Chamber and committees

Since the integration of health and social care in 2015, local authorities' responsibilities in relation to adaptations (including for housing association tenants) have been legally delegated to Integration Joint Boards (IJBs). IJBs now are responsible for the planning and delivery of adaptations using budget created by delegation and for reviewing and developing services to improve outcomes for people who require adaptations.

The Care Home Census for Adults in Scotland confirms there were 1,142 adult care homes operating in Scotland as at 31 March 2017, but none of these are registered as "integrated care homes".

Short stay residents in care homes are regarded as residents whose intention,when admitted to an adult care home was to stay for fewer than six weeks, and the reason for the short stay is not respite relief. If a resident stays longer than 6 weeks they are counted as a long stay resident instead.

As at 31 March 2017, the number of short stay/respite residents in care homes for older people had increased by 96% in comparision with March 2007 (1,468 compared to 750). A significant number of short stay residents will be receiving intermediate care.

We still estimate there are around 700 intermediate care beds across Scotland, and these can be found in a variety of settings including community hospitals and care homes. Many more care home places are commissioned by health and social care partnerships to support people with a range of needs.

Health and Social Care Partnerships are responsible for developing a strategic commissioning plan which sets out plans to shape and deliver local health and social care services that meet the needs of their local population. Care homes play an important role in supporting the delivery of this plan and enabling people to keep well in a homely setting.

NHS Tayside have indicated that the median waiting time for a new outpatient urology appointment within NHS Tayside based on completed waits in September 2018, was 20 weeks. The Board currently have 2,077 new outpatients waiting for a Urology appointment with 671 of these having received appointment dates.

NHS Tayside are developing plans to deliver improved and sustainable access and performance. As part of their Integrated Clinical Strategy, a review of how Urology Services across the region should be provided has commenced. NHS Tayside are working with clinical teams to develop a long term sustainable plan which will deliver the capacity required to meet demand for urological services going forward. The Scottish Government has also made an additional £50 million available this year to NHS Boards with NHS Tayside receiving £3.9 million to reduce the number of patients experiencing exceptionally long waits.

Since the integration of health and social care, Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) are now responsible for the planning and delivery of adaptations using budgets created by delegation and for reviewing and developing services to improve outcomes for people who require adaptations.

We have also provided £10 million directly to Registered Social Landlords this year, to assist them in providing adaptations for their tenants.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of savings achieved by housing association adaptations. However we are aware of research undertaken by others both in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK that considers the evidence for potential savings to health budgets from adaptations being made to the homes older or disabled people who need them.

In December 2015, the Scottish Government committed to allocating £3.5m over four years to support the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA). This funding is to support improvements in palliative and end of life care, and is in addition to expenditure by Integration Authorities on these services, which is described in their strategic commissioning plans and financial reports. It is expected that the £3.5m for implementing the SFA will be fully spent by the end of this financial year.

The Scottish Government is working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to explore options for further improving palliative and end of life care services.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the impact of housing association adaptations on NHS waiting times for occupational therapy.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of housing being adaptable in order to meet people’s needs over time. Housing Beyond 2021 will be a vision for how our homes and communities should look and feel in 2040 and the options and choices to get there, as set out in our Programme for Government. The flexibility and adaptability of the housing stock will be considered as part of this work.

Since the integration of health and social care, Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) are responsible for the delivery of adaptations and for reviewing, planning and developing services to improve outcomes for people who require adaptation services.

We have also provided £10 million directly to Registered Social Landlords in 2018-19, to assist them in providing adaptations for their tenants.

Our National Performing Companies and National Collections often enter into collaborations with key partners across the UK and further afield. Creative Scotland too have developed strong links with partners across the UK.

Scotland House London delivers an ambitious and exciting programme to engage local audiences with Scotland's culture, with a wide-ranging programme of events.

Both the Scottish and UK Governments were key partners in the 2018 Edinburgh International Culture Summit which welcomed visitors from across the globe.

We also work closely with the British Council, to promote and support Scottish creative talent at home and abroad.