Chamber and committees

These statistics are not collected.

In order to achieve our primary objective of reducing interactions and helping to drive down community transmission of Covid-19, the number of key worker children presenting to schools during the current strict lockdown must be kept to an absolute minimum. The purpose of the exceptional key worker arrangements initiated in January 2021 is therefore to ensure that workers who are critical to supporting essential and lifeline services in Scotland can request places for their children in schools or with childcare providers, when alternative options have been exhausted.

Where construction or manufacturing supports the essential or critical services set out in the key worker guidance published on 06 January 2021, employers and staff would be eligible to request access to key worker child places in schools as potential Category 3 workers, or as a potential Category 2 worker if directly supporting the CNI. As not all construction or manufacturing supports such services, it is for local authorities, schools and providers to consider and respond to individual requests based on the specific circumstances involved. Employers are therefore asked to strictly prioritise and only request places for staff who are critical to the provision of essential services and have no alternate childcare or working options.

Local authorities are expected to take account of the diverse needs of their local communities, families and young people when applying these arrangements and managing demand for places in schools.

The definitions of key workers have been designed to provide local authorities with the flexibility to meet the needs of their local communities. When determining which children should attend, local authorities and childcare settings should have regard to the overarching policy aim which is to minimise the number of children and adults from different households interacting in-person within communities in order to reduce transmission of the virus.

Local authorities are operating within a framework agreed with Scottish Government however there is flexibility for local authorities and individual childcare providers to consider requests in line with local needs. We have a very diverse range of communities in Scotland and a one size fits all approach would not be appropriate, therefore local authorities must be free to take decisions at a local level.

The purpose of the current exceptional arrangements are to ensure that key workers performing an essential role in the Covid-19 response can request access to their child's usual school or childcare setting. However, alternative options, such as home working or access to informal childcare should have been considered in line with current guidance before requesting access.

Employers have a duty to take all measures which are reasonably practicable to minimise the risk of the incidence and spread of Covid-19 on their premises. This includes supporting staff to work from home for those roles that can be undertaken remotely. As would be expected under normal circumstances, employers should have a fair and flexible approach towards those with caring responsibilities, and should make use wherever possible of flexible working options such as reduced or flexible working hours.

The Government continues to support the member’s amendment to the motion that I tabled in the Parliament on 8 September, which stated that women affected by complications arising from mesh should have “the early prospect of full transvaginal mesh removal surgery being undertaken by surgeons who enjoy the full confidence of the women affected, fully funded by the NHS ".

The national service in Scotland is establishing close working relationships with the equivalent services being developed by NHS England, and it is envisaged that this will allow referral to these services, as a further choice, where required and clinically appropriate.

In addition, I have asked NHS National Services Scotland to actively consider whether options are available for the commissioning of mesh removal services outside of the NHS. It is important to note, however, that the referral of patients for treatment outwith NHS Scotland, particularly where it involves foreign travel, is a complex issue. This is particularly so in terms of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of patients. We must be assured regarding the quality and safety of care available. Treatment must also take account and be integrated with pre- and post-operative care. There are also obvious concerns around women travelling long distances during the present pandemic.

As these issues are resolved I will update those affected directly with whom we are in contact and MSPs.

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is administering the mesh fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The following table illustrates, as at 2 December 2020, the number of applications accepted, declined and pending, as well as the amount that has so far been paid to applicants:

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33642 on 16 December 2020. 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-33642 on 16 December 2020. 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 Scottish Government is developing a campaign to run in advance of Halloween and Bonfire Night, detailing how children and families can celebrate both days safely. The campaign will highlight activities that can be enjoyed within the current Covid restrictions.

In addition, the Scottish Government will run public awareness and safety campaigns in advance of Bonfire Night, to highlight the impact that the private use of fireworks can have on people, animals and emergency services; along with fireworks safety information and advice on how to report fireworks misuse.

Our guidance for students on visits home (published 27 September 2020) explains how the current restrictions on gatherings apply to students living away from home. It should be read alongside wider Scottish Government guidance and sets out the steps students should take to ensure any return home for a short stay or visit is conducted safely.

As the guidance sets out, a reasonable excuse for visiting home could include a family emergency, wellbeing reasons or employment purposes. What is reasonable will of course depend on the circumstances of each case.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Implementation of the agreed guidance is the responsibility of local authorities and schools, working closely with their school communities.

However, we are working with partners to carefully monitor how the guidance is being applied in practice. We seek regular feedback from partners via the Education Recovery Group about the experiences of pupils and staff in schools for these purposes. Where there is a need to take action, either by updating our guidance or ensuring it is being given practical effect, we will work with partners to do so.

Following 500 initial telephone compliance checks, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has now nearly completed its programme of follow-up compliance visits to 100 schools regarding implementation of school reopening guidance. The HSE’s overall findings were positive. HSE officials provided feedback that, while the use of face coverings did not form a central part of health and safety assessments during visits, in the secondary schools visited use of face coverings in communal areas and corridors was in general well observed.