Tag: Scottish Government

Audit Scotland: Clear vision needed for health and social care

The Scottish Government needs to develop a clear national strategy for health and social care to address the pressures on services.

Significant changes are needed to ensure the financial sustainability of Scotland’s health service. Growing demand, operational challenges and increasing costs have added to the financial pressures the NHS was already facing. Its longer-term affordability is at risk without reform.

Activity in hospitals and other secondary care settings has increased in the last year, but it remains below pre-pandemic levels and is being outpaced by demand. This pressure is creating operational challenges throughout the whole system and impacting staff, patient experience and patient safety.

There are a range of strategies, plans and policies in place for the future delivery of healthcare, but no overall vision. The absence of a shared national vision, and a clear strategy to deliver it, makes it more difficult for NHS boards to plan for change.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Without change, there is a risk Scotland’s NHS will take up an ever-growing chunk of the Scottish budget. And that means less money for other vital public services.

“To deliver effective reform the Scottish Government needs to lead on the development of a clear national strategy for health and social care.

“It should include investment in measures that address the causes of ill-health, reducing long-term demand on the NHS. And it should put patients at the centre of future services.”

Responding to the Auditor General’s report on the state of Health and Social Care in Scotland Dr JP Loughrey, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland, said: “We welcome this report which addresses many of our recent and ongoing concerns – particularly around a lack of long-term planning and poor Emergency Department performance.

“The Scottish government must do more to address capacity and demand pressures. Hospitals are dangerously overcrowded and do not have the space, staff, or resources to provide safe and timely care for the number of patients who need it.  

“There needs to be long term strategies to maintain an adequate baseline in capacity and staffing, and deal with predictable surges in pressure.

“As we have seen time and time again across Scotland, there are simply not enough beds to meet demand and our hospitals are routinely almost fit to burst, with patients enduring long, undignified waits and demoralised staff forced to deliver treatment in inappropriate areas, such as corridors and car parks.  

“We urge the government to move away from short-term firefighting towards long term fundamental change to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare in Scotland.”

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NHS dentistry in Scotland: SNP can’t pretend it’s “Mission Accomplished”

The British Dental Association has said there can be no complacency from the Scottish Government on the crisis in NHS dentistry, following yesterday’s debate in the Scottish Parliament, in which MSPs raised the heart-breaking case of a single mother going without food to pay for care, with others travelling hundreds of miles for access or embarking on ‘DIY’ dentistry. 

The BDA’s own recent surveys found 83% of dentist respondents in Scotland had treated patients that had performed some form of DIY dentistry since lockdown.

Some reforms to the discredited small margin/high volume system NHS dentists work to were rolled out in November 2023. This system has been in crisis for a generation but proved undeliverable during the pandemic. Facing soaring costs, some practices were left delivering some NHS treatments at a financial loss.

The BDA had been seeking a decisive break from this system, and a move to a patient-centred, prevention-focused model of care. The Scottish Government refused to break with the overall framework.

The BDA stress that this must be the beginning, not the end of the road for reform, and that access, outcomes and inequalities need to be closely monitored.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “MSPs and patients across Scotland have sent a clear message: the Scottish Government cannot pretend it’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ on NHS dentistry.

“Recent reforms may ease problems, but Ministers can’t afford to take their eyes off the crisis in this service.”

Help with funeral costs

Eligible people urged to apply for Funeral Support Payment

The cost of paying for a funeral can cause extra strain for many people at what is a difficult time.

Funeral Support Payment provides eligible people with financial support to help pay for a partner, child, parent or sibling’s funeral.

The payment is available to people who receive Universal Credit, tax credits and certain benefits and are responsible for paying for a funeral.

It can be paid either to parents and families, or the funeral director who is helping to plan the funeral.

People can apply any time after the person has died until six months after the date of the funeral, and are being urged to check if they are eligible and get the help they are entitled to.

The average payment in the 2023/24 financial year to date was £1,949, and the money can be used towards burial or cremation costs and other expenses such as funeral director’s fees, a coffin or flowers.

