Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31859 on 11 December 2024. 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.

The Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland. NHS boards have responsibility for deciding how to deliver services locally based on the needs of the people in their area. Detail on whether osteopathic services are offered to patients would have to be requested from NHS Boards.

Following the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which provides advice on immunisation to all four UK nations, for winter 2024, COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups in Scotland:

Residents in care homes for older adults

All adults aged 65 years and over

Individuals aged 6 months and over who are in a clinical at risk group (as defined in tables 3 and 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book), including pregnant women

Frontline Health & Social Care Workers

Staff in care homes for older adults

The key change in eligibility this winter, compared to winter 2023, is that unpaid carers and household contacts of the immunosuppressed are no longer eligible for COVID-19 vaccination this winter, as per the advice of the JCVI.

The JCVI noted that they no longer advise COVID-19 vaccination for frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults, but advised that health and social care service providers may wish to consider vaccination as an occupational health programme.

The Scottish Government made the decision to continue the offer of COVID-19 vaccination to frontline health and social care workers, and staff in care homes for older adults for winter 2024. We will begin to assess the need for any future offer for these two groups in early 2025.

The Scottish Government is aware that currently some individuals across NHS Lothian are experiencing difficulties disposing of their sharps waste.

While the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services is the responsibility of the Scottish Government, the responsibility for providing arrangements for individuals to safely dispose of prescribed needles and other associated sharps waste is the responsibility of local Health Boards. In NHS Lothian this is delivered by community pharmacies through a local enhanced service for prescribed medicines and sharps waste disposal.

The Scottish Government is in close contact with NHS Lothian, and the Board is actively working with their four Health and Social Care Partnerships and Community Pharmacy Lothian to address the situation.

Anyone who is not in one of the groups listed in the answer to S6W-32362 on 23 December 2024 is not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

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

Smoking is the most significant cause of preventable cancer in Scotland (18%). By 2034, we aim to be living in a Tobacco-Free Scotland, reducing smoking rates to below 5%.

To help achieve this, the Scottish Government launched the “Quit Your Way” stop smoking service campaign, which ran for 5 weeks between February and March 2024. An assessment of the campaign found that visits to the Quit Your Way Scotland NHS Inform page increased by 100% and numbers of people visiting the local help to stop smoking page increased up to 2297% compared to the 5 weeks prior. Requests for support to stop smoking via NHS Inform, where we make clear the link between smoking and cancer, doubled compared to the same period in 2023.

Figures published by Public Health Scotland on 17 December 2024 show that over the past year more people have accessed the NHS smoking cessation service, 30,314, a 12.4% increase from 2022-23 (26,963).

We will publish the independent analysis report of the consultation responses in early 2025, as well as next steps for the regulation of HFSS food and drink promotions.

The public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt closed on 21 May 2024. The consultation sought views on qualifying businesses in scope of regulations and proposed exemptions.

We will publish the independent analysis report of the consultation responses in early 2025, as well as next steps for the regulation of HFSS food and drink promotions.

The public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt closed on 21 May 2024. The consultation paper sought views on proposals for price promotions within scope of restrictions, including meal deals and temporary price reductions.

We will publish the independent analysis report of the consultation responses in early 2025, as well as next steps for the regulation of HFSS food and drink promotions.

We are committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis are able to access the best possible care and support and that they benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

That is why endometriosis is one of the key priorities in the Women’s Health Plan and will continue to be so.

Information about the progress to date against each of the priorities in the Women’s Health Plan can be found in the Women’s Health Plan Final Report.