- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent question by Kevin Stewart on 20 May 2021 regarding the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Authority to discharge, on what date it was initially advised that the discharge of patients who had not been tested for COVID-19 or had tested positive from hospital to care homes was unlawful.
Answer
The Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) report did not take account of the testing status of patients discharged from hospital. During the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic concerns were raised that people who were in hospital and lacked capacity may have been moved from hospital to care homes without full understanding of the legal requirements to ensure rights are upheld, and the move to care was lawful. This report details the findings of their investigation into these specific concerns.
The report concluded that some people had been moved without the appropriate legal authority, for example a Power of Attorney or Welfare Guardian. You can access the full report on the MWC website at https://www.mwcscot.org.uk/news/moves-hospitals-care-homes-during-pandemic-new-report-finds-wider-concerns-over-adherence-law .
The Scottish Government was first made aware that some people had been moved from hospital without the appropriate legal authority when we received the Mental Welfare Commissions draft report in April 2021.
Regarding the testing status of patients discharged to care homes, as stated in Parliament on 4 November 2020 by the then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, prior to the Sunday Post publishing their FOI, neither Scottish Ministers nor Government officials had information on the results of covid-19 tests prior to discharge, or where these patients were discharged. The Cabinet Secretary commissioned Public Health Scotland to carry out work to identify and report on discharges from NHS Hospitals to care homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This report is available on the Public Health Scotland website at https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/population-health/covid-19/discharges-from-nhsscotland-hospitals-to-care-homes/.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent question by Kevin Stewart on 20 May 2021 regarding the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Authority to discharge, whether it had sought advice regarding whether the discharge of patients who had not been tested for COVID-19 or had tested positive from hospital to care homes was unlawful and, if so, whether it will publish this advice.
Answer
The Scottish Government did not seek any advice on whether the discharge of patients who had not been tested for COVID-19 or had tested positive from hospital to care homes was unlawful. Any decision on whether a patient is ready for discharge is a clinical one, made by the clinician in charge. Where someone is most appropriately cared for after discharge is based on a multi-disciplinary assessment involving the individual and their family carers. In cases where a patient lacks capacity, an appointed guardian or carer with power of attorney, will be involved. If somebody is discharged to a care home it is because that has been assessed as the best place to meet their needs.
In March 2020 the Scottish Government issued guidance which stated that prior to people being admitted to a care home whether from hospital or the community, clinical screening should be undertaken of patients alongside a risk assessment to ensure sufficient resources including appropriate isolation facilities are available within the care home to support social distancing and isolation. The guidance recommended all admissions to be isolated for 7 days and if known to have contact with COVID patients for 14 days. Both clinical decisions around discharge and risk assessments are undertaken locally by health and social care professionals. There is no involvement of Scottish Ministers.
On 21 April 2020 the then Health Secretary announced that all admissions to care homes from hospital should have a negative test for COVID-19 prior to admission to the home, regardless of symptoms unless it is in the clinical interests of the patient to be moved, and then only after a full risk assessment. Where a patient has tested positive for Covid two negative tests are required. This policy is reflected in both Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland guidance for care homes.
On 28 October 2020 Public Health Scotland published analysis of discharges to care homes between 1 March and 31 May 2020. This report was subsequently updated on 21 April 2021 This report is available on the Public Health Scotland website at https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/population-health/covid-19/discharges-from-nhsscotland-hospitals-to-care-homes/ .
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many tenants have received loans from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund.
Answer
As of 17 May 2021, there have been 145 tenants that have received a loan from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and there are a further 27 successful applications that are in the process of being paid. This is part of a range of measures to support tenants.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider implementing the collection of lateral flow tests from local pharmacies or GP practices to allow those in rural communities or those who do not have digital access to collect free testing kits.
Answer
Testing for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms was made available to everyone in Scotland on 26 April. Everyone can now access free lateral flow devices (LFD), for testing at home twice a week. To get a LFD test you can:
- order an LFD test kit pack online at GOV.UK for home delivery
- collect a test kit from your nearest COVID-19 test site , by applying the “pick up sites for test kits” filter on the site finder.
As announced at the launch of the universally accessible testing offer, we continue to explore other options for increasing accessibility of testing across Scotland including the option to collect LFD test kit from pharmacies. I expect to be in a position to confirm these arrangements shortly.
The Scottish Testing Programme is kept under constant review in line with the latest clinical and scientific advice.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle and reduce any waste and pollution caused by the clothing and fashion industry.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the need to tackle our throw-away culture, which includes so-called ‘fast fashion’. For example, the Revolve Programme run by Zero Waste Scotland already seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of responsible consumption by promoting the environmental benefits of second-hand over new clothing purchases, as well as directing consumers to the network of over 100 certified stores: What is Revolve? | The first choice for second-hand shopping (zerowastescotland.org.uk) .
SEPA has identified that Textiles and Apparel Manufacture will be the subject of a forthcoming Sector Plan. This will set out how SEPA will regulate and engage with the industry to tackle and reduce the environmental impacts from the textile sector: Plans in development | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) .
The Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward a Circular Economy Bill to advance Scotland's ambitions to promote an economy where materials remain in use for as long as possible, rather than being thrown away, and to establish a fund based on the success of the Saltire Tidal Energy Challenge Fund for innovation in tackling textile pollution and throw-away culture.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) on Northern Isles routes.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing fares on Northern Isles ferry routes.
Following engagement with European Commission officials in 2019, Transport Scotland officials were developing proposals to introduce RET. This work was rightly paused in early 2020, while resources were pivoted to deal with the Covid outbreak, however work has recently resumed.
Engagement between Transport Scotland officials and ferry operators has taken place and will continue as the work progresses. I will keep the member updated on progress.
As the member is aware, fare reductions for passengers, cars and cabins have been introduced on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes, in addition to the existing 30% discount for islanders.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish the Island Communities Impact Assessment for its new young person’s free bus travel scheme, and whether it will provide an update on its consideration of including ferry fares within this policy.
Answer
We are committed to carrying out an Islands Communities Impact Assessment for the new free bus travel scheme for young people prior to it coming into operation.
Following a consultation on free bus travel for young people late last year, officials are now consulting further with island communities. We expect to publish the Islands Communities Impact Assessment later this summer.
Ferry fares policy options are being considered through the ongoing review of concessionary travel arrangements across all modes for under 26 year olds and through the Islands Connectivity Plan.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether records of weather conditions that affect the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge, including wind speed and wind direction, are publicly available and, if so, whether it will provide information on where the public can access these records.
Answer
Wind and weather information in respect of the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge are published on a daily basis at https://www.theforthbridges.org/plan-your-journey/wind-and-weather/ . Historical records are available on request at [email protected] .
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in future contract discussions with lifeline ferry service providers, it will consider removing seasonal fares for island residents.
Answer
A review of ferry fares policy is being undertaken as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP), the successor to the current Ferries Plan (2013-22). This will consider issues such as seasonality and inform future ferry service contracts.
- Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2021
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by John Swinney on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer
Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today.
These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to make an adjustment in relation to requirement to wear a face covering to allow the temporary removal of face coverings by a person receiving treatments around the mouth and nose. The Regulations also permit indoor organised activity in Level 2 for all ages.
The Regulations have been published at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2021/224 .