As a body designated under the Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland is working to support the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation initiative. The Commission makes a positive contribution to this initiative through collaborating with other regulators and water industry stakeholders, sharing Scotland’s expertise and best practice and to build capacity in economic regulation and water sector governance. As a founding member of the European Water Regulators Network (WAREG), WICS has built strong working relationships with water regulators across Europe. The Commission’s collaboration with WAREG members has been the foundation for developing memoranda of understanding (MoU) with 8 European water regulators. This allows it to exchange information, share knowledge and build the capacity of staff across organisations. There are no MoUs currently under negotiation.

WICS does not hold detailed information on the average cost of completing each memorandum. However, all revenue generated from international projects makes a significant contribution to the Commission’s overheads. This brings direct benefit to Scottish customers by reducing the levy it would otherwise charge Scottish Water which is money that would ultimately come from customers in the form of higher bills. In addition, the insights learnt from international partners helps the Commission to stay at the forefront of regulatory best practice.

The Commission off-sets its carbon footprint by making a contribution to woodlands being planted in Scotland. This contribution is based on the carbon footprint for the previous financial year, as published in its annual reports.

Information on the Commission’s carbon footprint is published in its annual reports, available on its website.

The Water Industry Commission for Scotland is committed to conducting its activities in a sustainable way. The Commission currently offsets its carbon footprint by contributing to woodland being planted in Scotland. In the context of the global climate emergency and Scotland’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions, WICS will continue to seek out ways to reduce the impact of its activities, whilst delivering on its duties as effectively as possible.

The Commission is not required to have separate accounts for Hydro Nation activity.

Upper respiratory tract infections may result in viral conjunctivitis and this is also the case with COVID-19. A meta-analysis published in April found the overall rate of conjunctivitis in COVID-19 reported cases was 1.1% ranging from 3% in severe cases to 0.7% in non-severe cases.

Advice from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the College of Optometrists recognise that it is unlikely that a patient would present with viral conjunctivitis secondary to COVID-19 without other symptoms as conjunctivitis seems to be a late feature where it has occurred.

It is important to note that there is no evidence to suggest that conjunctivitis can cause COVID-19 or that you are at higher risk of developing COVID-19 if you have conjunctivitis.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30555 on 30 July 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-30555 on 30 July 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-30555 on 30 July 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 .

Throughout our response to the pandemic, where an urgent clinical need has existed Essential Musculoskeletal services, which includes first contact practitioners, have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic using telephone, Near me and in person if required.

On 31 May we published the “Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: the framework for NHS Scotland” that supports Health Boards to plan the phased restoration of postponed NHS services. A Mobilisation Recovery Group, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, has been established to advise Government.

Initial plans for the period ending July 2020 have been received and a summary of services being resumed broken down by territorial Health Board was published on 19 June. This shows the safe and phased re-start of many hospital elective and primary care services (in line with the above Framework, clinical guidance and according to local circumstances).

The next iteration of plans for the period ending March 2021 have been requested and these will be analysed in early August. Any issues with plans are being addressed directly with Health Boards as part of the iterative planning process.

Most Health Boards have provided urgent orthopaedic/ rheumatology care during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and are resuming outpatient clinics utilising virtual or telephone consultations where it is clinically appropriate.

Nationally we have worked with third sector organisations such as Versus Arthritis to publish tailored advice and guidance about specific long term conditions and COVID-19, to signpost people to resources and different ways to access support to self-manage their condition.