Since launching Funeral Support Payment in September 2019, Social Security Scotland has received over 34,000 applications, providing £41.7 million of support for people and families.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “When families are struggling to deal with a bereavement, the last thing they need, particularly during this cost of living crisis, is to face the added worry of paying for the costs of a funeral. We also want to do all we can to prevent those who are dealing with grief getting into debt.

“Making sure that everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to is a basic step in putting dignity and respect at the heart of social security in Scotland.

“I would encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify for Funeral Support Payment to find out more and apply, and to remember that people can apply up to six months after the funeral of their family member, friend, or loved one.”

James Blackburn, Head of Funerals at Scotmid Funerals, said: “We encourage the bereaved families that we care for to apply if they think they are eligible for Funeral Support Payment.

“We are delighted to work with Social Security Scotland to make sure that more people are aware of this support and that they apply for it. Through our funeral teams, website and our literature we signpost people to find out more and support them to apply.”

  • Funeral Support Payment helps pay towards funeral costs if you live in Scotland. The payment can be used towards funeral costs for a baby, child or adult. This includes babies who were stillborn
  • People can apply for support up to six months after the date of their loved one’s funeral
  • Those eligible for the Funeral Support Payment must be living in Scotland, be financially responsible for the funeral and be on a qualifying benefit or tax credit
  • In Scotland, local authorities cover the burial or cremation costs for a baby, child or young person aged 17 or under
  • People can choose to apply online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland’s specially trained bereavement team free on 0800 182 2222
  • More information can be found online at https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/

XL Bully dog safeguards come into force this Friday

Deadline approaches for new rules in Scotland

XL Bully dog owners are being urged to prepare for new rules which are expected to come into force on Friday.

New laws laid for consideration in Parliament will make it illegal to sell, advertise, gift or exchange XL Bully dogs, or letting such dogs stray. XL Bully dog owners will also be required to ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead while in a public place.

This is the first stage of safeguards being introduced. The second stage will mean from 1 August 2024 it will be an offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate. Full details on the exemption applications process and the support available will be announced in the coming weeks.  

Minister for Victims & Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: “With new safeguards for XL Bully dogs coming into force in just a few days it’s vital that owners get ready and prepare from them now.

“Whilst dog attacks remain a rare occurrence, where they do occur, they can have devastating consequences which is why safeguards must be introduced. We are doing so whilst ensuring we promote and support responsible ownership, and public safety as effectively as possible.

“The new regulations aim to protect public safety and are being introduced as a consequence of similar XL Bully controls brought in by the UK Government, which created an unacceptable risk of dogs being moved to Scotland from England and Wales.”

A teenage girl has been reported to the procurator fiscal after an XL bully-type dog injured three people and another dog in East Kilbride at the weekend .

Police shot dead the “dangerously out of control” bulldog-type dog after it attacked a collie on Sunday morning.

Scottish Government: Year-long financial support for undergraduates

Higher education students can apply to spread their student financial support package over a 12-month period for the first time this coming academic year.

The year-long package of support will be available for eligible undergraduate students from August 2024. The change will ensure that payments of relevant student loans and bursaries can continue through the summer months. This follows a successful two-year programme, which saw care experienced students being given the option of 12-month support.

Care-Experienced students will continue to receive additional support for their living costs under the Summer Accommodation Grant from Summer 2024. Students eligible for the grant – which will replace the Care-Experienced Accommodation Grant – will be entitled to a payment of up to £1,330 to help ensure they do not fall into rent arrears over the summer.

These changes will coincide with the £2,400 increase to the annual support package, which sees the main undergraduate funding package rise up to £11,400.

Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “The summer months can be a difficult period for learners when their payments stop – these changes will ensure that learners can access the vital funds they need the whole year round.

“This is another example of the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to support students through the cost of living crisis. Scotland already has the lowest student debt levels in the UK, which is thanks to our commitment to free tuition and our enhanced student support offering.

“We are already seeing a record number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas applying to study at university. The changes made to the student support package will help to further break down barriers and ensure that access to our world-class institutions is not denied to anyone, whatever their background.”

Students can continue to apply for the nine-month support package when they apply through SAAS for the 2024-25 academic year.

