Chamber and committees

Until 1 February 2021, early learning and childcare (‘ELC’) settings and schools will be able to open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children only.

Those who work directly with children and young people at local authority level are best placed to identify how many children and young people will require support during this exceptional period.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the expected uptake of ELC and school provision between 26 December and 1 February. We will publish data on actual uptake of this provision in due course.

Figures on children of key workers and vulnerable children who attended critical childcare settings between 30 March and 5 August can be found here Covid19ELCandHubs - SG Education Analytical Services: Learning Analysis | Tableau Public .

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets out the legislative framework for integrating health and social care. It requires Integration Authorities to engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, and to work with local communities and professionals to improve outcomes and sustainability through service redesign. This would include considering the location and travel requirements of patients when GP contracts are awarded and services are relocated.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I appreciate how difficult postponement of treatment has been for people with chronic pain. We remain committed to ensuring that health boards resume a full range of specialist pain services as quickly as it is safe to do so. In September 2020 we published the COVID-19 Recovery Framework for NHS Pain Management Services to support Health Boards in this process, however we are aware of the challenges Boards are facing given the current prevalence of the virus.

The Scottish Government has consistently made clear that we will provide the necessary funding across health and care services to recognise the additional costs of responding to COVID-19 and to ensure that patient safety remains the top priority at all times. In September 2020 the Scottish Government confirmed additional funding of £1.1 billion across NHS Boards and Social Care Partnerships to help them meet COVID-19 related costs and remobilisation of services.

I cannot comment on individual cases but in general terms NHS Scotland cannot pay retrospectively for or subsidise private health care arranged independently by a patient. In addition, anybody seeking private treatment requires prior authorisation from their local Health Board before they travel.

Health Boards are expected to triage cases locally based on clinical need and in-line with advice from expert clinical organisations (such as the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the British Pain Society) on the provision and use of interventions during the pandemic to minimise the risk to patients. While the frequency of treatments will vary according to individual circumstances, I would encourage people to contact their GP or lead clinician if they are unhappy with their current care to discuss alternative treatment or for additional referral if clinically appropriate.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34310 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The specification of provision of free school meals within Coronavirus (COVID-19): school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 is part of making provision for vulnerable pupils, this is intended to ensure that this provision is prioritised in line with the requirements of Education Continuity Direction no 6 .

In making these provisions, the statutory requirement for education authorities to protect the identity of those pupils receiving free school lunches, thereby preventing stigma, remains in place.

Figures on children and young people attending settings in the initial March 2020 lockdown can be found here: Covid19ELCandHubs - SG Education Analytical Services: Learning Analysis | Tableau Public

The provision of free school meals and alternatives is made to those who are entitled to, or who become eligible for free school meals in line with the national eligibility criteria for the provision of free school meals. This is available from School meals - mygov.scot . Free school meals and alternatives may also be provided to those who qualify under local initiatives.

Statistics on pupils registered for free school meals, including those that qualify under national criteria as well as any local initiatives that extend those criteria, are published in tables 6.17 and 7.14 of the pupil census supplementary statistics, available on the Scottish Government website here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/pupil-census-supplementary-statistics/