This information is not centrally collected.

National Records of Scotland produce a weekly publication which includes figures for the number of deaths associated with COVID-19 that occurred in various settings, however deaths in hospices are not reported separately. Hospice deaths are included in the hospital statistics where the hospice resides in hospital grounds, or included in care home statistics where the hospice is situated in the community.

The most up to date NRS statistics related to Covid-19 deaths can be accessed via the following link: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/covid19stats

We are always looking to make more information relating to COVID-19 in Scotland publicly available, where appropriate. We need to be confident that data is accurate and robust, within legal guidelines and protecting people’s right to confidentiality.

In line with new statutory reporting requirements, the Care Inspectorate now provide a weekly report on the total number of death notifications they receive from adult care homes to the Scottish Government, which is laid before Parliament and also published on the Scottish Government website. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-additional-data-about-adult-care-homes-in-scotland/ .

Care services across Scotland are working tirelessly under very challenging circumstances. The Care Inspectorate works closely with care providers, health and social care partnerships, care industry leaders and the Scottish Government to ensure services get the support they need during the pandemic.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29039 on 25 June 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

We have funded Carers Scotland to run the Carer Positive scheme since it was launched in 2014. Information on the scheme, including Carer Positive employers are published on the Carer Positive website: http://www.carerpositive.org/

As of 16 June there are 194 Carer Positive employers in Scotland covering a total of 437,666 employees. This comprises 149 at the ‘engaged’ level, 27 at the ‘established level’ and 18 at the ‘exemplary level’.

On 18 June, the First Minister announced that we are able to move into Phase 2 of the route map. This saw adjustments to the number of households able to meet outdoors and those who are eligible, to form an extended household.

This now means that people from up to 3 different households will be able to meet outdoors. However, we are still advising no more than 8 in any group. This will allow children from up to three households to play together outdoors, with physical distancing.

We also announced changes that will allow the formation of an ‘extended household group’ with one other household. This will allow those who live alone (or those living only with children under the age of 18) to be connected to another household to provide mutual social support. Children within an extended household group will be able to play together without the need to stay 2 metres apart.

The criteria agreed by the four UK Chief Medical Officers to identify people at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19, did not include people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Clinicians and GPs have been using their clinical judgement to add individuals to the shielding list if they deem it clinically necessary. It is not possible to provide information on the exact reasons why individuals have been asked to shield within each specific shielding group as this is not recorded in the list of people who have been asked to shield. Anyone that has been advised to shield by NHS Scotland is eligible to receive delivery of free weekly grocery boxes or priority access to online supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have a network of support to assist with this.

For anyone in the increased risk group who is unable to access the essentials they need, and have no support available to do so, they should contact the national helpline on 0800 111 4000.

Guidance on support and information is available on the Scottish Government website here Coronavirus: Guidance on support, information, food and other essentials .

We expect GPs and Health and Social Care Partnerships to assess people's needs and provide care and support accordingly, including home visits, taking account of relevant national and clinical guidance for operation during COVID-19.

Our mental health and wellbeing response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be led by emerging evidence as it becomes available. The Mental Health Research Advisory Group has been established to follow research developments to understand the medium and long term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and will allow us to put evidence-based services and support in place to help meet the mental health needs of the population. Minutes from their meetings are published on the Scottish Government’s website.

A survey of the experiences of almost 13,000 shielded people carried out by Public Health Scotland, which closed on 14 June, will also inform our approach. A full report on the findings will be published later in the summer.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those living with respiratory conditions can access clinically appropriate, safe and effective person-centred healthcare treatment and support.

The draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland, currently out for consultation, contains a set of commitments to drive improvement in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of asthma, COPD, sleep apnoea, bronchiectasis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Although our efforts are currently concentrated on saving lives, we are constantly planning how our NHS can move forward after this crisis has passed. We are keen to capitalise on the gains we have made as we move to prioritise the resumption of health services across NHS Scotland and caring for those who need ongoing help after Covid-19 will be an important part of that.

As we continue to develop our understanding of the impact the virus has had on the health of the people of Scotland, including those that have developed long-term respiratory problems as a result of contracting the virus, the final Respiratory Care Action Plan will play a key role in responding to the implications and consequences for many aspects of respiratory care going forward, including pulmonary rehabilitation.

The Health and Safety Executive have published advice on the risk of Legionella in buildings which are closed or running with reduced occupancy during the COVID-19 crisis. This can be found on the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) website at https://rehis.com/story/legionella-risks-during-coronavirus-outbreak

One of our key priorities is to ensure that children and young people with additional support needs, including those arising from health or disability, who may be finding this difficult time particularly challenging, continue to be supported with their learning, whether at home or at a local hub.

We have published a range of guidance to support schools, local authorities and families during this time. This includes guidance for term 4 that gives an overview of the measures in place and steps being taken, at a national and local level, to support all children and young people’s learning, including those with additional support needs; and guidance to help local authorities, early learning centres and schools continue to support children and young people's learning during the coronavirus outbreak, including advice on the provision of blended learning for children and young people who need support.

Children and young people with additional support needs have been, and will continue to be, provided with bespoke learning activities from their schools and local authorities. Support and advice is also available for their parents and carers though our Parent Club website and from a range of partner organisations.

We are working closely with local authorities and other partners to ensure all children and young people continue to be supported with their learning and that their needs are fully considered as we look, and plan, ahead.