Tag: COVID-19 Recovery Committee

Dentistry: COVID impact on scale unseen in any other part of NHS

The British Dental Association has warned MSPs the pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on NHS dentistry, that leaves the service facing an existential threat. 

As the professional body prepares to give evidence to the COVID-19 Recovery Committee inquiry into NHS dentistry today (22 June 2023), it has published new analysis showing the scale of the backlogs.

Initially closed to routine care, and then facing exacting Infection and prevention control guidelines that reduced patient throughput, lost capacity on the high street exceeds general medical practice and secondary care, resulting in backlogs that will take many years to clear:

  • Dentistry has lost over half (52%) of its capacity since lockdown, when comparing examinations delivered since March 2020 with typical levels pre-COVID.
  • For GPs, that figure is just over 30% (when looking at lost face-to-face appointments). It is just over 6% for hospital outpatients and in terms of volume, inpatient care appears to have already recovered lost ground.
  • By any measure captured in official data, whether it is examinations or Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) activity claims, Scotland has lost more than a year’s worth of NHS dentistry.
  • Ongoing access problems are fuelling backlogs, with patients presenting with higher levels of clinical need. In recent BDA surveys over two thirds (67%) of dentists cite higher needs patients requiring more clinical time as a key issue on return to ‘full’ capacity. The only comparable problems are those concerning recruitment and retention of dentists (61%).

Dentist leaders say it will be impossible to restore pre-pandemic activity without radical change. The low margin/high volume model the service works to was incompatible with working through the pandemic and cannot form the basis for a meaningful or sustainable recovery.

This leaves the service at a crossroads: with a contract that is unfit for purpose, underfunded, overstretched and facing the challenge of deep and widening oral health inequalities. BDA Scotland fear that an exodus of dentists from the     NHS is already in motion. This shift is going unseen in official data, that counts heads not the amount of NHS work dentists do. These workforce statistics give an NHS full-timer the same weight as a dentist doing one NHS check-up a year.

Recent BDA surveys indicate only 1 in 5 (21%) of practices have returned to pre-COVID-19 capacity. The professional body say hard limits on restoring capacity, and the existential threats to NHS dental services require a proportionate response from the Scottish Government.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “COVID hit dentistry like no other part of the NHS in Scotland.  

“We’re not asking for special treatment, just a proportionate response. One that recognises the scale of the backlogs and the existential threat to this service.

“NHS dentists are already walking away from a broken system. There can be no recovery without reform.”

Holyrood Committee to drill down on Scotland’s NHS dentistry recovery

The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee has launched a new survey of Scotland’s dentists as part of a snapshot inquiry examining the recovery of NHS dentistry services.

The inquiry will track progress by the Scottish Government on the aims set out in the NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026, which includes a commitment to return Scotland’s NHS dentistry services to pre-pandemic levels.

Dentists who provide NHS services are being invited to share their views and experiences on the recovery of services through an on-line survey which runs from Friday 5th May to Wednesday 31st May.

The inquiry will also consider the impact of additional funding for equipment and ventilation in NHS dentistry practices and the availability of access to services in communities experiencing health inequalities.

Commenting, Committee Convener, Jim Fairlie MSP said: “The COVID-19 Recovery Committee want to get the root of the issues facing Scotland’s NHS dental recovery in the wake of the pandemic.

“This inquiry will scrutinise the Scottish Government’s commitment to improve the provision of dental services as set out in the Recovery Plan.

“Scotland’s NHS dentists, who work daily on the front-line, are best placed to tell us how services are recovering, and we are encouraging them to share their experiences and views directly with Committee to inform our scrutiny and assist us in tracking progress towards recovery.”

Long COVID: Committee report urges Scottish Government to address stigma and improve awareness

HOLYROOD’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee has published its report on Long COVID and post-COVID syndrome, urging the Scottish Government to take action to address the stigma surrounding the condition and improve awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.

The inquiry focussed on the awareness and recognition, therapy and rehabilitation, and study and research linked to Long COVID, with the Committee noting “concern” in their findings over reports of patients being unable to get the correct diagnosis and the lack of treatment for common conditions associated with the condition.

