Experience Experts Panel.

As of 7 December 2022, we had 210 organisations sign up for the Stakeholder Register.

The Panel and the Register are both being actively monitored for demographics, geographic spread and protected characteristics to ensure we encourage a true representation of the population. Targeted engagement will be undertaken to address any gaps and ensure robust information gathering and development Promotion of the opportunities to register will continue throughout the life time of the programme.

Paragraph 48 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum refers to this. This can be accessed at: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/national-care-service-scotland-bill/introduced

Once the structure and governance of care boards and their localities have been decided, decisions about the employment of local government staff can be made. Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) / Cabinet Office Statement of Practice (COSOP) principles will apply if the delivery of services is transferred from local authorities to care boards. If that is the case, the TUPE process would be followed.

A Financial Memorandum was published alongside the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill which sets out a range of costs that could be incurred within the establishment and running of the NCS. This included anticipated costs for co-design.

For people participating in the Lived Experience Experts Panel expense costs they incur to participate will be remunerated. The cost of co-design will therefore be dependent on the level of engagement and remuneration claimed by individuals for the cost of participating. A policy document on remuneration is currently being drafted and will be published before the end of the current financial year.

Under the National Care Service, local care boards will replace the current integration authorities in planning and delivering integrated health and social care services at the local level. We therefore intend to bring forward an amendment to the Bill to provide for the repeal of Part 1 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12831 on 15 December 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

We are concerned by evidence about the financial strain some economically vulnerable groups are experiencing, such as those dependent on alcohol. We are working on a range of actions to make alcohol treatment services more accessible to those who need them, to support individuals to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Anyone worried about affording essentials like food or fuel should contact their local authority where they can be put in contact with local advice and support.

Our cost of living website provides information on the wide range of advice and financial support available.

Paragraph 48 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum sets out the local decisions required. This can be accessed at: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/national-care-service-scotland-bill/introduced

These local decisions will inform future discussions on any staff transfers. The length of time taken to transfer staff is directly related to these local level decisions.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12831 on 15 December 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

An announcement on the appointment of the Women’s Health Champion will be made shortly.

The role holder will commence their duties as Champion to drive change and share best practice and innovation, following the announcement.

The following table shows the number of homes and projects that have been approved in August, September, October and November 2022, broken down by baseline benchmark type and whether above, at, or below benchmark:

City and Urban