The Homeless Death report used classifications (known as ICD-10) for cause of death and the established National Records of Scotland definition of a drug-related death (see Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2020 ). Therefore, all drug-related deaths reported within the NRS Homeless Death Report will also be included in the National Records of Scotland drug-related death report.

Spirometry is already a key recommendation in national clinical guidelines and we expect clinicians to deliver care in line with all relevant clinical guidelines when assessing patients who present themselves at healthcare settings with respiratory symptoms.

We also recognise that data plays an important role in improving services and understanding respiratory care in Scotland. That is why in our Respiratory Care Action Plan we have committed to develop a core respiratory data set that will help us understand the areas for improvement in respiratory care.

The Scottish Government recognises how important free bus travel will be to those young people under the age of 22 who need to make essential journeys during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme remains set to come into operation on 31 January 2022. Details on how to apply are available on the Transport Scotland website ( https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-persons-free-bus-travel-scheme/#69510 ). At this time, given the high levels of transmission associated with the Omicron variant, we are asking that only those with an essential need to travel by bus apply and that anyone travelling should follow the latest advice to keep themselves and others safe. The high profile marketing campaign which was planned to accompany the opening of the application process has been delayed until a time when it better aligns with wider public messaging, once current guidance on staying at home as much as possible and avoiding mixing in larger groups has been eased. As a result, initial usage of the scheme is expected to be less than it would otherwise have been.

The information requested is management information and is not currently published, however, Public Health Scotland produce a weekly COVID-19 Statistical Report, with the most recent version being published on 7 January 2022. This report provides a range of information including the number of LFDs reported through various channels in Scotland.

On 24 March 2021, we published our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland that sets out our vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), and Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA).

A link to the Plan can be found by following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/respiratory-care-action-plan-scotland-2021-2026/documents/.

Public Health Scotland publish a monthly census of delayed discharges in Scotland, broken down by Health Board and Local Authority, which allows for public scrutiny of progress in every partnership.

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, the Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and the Chief Officer of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership to monitor progress in tackling delayed discharges in Edinburgh.

Information on the number of patients delayed waiting for an Intermediate Care bed is published by Public Health Scotland within the delayed discharge monthly census which is available at https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-monthly/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-monthly-figures-for-october-2021/

The development of services at a local level is the responsibility of individual health and social care partnerships, in consultation with their NHS, local authority, housing and third sector partners, and we are encouraging partnerships across Scotland to develop and grow a range of Intermediate Care services.

To support this the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care announced on 5 October 2021 additional £300 million funding to address winter pressures on Health and Social Care services, which included £20 million to help develop and enhance multi-disciplinary working.

We know meaningful, fair work can provide important benefits for people’s mental health and wellbeing. Creating workplaces which support and promote good mental health benefits individuals and employers.

Our ‘Mental Health – Transition and Recovery Plan’ outlines our response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and our commitments to support mental health and wellbeing. The plan includes key employment actions to promote and support mental wellbeing at work.

A Short Life Working Group, consisting of employer groups, trade unions and mental health organisations has been established to help take forward key employment actions. The group is working collaboratively to identify the issues and challenges employers are facing in supporting mental health in a range of different workplaces, including office and home-based environments. The outcomes of this will inform the next steps to be undertaken to ensure employers have the support they need to create mentally healthy workplaces, free of stigma and discrimination across all sectors.

The group has a dedicated sub-group reviewing current national guidance on safer workplaces, including guidance on home working to ensure it reflects the importance of looking after employees’ mental wellbeing while working from home, and signposting to appropriate sources of advice and support.

Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership has been experiencing a period of significant hospital flow pressures due to a combination of sustained front door attendances and workforce issues and a drop in packages of care at home capacity, which has contributed to the increase in delayed discharges in Edinburgh. These are in addition to long standing recruitment and retention of Social Care staff within Edinburgh, and the availability of staffed care home places.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), as the Independent Professional and Regulatory Body for teachers in Scotland, has a published Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy which sets out what GTCS will investigate under its fitness to teach procedures. It is available on the GTCS website and members of the public are encouraged to read it prior to submitting a referral to GTCS regarding a registered teacher.

The Scottish Government is aware of these issues and continues to have regular dialogue with GTCS on these matters.