Scottish National Party MSP for Almond Valley
Integration authorities, which include representatives of NHS boards and local authorities, are responsible for the strategic planning and investment in the delivery of integrated adult health and social care services in their areas. Therefore, integration authorities and not ministers are responsible for how they take account of planned housing growth when assessing future demand for general...
Public Health Scotland is currently working on revised guidance and an associated data set to support integration authorities and partners to improve population needs assessment to plan service provision. However, as I stated, it is for integration authorities, using their knowledge of their areas and circumstances, to take account of how data on housing consents can be used more consistently...
I am happy to discuss the matter further with Mr Briggs. I believe that we have a meeting arranged in the not-too-distant future. I am aware that a number of factors underpin NRAC funding, just as I am aware of the population growth across the Lothians region, not least in my constituency. Careful consideration must be given to the fact that any changes would not necessarily have...
As I said in my answer to Lloyd Melville, health boards and local authorities have clear responsibilities with regard to planning. However, I will look at the detail of and give further consideration to Mr Ahmed’s specific ask.
Health and social care workforce planning and service delivery are the responsibility of the health board, the integration joint board and the local authority. However, we remain committed to working with island communities to strengthen the resilience of health and social care services. The service renewal framework highlights the challenges of increasing demand and the opportunities of...
I am very conscious that the differing landscapes of Scotland’s communities deepen some of the challenges, not least in and around adult social care. As I intimated, my officials have had discussions with Stephen Brown, the chief officer of the Orkney integration joint board, in which a range of challenges were discussed. I know that the vacancy rate in Orkney is higher than the national...
We recognise the significant impact that ME and long Covid can have on the lives of those who are affected. We are providing £4.5 million of recurrent funding to national health service boards to support them to deliver specialist support for long Covid, ME and similar conditions. For example, in the member’s region, the funding is supporting the delivery of NHS Forth Valley’s...
I am always happy to meet stakeholders to discuss specifics. I am also aware that the member spoke of the impact of ME during her first speech in the Parliament. One of the benefits of providing recurring resource is that it enables health boards to develop sustainable support and also helps with the retention and recruitment of skilled staff. The former Minister for...
