Chamber and committees

The following table represents the total budget allocated to FSS for each financial year since 2015.

The principles of a health service free at the point of need are sacrosanct, and we are protecting this through our Budget which will provide a record £21.7 billion for health and social care. This includes £200 million to clear waiting list backlogs and improve capacity – ensuring nobody waits more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case treatment by March 2026. We will deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year.

We have already made significant progress against our investment of £30m in 2024-25 to drive targeted action to address the longest delays. To the end of January, Boards are reporting delivery of 75,500 against a plan of 64,000 appointments and procedures, including hip and knee replacement surgeries.

The development of the National Treatment Centre in Livingston is currently paused therefore there are no revised project costs.

The regulation of private equity funds in the UK is overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring compliance with financial and investment laws and is therefore a reserved matter.

FSS collects and monitors Local Authority sampling data and commissions its own national food sampling programmes, which provide assurance on the safety and standards of food sold in Scotland. These include targeted sampling programmes informed by FSS horizon scanning activities, Horizon Scanning | Food Standards Scotland and commodity specific surveys to generate data on the prevalence and levels of contaminants in different foods for the safety assessments that are used to underpin the FSS Risk analysis | Food Standards Scotland. The sampling programmes data is published in FSS’ Our Food Our Food 2023: An annual review of food standards across the UK | Food Standards Scotland; the annual report on food standards in the UK, which is produced jointly with the Food Standards Agency, and DEFRA’s biennial UK Food Security Report 2024 published - GOV.UK. Further information on FSS’s Food Surveillance System can be found on the FSS website: Food surveillance system | Food Standards Scotland.

In March 2024 Processed_and_Ultra-Processed_Foods_-_Board_Meeting_-_2024_March_20_-_240307.pdf the FSS Board agreed the organisational position on processed and ultra-processed foods, based on the SACN review published in July 2023 SACN statement on processed foods and health - GOV.UK. Subsequently, they published a position paper FSS_Advice_-_Processed_and_Ultra-Processed_Food_UPF_-_Position_Paper_-_FINAL_-_August_2024.pdf outlining the evidence in relation to processed and ultra-processed foods and reiterating the advice for healthy and sustainable diets. This was accompanied by consumer advice on the FSS website, summarising ‘five key facts’ Processed and ultra-processed foods | Food Standards Scotland on the topic, alongside social media posts to further raise awareness.

Since January 2024, Energy Saving Trust (EST) as the scheme administrators have processed 97% of applications and 98% of payments across grant and loan schemes within the required 10 working days from receipt of complete documentation.

Outwith this timeframe is the length of time taken to access bespoke advice from Home Energy Scotland or for applicants to provide all required documentation for an application or claim submission. This stage is where the majority of delays occur, and officials have worked with EST to reduce the occurrence of these, where any elements are within EST’s control. This includes implementing a new application and claim system, which delivers significant improvements to the process, including the submission of documents and claims directly to the portal.

In line with feedback from stakeholders, including applicants and installers, the Scottish Government recognises the need for continuous improvement in funding administration, and is considering future developments, whilst balancing the need for consumer protection and counter fraud measures.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering the changes that are required for people with Learning Disabilities as detailed in the Coming Home report and subsequent implementation report in 2022.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions ‘The Trauma and Orthopaedics National Planned Care Performance’ Team in the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) to support both scheduled and unscheduled orthopaedic service delivery through the implementation of sustainable improvements in NHS Scotland. Further details can be accessed at https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/our-work/planned-care/planned-care-specialties/trauma-and-orthopaedics/

It provides support to all regional Health Boards and regularly engages with local Clinical Management teams, including Clinical Directors and/or Orthopaedic Leads, around a number of orthopaedic performance and improvement workstreams. Policy officials and the CfSD leads meet weekly and feedback/follow up these discussions.

The team meets with all health boards either monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or as needed.

All Clinical Management Teams are also invited to attend the Scottish Orthopaedic Services Delivery Group (SOSDG) which is the established T&O delivery group. This is run quarterly on the 1st Thursday in March/June/September/December and has been in place for circa 15 years.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including T&O. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

Scottish Government officials do not routinely engage with speciality clinical directors in territorial boards. They do meet with the Scottish Association of Medical Directors with representation provided by the Executive Medical Director for each board, both special and territorial rather than individual clinical directors.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) manage a Rheumatology Specialty Delivery Group, which includes nominated multi-disciplinary representation from all Health Boards providing Rheumatology services.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including rheumatology. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.