Chamber and committees

Does Manira Ahmad want to comment?

Therefore, there is a view that we are using all these different third sector organisations and bringing them together. Is that the general view, or could we be doing more?

What is your view, Claire Taylor?

Good morning. I want to start by asking about capacity in the NHS. It is fine for us to listen to the experts, telling us what needs to be put together, but the capacity to do that needs to be there. For example, the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland has said:

“Increased and long-term investment in access to therapies based in the community, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and specialist rehabilitation”

services, is “important”, while the Royal College of Occupational Therapists talks about

“a lack of awareness of how occupational therapy and rehabilitation services can support individuals”.

What I am finding day to day, though, is that those services in the community, which people need just now, are lacking. NHS Fife, for example, has talked about shortages and not being able to recruit OTs and, indeed, a whole range of medical professionals.

What is the capacity in the NHS, right now, to deal with all the other pressures? Is there enough capacity, and is there a joined-up disciplinary approach to tackling long Covid? If someone goes to their GP, will they be referred here, there and wherever?

Good morning. I think that most of you were here for the earlier part of the meeting. Now that you are in front of us, this probably follows on well. One of the issues that we heard about was that there are differences between boards. I think that one witness talked about NHS Lothian having a good model.

What are the key enablers for and barriers to setting up specific services for people who are suffering from long Covid? One witness said that that might not be how we want to do it, because a lot of people report similar symptoms. What are the enablers for and barriers to putting joined-up and patient-centred services in place?

I had better get people’s names right this time. I will start with Professor Lindsay Donaldson.

Good. Heather?

Is it Janis Heaney who is online, convener?

Can you comment, Janis?

Jane?

Thank you.