The Scottish Government introduced a fit and proper person test as part of the Mobile Home Site Licencing Scheme, set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and introduced in 2017. The fit and proper person test applies to all site licence holders, site owners and anyone directly managing a site.

The Scottish Government is mindful of the use of mesh in non-transvaginal settings. In February 2018, the then-Chief Medical Officer wrote to NHS Scotland Medical Directors about public interest in the use of mesh implants, including in hernia repair. Medical Directors were asked to ensure that clinicians offer patients all appropriate options for surgery, as well as the option of no surgery. In addition, the importance of shared decision making, informed consent and listening and acting upon patients’ concerns was noted.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) to produce two reports on the use of mesh in hernia repair; the first published in January 2020 and the second in December 2021 . These reports, based on current published evidence, support the continued use of mesh in a variety of abdominal wall and groin hernia subject to all the tenets of Realistic Medicine – ensuring shared decision making and informed consent with knowledge of the benefits, risks alternative measures and the possibility of doing nothing. The findings of the reports have been discussed with professional bodies, including the Royal Colleges and the British Hernia Society.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) wrote to the Board Chief Executives and Medical Directors in December 2021 to draw their attention to the SHTG report. In the letter, the CMO asked Health Boards to consider the availability of non-mesh surgery, how best to address skill gaps, if they exist, and the development of broader clinical networks for management of complex cases. The actions resulting from this will be discussed at a meeting of the Scottish Association of Medical Directors in August.

There is also work ongoing with regard to establishing a Medical Device Information System (MDIS) which will provide important surveillance and outcome information.

Treatment at the specialist service provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is targeted specifically at those who have experienced transvaginal mesh complications. This is in recognition of the painful and life changing side effects experienced by some women who have received transvaginal mesh implants. The creation of specialist centres of this nature was a recommendation of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, and the centre in Glasgow forms part of a network of similar centres in other parts of the UK.

I would strongly encourage anyone who suspects that their mesh implant is related to symptoms they are experiencing to contact their GP in the first instance, regardless of whether that is a transvaginal implant or another form of mesh. GPs act as a gateway to care provided by other parts of the NHS and can therefore ensure that patients can see the right person at the right place at the right time, in a safe, effective and efficient manner.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24134 on 18 July 2019.. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Autism and Learning Disability Team engages regularly with HSCP leads across Scotland on their strategic approaches and why it is so important for them to increase capacity for autism diagnostic services and to redesign services which are sustainable. We do this on an individual basis and also through the networks of Social Work Scotland.

HSCPs are aware of the actions identified in the current “Towards Transformation” plan for autism and learning disabilities. This includes action on post diagnostic support for adults and the piloting in 4 HSCP areas of a single adult neurodevelopmental pathway. We continue working with the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) who help build capacity and expertise, acting as a bridge between national strategy and its implementation at local level by providing a hub of professional autism support and information. The Scottish Government provide funding to a number of charities to provide post diagnostic support locally, linking with HSCP service leads.

HSCP leads are linked into our leadership and engagement framework in partnership with people with lived experience focusing on the topic of mental health. In addition, we will be working with HSCPs as we scope out the work towards a Bill to introduce a commissioner for Autism, learning disabilities and people with neurodivergence.

We have engaged extensively with people with neurological conditions, and organisations which represent them, throughout the development of Adult Disability Payment. Also, during the process of passing the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, it was decided that private sector health assessments would not take place in the devolved social security system. Social Security Scotland makes entitlement decisions based on the individual’s account of the impact of their disability or condition and other supporting information. This includes information from people’s wider support network, in order to understand the full range of needs someone with a neurological condition has over a period of time.

Social Security Scotland do not carry out any functional examinations because they do not provide reliable information, particularly in relation to neurological conditions as needs can fluctuate over time. Instead, consultations are a conversation between the practitioner and the client, starting from a position of trust.

Adult Disability Payment launched as a three phased pilot starting with new claims being accepted in a small number of local authorities from 21 March. Phases two and three of the pilot have been rolled out with new claims being accepted from additional local authority areas from 20 June and then 25 July ahead of the full national launch on 29 August.

(a) Social Security Scotland has proactively promoted Adult Disability Payment through national and local media activity, stakeholder communications, social media along with more direct targeted activity. Although media and social media activity has been carried out on a national basis, the more direct marketing has been targeted to areas where Adult Disability Payment is available. Targeted activity in pilot areas has included campaigns across radio, social media, digital and local press print adverts. We are taking learning from campaigns running in the pilot areas and will build on this insight when promoting the payment on a national level.

Awareness raising has also included the delivery of an extensive series of stakeholder engagement events to inform third sector and public sector stakeholders of the roll out of Adult Disability Payment. To support stakeholders a range of marketing materials including leaflets, posters and factsheets are available. Versions of these materials are available in different formats such as easy read, British Sign Language (BSL) and language translations.

(b) Plans are in place for media activity at national launch and continue targeted marketing activity throughout this financial year to drive take up and awareness. This activity will target people through TV, radio, print adverts, out of home advertising, online adverts and social media. Social Security Scotland will also continue to work closely with public sector services and third sector organisations to promote this payment.

People in Scotland with existing UK Government disability assistance awards (Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)) will not be asked to go through an application process again. They will be transferred automatically to Social Security Scotland and will receive written notification in advance of that happening so they know what to expect.

People will have their Disability Living Allowance award selected for transfer to Adult Disability Payment if they would otherwise be required to claim Personal Independence Payment. These will be individuals that were under 65 on 08 April 2013 and, after 29 August 2022, report a relevant change of circumstances, are due to have their award renewed, or that ask to have their award transferred.

We estimate that approximately 3,000 people in Scotland could see their Disability Living Allowance awards transferred to Adult Disability Payment between 29 August 2022 and 29 August 2023.

As of 19 July 2022 we had issued 79 letters to people receiving Personal Independence Payment to let them know the transfer of their award to Adult Disability Payment has begun. These cases were selected as part of our small Personal Independence Payment to Adult Disability Payment pilot. Once Adult Disability Payment launches nationally on 29 August, we will begin selecting large numbers of Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment awards for transfer.

We have also developed and are delivering a strategic communication and engagement plan for case transfer. This includes a series of stakeholder roadshows to key stakeholders as well as stakeholder newsletters. We have also included case transfer messaging in our Adult Disability Payment communications such as media releases, opinion pieces, social media posts on Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland channels and paid for marketing campaigns that have run in the pilot areas. Paid for activity has covered radio, social media, digital and print. We will continue implementing this communication and engagement plan as the case transfer process continues.

Case transfer is a joint programme between the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions. We aim to have safely and securely transferred the awards of everyone living in Scotland in receipt of devolved disability and carer benefits currently delivered by the Department of Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland by the end of 2025.

From 29 August 2022, adults in Scotland in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will have their awards moved to Adult Disability Payment if they would otherwise have been asked by the Department for Work and Pensions to apply for Personal Independence Payment. Final policy is still being developed on moving the awards of all other adults currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.