Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government will review the business case for the replacement of the Belford Hospital in Fort William when it is submitted. A key part of that review will be how surgical services are provided in the future and we expect NHS Highland to involve all relevant stakeholders in discussions. NHS Highland is currently building new community hospitals in Aviemore and Broadford and will begin construction of a new elective care centre in Inverness shortly.

The Cancelled Planned Operations publication by Public Health Scotland contains monthly information on the total number of scheduled and cancelled operations by NHS Health Board and hospital site. The information for August 2020 will be published on 6 October 2020 https://beta.isdscotland.org/forthcoming-publications/ .

Please refer to the link in answer S5W-31538. The Cancelled Planned Operations publication by Public Health Scotland contains monthly information on the total number of scheduled and cancelled operations by NHS Health Board and hospital site.

Please refer to the link in answer S5W-31538. The Cancelled Planned Operations publication by Public Health Scotland contains monthly information on the total number of scheduled and cancelled operations by NHS Health Board and hospital site.

As noted in response S5W-31551, the responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2020-21 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities. NHS Scotland Boards will therefore use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances including making the best use of GP practice capacity to support the 2020 flu vaccination programme. This may be by directly vaccinating their own patients or by making their partners and staff available to Health Boards. Health Boards have been provided with a framework for agreeing financial arrangements for GP practices' participation in the programme.

Scottish Government has advised NHS boards that a whole system response is required to deliver the flu vaccination programme this year because GPs’ capacity will be constrained by the need to maintain infection control.

Community pharmacy teams have played a vital role in the NHS response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Our network of 1,258 community pharmacies have remained fully accessible throughout the pandemic providing a fully range of pharmaceutical care services, including the launching of the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service in July 2020.

As noted in response S5W-31551, the responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2020-21 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities. NHS Scotland Boards will therefore use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances which may include the use of community pharmacy, whilst maintaining a Covid-safe environment and maximising efficiency.

Any PPE which has been issued to NHS Boards for onward distribution to dental practices and may have passed its original expiry date, has been re-tested to ensure it remains safe to use.

These revalidation tests are approved and reviewed by the Health & Safety Executive and to standards that are relevant to the PPE being tested. The Director of Dentistry at NHS National Services Scotland wrote to Dental Practitioners at the start of September to assure those who receive products marked as having passed their use-by/expiration dates that the products in question have passed stringent tests that demonstrate they remain safe to use.

The 3M 1863 FFP3 manufacturer’s guidance confirms that testing and revalidating is a legitimate practice to extend the life of an FFP3 mask.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32003 on 2 October 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-32003 on 2 October 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