The Committee said it was “deeply saddened” to learn about the stigma faced by those with lived and living experience of Long COVID, and the report highlights the impact that the lack of awareness and recognition of Long COVID can have on those with the condition.

The Committee also recommended the Scottish Government:

Works with the National Strategic Network and health boards to establish a single point of contact for Long COVID patients in every health board and develops standardised guidance.

  • In partnership with the National Strategic Network, provide a leadership role in reviewing the best practice of Long COVID clinics and evaluate whether they may be an appropriate development in Scotland.
  • Implement a public health campaign to raise awareness of long COVID and the impact it can have on individuals’ health and wellbeing.
  • Reviews the current booster vaccination publicity strategy to reduce apathy and encourage uptake.
  • Supports improving the integration of health boards and the third sector to provide self-management services for Long COVID.

Throughout the four-month inquiry, the Committee took evidence from a broad range of academics, clinicians and those living with Long COVID about the complex nature of the symptoms and the apparent lack of any lessons being learned from other chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS.

The Committee also made calls for more data on the prevalence of Long COVID to be gathered and noted the impact that incorrect coding of the condition can have on the accuracy of data, alongside encouraging improved use of data deployment into clinical practice.

Commenting, Committee Convener, Jim Fairlie MSP said: “The report sets out the urgent need for the Scottish Government to take action to address the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding Long COVID and to improve the diagnosis and treatment for individuals living with this condition.

“Throughout the inquiry we’ve been deeply saddened and concerned to hear of the stigma being faced by those with lived and living experience of Long COVID and the impact this lack of awareness can have on people’s mental health and wellbeing, their educational and employment opportunities and their overall quality of life.

“We’ve now made several recommendations including establishing a single point of contact in health boards, increased leadership by the Scottish Government in assessing the effectiveness of Long-COVID clinics, raising awareness and understanding of the condition and making better use of health data.

“The recommendations made in our report must now be acted on to ensure that the stigma associated with long COVID is addressed, enabling those suffering from the condition to receive the recognition and support they both need and deserve.

“The Committee also wants to, once again, thank all of those who participated in the inquiry and recognise in particular the input from those with experience of the condition, whose evidence helped shape this inquiry from the outset and these recommendations to the Scottish Government.”  

The report is available online

Holyrood report: Employers should invest in mental wellbeing services and flexible working policies

Mental health and chronic pain are having the most significant impact on economic inactivity rates in Scotland, according to a new report from the Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee.

The report considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Scotland’s labour market, looking specifically at long-term illness and early retirement as drivers of economic inactivity.

The Committee found that although the pandemic has not significantly impacted economic inactivity in Scotland, it has clearly highlighted the extent to which a healthy working-age population is required to sustain a healthy economy.

The Committee heard that implementing remote and/or flexible working practices may improve employees’ wellbeing, bring more people into the labour market, including disabled people and people with chronic or mental illness, and support older workers to remain in the labour market for longer.

However, evidence from employers highlighted that many employers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, require additional support to implement flexible working and improve reasonable adjustment policies.

The report expresses disappointment that due to budgetary pressures, the Scottish Government’s plans for a ‘Centre for Workplace Transformation’, which would seek to embed some of the learning gained from the pandemic, was not delivered on target in 2022.

Additionally, the Committee noted that best practice from wrap-around employability services, like the Fair Start Scotland programme, which provides tailored support to get working-aged people who are disengaged from the labour market back into employment, should be shared across all of Scotland’s local authorities.

Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee, Siobhian Brown MSP, said: “Whilst our report found the pandemic has not had a significant impact on economic inactivity levels, issues such as poor mental health and chronic illnesses, are part of the complex challenges to Scotland’s economic and social recovery from COVID-19.

“Increased partnership working between the Scottish Government and employers to support investment in employees’ wellbeing and embedding post-pandemic opportunities for flexible working is crucial to supporting more people into the labour market.

“Remote and flexible working practices could also support more disabled people and those living with chronic health or mental health conditions into the workforce, whilst also enabling older people to stay in the labour market for longer.

“It’s important that as a priority, the Scottish Government sets out what additional support it is providing for employers to develop practical resources to support the adoption of flexible working policies and share best practice, which are vital to improving Scotland’s economic activity levels.”

