I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. 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-01336 on 29 July 2016. 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-01336 on 29 July 2016. 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

In total there have been five tobacco banning orders in the five years since the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 has been introduced.

In 2012–2013 one banning order was issued to a retailer who persistently sold illicit and counterfeit tobacco. In 2013–2014 two banning orders were issued to two different retailers who had sold packets of cigarettes to persons under 18 years old. In 2014–2015 one banning order was issued to a retailer who had sold tobacco to a person under 18 years old. In 2015–2016 one banning order was issued to a retailer selling tobacco in a premises which was not registered.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. 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

This Government is committed to reviewing the number, structure and regulation of both territorial and special health boards and their relationships with local councils. The detail of this work has yet to be finalised but will be subject to engagement with Parliament and broader consultation.

We need to create an NHS Board structure that reflects the new health and social care landscape and which better supports the provision of excellent hospital and specialist care for Scotland’s population. That means a structure that will lead NHSScotland forward while ensuring the focus is on patients rather than on structures and bureaucracy and which maximises the opportunities for a ‘Once for Scotland’ where that creates efficiencies and reduces duplication.

The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices.

Since 2011 the Scottish Government has invested £28.5 million in local authorities to support system and culture change, with a further £3.52 million committed for the financial year 2016-17. We continue to work with local authorities directly and through COSLA to support them to implement self-directed support in line with the legislation and in the spirit of the guidance.

<>Local authorities have a duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess a person’s care needs. The statutory guidance accompanying the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 makes it clear that any assessment, communication or provision of support must be made in accordance with the statutory principles and values: participation, dignity, involvement, informed choice, and collaboration and respect a person's human rights.

The Scottish Government would always expect social care assessments to be carried out as timeously as possible. For those who are assessed as being at critical or substantial risk there is a maximum waiting time of six weeks, from confirmation of need to the delivery of free personal and nursing care services.

The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices.

The statutory guidance accompanying the Act makes it clear that any assessment, communication or provision of support must be made in accordance with the statutory principles and values: participation, dignity, involvement, informed choice, and collaboration and respect a person's human rights.

<>The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices. This includes the option of a direct payment. The statutory guidance that accompanies the Act states all options must be described in full.

Under the Direct Payment Regulations 2014 the only circumstance where the authority is not permitted to offer a direct payment is in relation to the provision of long-term residential or nursing care to persons of any age.

The local authority can use a ‘duty of care’ discretion whereby they are not required to offer the option of a direct payment where it is likely that the making of a direct payment will put the safety of the supported person at risk.