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I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30134 on 20 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at '.

The Prescribing and Medicines: Dispenser Payments and Prescription Costs Analysis 2019 annual report, published on 23 July 2019 provides general data on opioids prescribed in 2018-19. This can be accessed via .

The Scottish Government has convened a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) to look at Prescription Medicine Dependence and Withdrawal. This SLWG is considering the findings of the Public Health England Prescribed Medicines Review in a Scottish context. We expect to report on the SLWG findings in the autumn and the recommendations will centred around the actions required to assists patients who are prescribed drugs known to have dependence effects, including opioid pain medication. Scottish Government is in the process of reviewing its “Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain – A Guide for Improvement” – this stresses the need to proactively review patients who have been prescribed opioids.

The government cannot designate whole workforces or entire groups of staff as key workers as the decisions on eligibility for key worker childcare are taken locally, in line with guidance published on the Scottish Government website.

Management information collected by the Chief Dental Officer indicates that as of 12 July 2020, 929 practices, from a total of 1024, had reopened. The majority of remaining practices have a confirmed date for reopening and practices are required to certify to their NHS Board that they are fully compliant with current guidance, which is delivered by NES through the ‘practice recovery toolkit’, before reopening. NHS Boards are working proactively with the small number of practices whose opening date is still outstanding.

Since 22 June 2020, compliance of wearing face coverings by passengers on public transport in Scotland has been high. Transport Scotland officials continue to work closely with operators across all travel modes to monitor and encourage appropriate passenger behaviours and compliance.

The powers are in place, through the legislation, for fixed penalty notices to be issued, if required, to enforce compliance.

Scotland’s college and universities remain welcoming and open places for staff and students from across the world. Staff and students will have to comply with guidance for residents or visitors travelling to the UK. Those travelling from a country not yet exempt from quarantine requirements should complete a passenger locator form and self-isolate for 14 days. These provisions will be reviewed on a 3 weekly basis. Students who are travelling to Scotland from overseas should check the Scottish Government website for the latest advice.

We have worked in partnership with universities, trade unions and student representatives to develop guidance (published 29 June) for universities, which sets out the measures institutions can take (including physical distancing) to operate safely. Universities and colleges are playing a vital role in communicating directly with, and supporting international students in relation to this and other matters throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Scottish Government has not issued any new guidance on the prescribing of opioids for pain relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scottish Government’s “Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain – A Guide for Improvement” covers the period 2018 – 2021 and Scottish Government is in the process of drafting an update, a process which includes discussion with and input from doctors’ representatives, patients and other health organisations.

Management information collected by the Chief Dental Officer indicates that as of 12 July 2020, 929 practices, from a total of 1024, had reopened. The majority of remaining practices have a confirmed date for reopening and practices are required to certify to their NHS Board that they are fully compliant with current guidance, which is delivered by NES through the ‘practice recovery toolkit’, before reopening. No NHS Board has informed SG that financial concerns are the reason for not having reopened.

The financial support measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of all patients and staff attending dental practices as they reopen remains the primary consideration and in taking a phased approach the government is seeking to balance the overall risk of infection with the needs of patients to be seen by dentists and ensure dental practices are funded appropriately throughout.

The overall budget for Public Dental Services for 2020-21 will be equivalent to 2019-20.

On 10 July, the Scottish Government published guidance for close contact services which applies to hairdressers and other personal retail services.

This guidance is based on a risk assessment process which business owners should use to identify which treatments and activities can be offered safely. This includes a comprehensive checklist to be used to implement safe working practices.