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Action 16 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 committed to fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health problems. Recruitment to the network has been completed and it is now operational.

In its review of current provision, the network will pay particular attention to pathways into care for women who may live some distance from an existing MBU and will make recommendations on improving access where difficulties emerge. Both existing MBUs have put in place online resources which provide information for the public and professionals on accessing MBU care and what to expect if an admission takes place.

The extension of free personal care to people under the age of 65 will benefit around 9000 people. We are working with local authorities on preparing for the implementation of the extension of Free Personal Care to under 65s by April 2019. This will involve local authorities assessing people’s needs, and where necessary, conducting financial assessments.

The Scottish Government has regular contact and discussion with NHS Boards covering matters relating to finance and performance. Details of engagements undertaken by Ministers since 2008 is available on the Scottish Government's website at the following addresses:

I wrote to the Health and Sport Committee on 16 November to provide an update on the Scottish Government’s progress on implementing the recommendations of the Montgomery Review of Access to New Medicines.

Since publication of the Montgomery Review in December 2016, we have been working closely with relevant partners, stakeholders, patient representatives, the third sector and the pharmaceutical industry to consider the most appropriate and effective way to take forward the recommendations.

Copies of the letter are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 59333)

The Scottish Care Homes Census published by ISD Scotland provides information on the number of registered Care Homes places in each local authority area in Scotland at

The number of registered Care Homes places for years 2006-2016 can be found in data table 3 published on 25th October 2016 and for years 2000-2005 in data table 3 published on 29 October 2013.

NHS Territorial Boards continue to make limited use of the independent and private sector for health care services. Total spend decreased from £78.5 million in 2015-16 to £72.0 million in 2016-17.

Spend by each Board for 2016-17 is set out in the following table. Figures for
2006-07 to 2015-16 were provided in response to question S5W-05822.

The Vaccination Transformation Programme will not mandate how Health Boards will deliver vaccinations in their area. Rather the programme will support Health Boards in implementing local delivery solutions that best suit them, their patients, and their geography. The solutions developed may involve establishing immunisation teams, contracting local GPs, or a combination thereof. As service providers, the local Health Board will ensure that the service they design provides best value for money.

The Vaccination Transformation Programme will support Health Boards to design local solutions to vaccination delivery. Health Boards will be able to make different arrangements in their areas to suit local circumstances. In some areas GPs may continue to deliver vaccination programmes through local agreements.

A core principle of the Vaccination Transformation Programme is that services will continue to be delivered to patients in a safe, sustainable and acceptable way. It will be a matter for Boards locally to determine whether or not any change in service provision will warrant consultation with the public, for example if there is a meaningful change in how patients access services, but in many cases this is not likely to be necessary.

In some parts of the country NHS Boards have already taken over responsibility for delivering vaccinations previously delivered by GPs, and all NHS Boards currently deliver school-based vaccinations.

In developing local approaches, individual GP practices will be consulted by their Health Boards at appropriate junctures.