Scottish Government launches plan to address Depopulation

Steps to address depopulation and help future-proof communities

A wide-ranging plan to strengthen communities facing population decline, including funding for local-led research, initiatives, and community support has been published.

Projections show that Scotland’s population is set to fall from 2033, with fourteen local authority areas projected to experience population decline over the next decade. The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan will set out the Scottish Government’s strategy to support people to live, work and raise families in the places affected – many of which are rural and island areas.

A £180,000 Addressing Depopulation Fund will initially help three acutely affected local authorities trial ways of retaining and attracting people to their communities. The projects to receive funds will be announced later this year.

Part-funding has been provided this financial year by the Scottish Government for Community Settlement Officers in Argyll & Bute, Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, enabling them to continue supporting people living in or moving to those areas. Part-funding for these roles has also been put forward for the next financial year, as well as support for a Community Settlement Officer to be established in Inverclyde. 

Dumfries and Galloway Council will receive £30,000 to research the causes of local population decline, to inform the development of future policy interventions.

Launching the plan at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, Migration Minister Emma Roddick said: “The factors that lead to depopulation are complex and interdependent, and every place is affected differently.

“This plan cuts right across government – in policy areas including housing, healthcare, transport and education – to help deliver solutions that address the needs of individual areas.

“Local leaders, councils and organisations are the people who know their communities best – that’s why this plan commits to channelling community expertise and backing a range of local-led initiatives. This will not only benefit the places leading these projects, but could also generate learnings that can be applied elsewhere.

“Bringing together new actions with a programme of ongoing government work, these steps will underpin our work to ensure every place in Scotland is equipped with the population it needs to thrive into the future.”

Addressing Depopulation Action Plan

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New Health Secretary meets frontline staff

Thousands of patients treated through virtual A&E service

New Health Secretary Neil Gray visited Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow to meet staff working to ensure patients get access to the right treatment as quickly as possible.

In his first visit as Health Secretary, Mr Gray met frontline staff in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Flow Navigation Centre (FNC) – a virtual A&E service which directs people to the most appropriate care and helps patient flow throughout hospital wards.

Figures published by NHS GGC show that of the 20,000 calls put through the virtual service last year, only 16% actually required referral to a physical A&E. The remainder were given appointments at minor injuries units, referred to other services or given advice that meant they did not need to attend hospital. Mr Gray also visited the hospital’s Major Trauma unit, one of four such units throughout Scotland.

Mr Gray said: “I was pleased to meet staff working in the Flow Navigation Centre and see first-hand how work is progressing with the hospital’s virtual A&E. The service plays a crucial role in directing people to the most appropriate care and is just one of the ways the NHS is modernising to meet the needs of the people of Scotland.

“By preventing unnecessary physical A&E attendances, patients can be better dealt with by other parts of the health service. This incredible work from the team at Glasgow is helping to reduce pressure on the front door of the emergency department, while ensuring people get the right treatment at the right time.

“I am clear that we need to see reform and innovation right across the health service and NHS GGC’s FNC is a perfect example of how we can improve productivity and also improve patient outcomes. Optimisation of Flow Navigation Centres is a key part of our Urgent and Unscheduled Care Programme which aims to improve patient flow and reduce A&E delays.”

Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “The virtual A&E is one of a number of virtual pathways which are helping our patients get seen and treated faster.

“While pressure on our hospital sites remains at an all-time high, enabling thousands of patients to be treated away from physical A&E departments has made a significant impact on the front-door at our hospitals and will continue to play a crucial role in the way we deliver healthcare going forward.

“We’d urge any patient who thinks they need to come to A&E to consider using this service, among other urgent care provisions such as pharmacies, GPs, and the NHS Inform website.”

Help tackling council tax debt

Pilot scheme will see councils and advice services work more closely together

Extra help for people struggling with council tax debt will be on offer in three local authority areas under a pilot scheme. 

The Scottish Government is providing Citizens Advice Scotland with £200,000 funding to better understand the reasons why some people end up in council tax arrears and to work collaboratively with local councils to help reduce and prevent council tax debt in future. 

