My officials previously proposed a phased commencement of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act) and this remains the Government’s intention. Commencement of the Act will also require regulations to be made and there is very limited parliamentary time left in this session to progress secondary legislation. Due to pressures on that limited time caused by the priority of Covid-19 and EU Exit legislation, the current focus has been on critical legislation that requires to be progressed before the dissolution of Parliament for the 2021 election.

Prior to Covid, the Act Implementation Team were undertaking a programme of preparatory work to lay the way for implementation. This included the preparation of statutory guidance; a series of stakeholder engagement events to consult on the guidance, including visits to every Board and establishing 13 distinct working groups for specific guidance chapters; the instructing of regulations, and the preparation for detailed end to end testing of the Act’s statutory guidance at four Health Boards. Following on from this process a public consultation would take place.

This work had not concluded pre-Covid when the Act became one of a number of areas of policy/legislation to be suspended in order to prioritise the Government’s response to the pandemic. A significant amount of work was undertaken to draft guidance prior to the pandemic, however further work is still required. It will also be important to reflect on learning from Covid-19 and whether some redrafting of the current draft guidance will be required as a result.

Given that Covid-19 has considerably stretched resources within Boards and the wider health and social care sector, as well as the continuing uncertainty facing us, we believe it is not practical to establish a definitive implementation timetable for bringing the Act into force. However, the Scottish Government is resolute in its continuing commitment to the Act and its principles. Health and social care staff across Scotland have risen to the very significant challenges posed by Covid, showing incredible resolve and flexibility, and we will ensure this Act is implemented effectively to drive positive change for NHS staff and patients.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34257 on 20 January 2021. 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 answers to questions S5W-34257 and S5W-34264 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

Additionally, the Healthcare Staffing Programme has been established within Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) and this programme will assist Boards in meeting their obligations under the Health and Social Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act), providing support and guidance while monitoring compliance. The programme will also be responsible for the development of staffing tools and methodology, as well as their review. The programme has been overseeing the use, development and regular review of the existing tools on behalf of Scottish Ministers until the Act is commenced. This programme was paused at the beginning of the pandemic, but has now restarted, although slowly in light of the continuing pressures of Covid-19. This work will support Boards in understanding how to prepare to meet their obligations under the Act, and will also undertake a revised range of roles, including supporting Boards in understanding workforce requirements in relation to it and to their Re-mobilisation plans.

Throughout 2020 the Scottish Government’s Cardiac Rehab Champion, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, was in contact with health boards across Scotland and worked with them to discuss alternative, Covid-appropriate options to traditional face-to-face rehabilitation.

Our overriding priority is to keep people safe, in their homes and in healthcare settings. Individual decisions based on the benefits and risks of treatment may have to be made for people living with a heart disease. Alternative therapy options involving fewer visits to hospital are being offered to individuals where these are considered clinically appropriate.

This information is not centrally held. I suggest you contact the relevant Boards for this information.

The Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director most recently wrote to hospices on the 22 December 2020 to offer updated advice on visiting over the winter period.

This letter emphasised that Scottish Hospices are expected to follow the visiting guidance that is most closely aligned to the physical attributes of their service. It is important to reflect that the majority of patients cared for in this type of setting will fall under the visiting guidance exemption for end of life care. In such instances, we support hospices in taking a compassionate and bespoke approach to visiting to allow those nearing the end of life to be with their loved ones.

The Scottish Government remains in regular communication with Scottish Hospices, through the auspices of the Scottish Hospices Leadership Group, to provide further advice and support as required.

The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing meets the Lord Advocate from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Since 2008 we have invested almost £895 million to tackle problem alcohol and drug use, including spending up to £95.3 million on alcohol and drugs in 2020-21.

Decisions on configuration of local services, including residential rehabilitation, as well as the level of resource, funding allocated and referral to them are made locally by Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships.

The First Minister has made a commitment to make a statement to Parliament in January where she will be laying down a step change in our approach to do things differently, this will include our approach to residential rehabilitation.

This data is not held centrally but should be held by relevant health boards.

We will respond to each recommendation of the Residential Rehabilitation Working Group in the New Year. This will include setting out plans to substantially increase the provision of residential treatment in the short term and looking deeper into need, demand and capacity for residential treatment for those with substance use issues.