Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

The Scottish Government has never approved funding for the relocation of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and self-evidently has not therefore withdrawn funding. In February 2018, the Scottish Government invited NHS Lothian to submit an Outline Business Case, making clear that it was not making a commitment to fund the construction of a new eye hospital.

The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways such as for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways such as for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

A pilot thrombectomy programme began in the North of Scotland at NHS Tayside on 9 November. A fully operational thrombectomy 24/7 service is anticipated in Tayside by 2023, and will form part of a national network in line with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government commitment.

In the West of Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus will provide a ‘hub’ thrombectomy service for the West of Scotland by 2023, while the NHS Lothian service will also be operating from the Little France site within the same timeframe.

As set out in this year’s Programme for Government, we expect NHS Lothian to provide a Thrombectomy service on the Little France site by 2023.

NHS Lothian’s Referral to Treatment data is not currently available for the period July to December 2020 due to significant pressure on the local information and intelligence resources in light of the current COVID19 pressure. This information will be published at a later date. The Scottish Government remains deeply grateful for the hard work, commitment and professionalism of all NHS staff at this time of unprecedented challenge.

Care home residents have started to received their second dose. Latest progress on second doses for care homes residents (as of 7 March) was 17,467 vaccinations (58% of residents in older adult care homes and 55% of residents in all care homes).

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those living with respiratory conditions can access clinically appropriate, safe and effective person-centred healthcare treatment and support. The Respiratory Care Action Plan will set out the priorities and commitments to support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the following 5 respiratory conditions: Asthma; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); Bronchiectasis; Sleep Apnoea; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Clear governance arrangements will be put in place, following the publication of the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland. This will include a National Advisory Committee with representation from key delivery partners to inform and develop the implementation programme and associated governance and monitoring arrangements.

We intend to publish our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland before the 25 March 2021.