Citizen’s Advice Bureaux in Renfrewshire, Clackmannanshire and the Scottish Borders will test different ways of working including: 

  • Providing targeted support to individuals facing council tax debt
  • Simplifying the referral processes between councils and advice services
  • Organising mutual training sessions for council and Citizens Advice staff

Housing Minister Paul McLennan visited Roxburgh and Berwickshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau to launch the project.  

Mr McLennan said: “We know many people are struggling in the cost of living crisis and that is why we are targeting resources at those most in need.

“Council tax debt is a significant issue, and one that particularly affects the most vulnerable. The three Bureaux involved in these pilots have established relationships with their local authorities. This funding will help build on those connections to help individuals tackle problem debt and also provide valuable learning on how public sector debt can best be managed. 

“Advice services are critical to Scotland’s communities, supporting people to understand their rights and entitlements, maximising incomes and helping to reduce poverty. This year we will invest more than £12.5 million in a range of advice services providing free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice.” 

Myles Fitt, Financial Health Strategic Lead at Citizens Advice Scotland said: “Council tax debt is the single biggest debt issue that clients bring to the CAB Service each year. The cost-of-living crisis is only worsening this problem, so we welcome the opportunity this funding provides to make a difference to peoples’ lives and financial well-being.

“Through working in partnership with councils, the three bureaux involved in this pilot will bring their deep insight into the factors and barriers that lie behind council tax debt to develop joint solutions that will help those in arrears now and in the future.”

Edinburgh primary school awarded grant to support diversity and inclusion project

Frogston Primary School in Edinburgh has been awarded a share of £200,000 to support a progressive diversity and inclusion project, as part of the 2023/24 School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).

Administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Fund supports creative and innovative projects within the school library sector in Scotland.

Available to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools with a library, this year’s funding priority was given to applications which focused on supporting anti-racism and racial equality.

The £200,000 2023/24 SLIF has been allocated to a total of 21 initiatives across 13 local authority areas in Scotland, including the ‘Holistic Inclusion Hub’ project in Edinburgh.

Frogston Primary School’s ‘Holistic Inclusion Hub’ aims to support parents from diverse backgrounds and pupils with additional needs to meet, talk, learn, and access resources in a safe space.

The project, in collaboration with Edinburgh Libraries, aims to break down barriers with those who feel alienated from the school community and find it difficult to access school – and wider – services through the established channels, such as parents from ethnically diverse backgrounds and refugees.

This brings the total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.7m over the lifetime of SLIF, playing an important role in helping school library services achieve the key aims of ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023’ – the strategic document for the development of school libraries in Scotland.

Congratulating the successful applicants, Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “School libraries play a key role in our efforts to further boost literacy and continue improving attainment, but they are also places where positive values can be developed and celebrated.

“Projects supported by this funding will help young people to understand the harmful consequences of racism and ensure they feel empowered to challenge discrimination.

“Scotland’s school libraries are a vital resource, and all children should have access to the opportunities they provide. This funding will help ensure that young people from all backgrounds feel the full benefits.”

Available to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools with a library, this year’s fund has been shared across 13 local authority areas, from Dumfries and Galloway to Aberdeen City. 

SLIC accepts up to two individual approaches per local authority and an unlimited number of collaborative applications to ensure equal opportunities across Scotland, with priority for the 2023/24 funding given to project applications focusing on supporting anti-racism and equality.

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of SLIC, said: “School libraries play a key role in accelerating education and learning, and ensuring every young person has the chance to fulfil their full potential by enabling access to information and creative opportunities.

“Each child, school and local authority is different, with differing priorities, and therefore funding programmes like SLIF help to improve and expand the tailored services school libraries can provide.  That’s why it’s great to see Scotland’s school library services being proactive with their approaches with strong applications coming in from schools eager to further develop these resources.

“We’re particularly proud to award support to those advocating for anti-racism and anti-discrimination through this year’s Fund, with many projects aiming to increase access and support for pupils who may experience barriers to learning, including those with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

“Involving children and young people, and their families, in defining the school library service creates a flexible space for reflection and conversation where learning and creativity are encouraged in a nurturing environment.  We look forward to seeing these initiatives come to life.”

For more information on The School Library Improvement Fund, visit: 

scottishlibraries.org/funding/the-school-library-improvement-fund/