ROAD-TO-RECOVERY-reportDownload

Committee calls for clarity on Scottish Government Covid Recovery Funding

The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee has called on the Scottish Government to clarify whether the cost crisis will affect the funding of Scotland’s Covid Recovery Strategy.

Following pre-budget scrutiny of how the Scottish Government plans to fund its Covid Recovery Strategy and the ongoing costs associated with the pandemic, the Committee have written to John Swinney MSP, Cabinet   Secretary for Covid Recovery, asking for the Committee’s views to be considered when preparing the budget.

The impact of the cost crisis was highlighted during the Committee’s evidence sessions, including concerns from witnesses over how this could affect the funding and delivery of the Covid Recovery Strategy, with some saying the crisis will pose more significant challenges for organisations, service providers and individuals than even those faced during the pandemic.

The Covid Recovery Strategy was published in October 2021, before the scale of the emerging cost-of-living crisis was apparent.

The Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for recovery, focusing on efforts to tackle inequality and disadvantage arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and states that progress towards public service reform and a well-being economy is necessary to tackle these inequalities.

Commenting, Siobhian Brown MSP, Convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee, said: “During our pre-budget scrutiny, we heard that the Scottish Government’s budget is approximately £1.7 billion less than it was worth in December 2021 due to inflationary pressures.

“The Committee, therefore, are seeking clarity on how this will impact the Scottish Government’s priorities and ability to deliver the outcomes as set out in the Covid Recovery Strategy and whether it intends to refresh the strategy to reflect any policy changes in light of the cost-of-living crisis.

“As the budget doesn’t commit to specific spending on COVID-19 or Covid Recovery, it’s important that there is greater clarity provided on how much funding the Scottish Government intends to commit to achieving the outcomes identified in its Covid Recovery Strategy within the upcoming budget.”

Read the Committee’s letter to @JohnSwinney from the Convener, @Siobhianayr

⤵️

http://ow.ly/jCAE50LnIfs

The Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny also set out the evidence gathered on costs associated with the Strategic Framework.

These included future pandemic preparedness, vaccinations, testing and surveillance, personal protective equipment, monitoring Covid-19 recovery and Scottish Government progress towards developing a well-being economy. 

Consultation: What impact has COVID-19 had on the Scottish labour market?

The COVID-19 Recovery Committee is to analyse the impact of the pandemic on the Scottish labour market, including how long Covid, long-term sickness and early retirement is affecting the number of those in work.

Submit your views – Road to recovery: impact of the pandemic on the Scottish labour market

As the country starts the process of recovery from the pandemic, a key issue that has emerged is a persistently high number of people no longer part of the workforce, termed ‘economically inactive’. 

A blog by the Fraser of Allander Institute concluded in April 2022 that: “More worrying for the outlook for the Scottish labour market is the fact that we now have over 20,000 more people economically inactive because of long-term sickness than we had pre-pandemic.”

The Committee will investigate the reasons behind these high numbers, including the emergence of above average numbers of long-term sick.

They want to understand if this is this due to pre-existing conditions, or new conditions, such as long COVID, or other factors, such as stress brought on by pandemic experiences. The Committee will also look at whether early retirement is one of the drivers behind this change in the labour market.

COVID-19 Recovery Committee Convener Siobhian Brown MSP said: “Unlike previous economic shocks, where the labour force numbers recovered much more quickly, we are seeing concerning persistent numbers of long term economically inactive people.

“We want to find out why this has happened and what needs to be done to encourage these people back into the work place.

“We are keen to learn more about the labour market impact of the pandemic on people with pre-existing health conditions, what influenced people to take early retirement and whether specific groups of society or areas of the country have been impacted more than others.

“There is no doubt that the reasons behind this will be complex but in order to address this issue we must first understand why people are no longer working.”  

Let the Committee know your views:

Road to recovery: impact of the pandemic on the Scottish labour market

The call for views closes on 9 September.

MSPs seek views on COVID recovery

A call for views into the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill has been launched by several Scottish Parliament Committees. 

The wide-ranging Scottish Government Bill, seeks to make permanent some of the temporary, emergency legislation introduced during the pandemic, and to extend others, which are due to expire by March 2022.

The Bill covers a number of policy areas including alcohol licensing, bankruptcy, justice, education (closing establishments and continuity of education), freedom of information, and vaccinations and immunisations.

Some key proposals outlined in the Bill include:

• maintaining provisions in the UK Coronavirus Act that enable Scottish Ministers to enact measures via public health regulations for any future public health threats, in line with powers that are already in place in England and Wales;

• maintaining provisions that grant Scottish Ministers power to restrict access to educational establishments on public health grounds;

• maintaining pre-eviction protocols relating to rent arrears in the private rented sector, placing more responsibility on landlords to ensure correct procedures are followed and that tenants are fully informed of their rights;

• allowing extended time-limits for criminal proceedings to temporarily remain in place to help the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service manage the backlog of cases arising from COVID-19; and allowing cases to continue to be heard through digital and physical means.

Four Parliament Committees will analyse the Bill. The COVID-19 Recovery Committee is the lead Committee scrutinising the Bill; while the Criminal Justice Committee will consider the justice policy measures; the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will consider the tenancy and eviction policy measures; and the Education, Children and Young People Committee will look into education related provisions. 


Speaking as the inquiry was launched, Siobhian Brown MSP (above), Convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee, said: “This pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of our lives, from restrictions on how we live, to mass vaccinations and significant changes in how public services are delivered.

“The threat of COVID-19 meant a great number of temporary, emergency legislatives measure were introduced at speed, but with these measures due to expire in March 2022, the time is now to decide which of these in the Bill should be put in place permanently.

“We recognise the size and scope of this Bill mean a diverse range of people and organisations may wish to comment on it. That’s why respondents will have the option to complete a short survey, where they can give their views on a specific aspect of the Bill, or a longer form, more detailed option is also available.”

“The Scottish Government’s stated aim for the Bill is to support Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic but we want to make sure it does not go too far, and that any changes which are made permanent act to benefit the people of Scotland and ease pressure on the public services we all rely on.”


The Convener continued: “Given the wide-ranging nature of this proposed legislation, the Parliament was keen to ensure it was given an appropriate level of scrutiny.

“That’s why we are bringing several Committees together, who will work collaboratively and use their specific areas of expertise in order to assess the impact of this Bill as effectively as possible.”

Members of the public who wish to respond to our consultation can do so here: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/covid19/recovery-bill-survey

Stakeholder organisations can give us their views here: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/covid19/recovery-bill-detailed

The call for views closes on 25 February 2022.

Covid-19: Holyrood Committee launches inquiry into rise in number of excess deaths

An inquiry into the cause of increased excess deaths in Scotland since the start of the pandemic has been launched by the COVID-19 Recovery Committee.

Recent data published by the Scottish Government shows deaths in Scotland are 11% above the average for this time of year and have been above the average for the last 26 weeks. The Committee will investigate whether this rise in deaths is being caused by COVID-19 directly, or the indirect health effects of the pandemic.

The Committee is seeking views on the following questions:

• Has the public health emergency shifted from COVID-19 deaths to deaths from non-COVID-19 conditions?
• Is there evidence that patients are now presenting with greater acuity?
• What accounts for the deaths from non-COVID-19 conditions?
• Is there enough of a strategic focus on the indirect health impacts of the pandemic?
• What are the realistic options open to the government in addressing the indirect health impact of the virus in winter 2021/22?

Speaking as the inquiry was launched, Siobhian Brown MSP, Convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee said: “The latest data released by the Scottish Government shows an alarming rise in the number of excess deaths since the start of the pandemic.

“Recent media reports suggest the pandemic has led to delays and decreases in the number of patients being diagnosed with illnesses, such as cancers, which can negatively impact the efficacy of treatment.

“We are keen to learn more about the indirect health impacts of the pandemic and whether the public health emergency has shifted from COVID-19 deaths to deaths from non-COVID-19 conditions.

“Every death is a tragedy, whether caused by COVID-19 or not, and it is essential that we establish the root causes of these deaths and find out what has led to this spike in the number of lives being lost.”

Let the Committee know your views here: 

https://yourviews.parliament.scot/covid19/excess-deaths-covid19-pandemic