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Last year we published a National Framework 'Neurological Care and Support in Scotland 2020-2025' that sets out an overview of current provision informed by lived experience engagement nationally with 17 commitments across five aims detailing how we will work with stakeholders and partners to drive improvement in health and social care from diagnosis to anticipatory care planning needs. Further information is available at

This National Framework builds on support already available to NHS Boards through the Specialist Nursing and Care Fund that invests £2.4 million annually to enhance the specialist nursing care for people living with a range of conditions across the life spectrum and across hospital and community settings. As of May 2017, reports from NHS boards show that specialist nursing capacity had been enhanced through the additional investment by 31.4 whole time equivalents (WTE).

We are committed to ensuring people receive the correct information about the level of risk to them if they become infected by COVID-19 and what actions they should take to protect themselves if they are classed as at the highest risk of severe illness from the virus. We have published advice for people with long-term health conditions, including neurological conditions, at: . The guidance has been widely circulated to clinicians, organisations supporting people with neurological conditions, including Epilepsy Scotland, for them to disseminate through their networks.

We have been clear that patient safety remains the utmost priority and NHS Scotland continues to deal with urgent non-Covid related referrals as well as providing on-going essential care provision. NHS Boards have mobilised their activity including protecting critical neurological services and establishing mechanisms to support their local population including the use of telephone and video consultations to minimise face to face contact unless absolutely necessary.

The Chief Nursing Officer in Scotland has also written to NHS Board Nurse Directors to ensure they prioritise community support for the most vulnerable people to enable them to manage their conditions and remain in their own homes.

We continue to work with NHS Boards and Integrated Joint Boards alongside the wider neurological community to understand and address the emerging implications from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The data for epilepsy referral and treatment waiting times are reported within the wider Neurology speciality. The most recent published data for the quarter ending 31 December 2019 is available from the Public Health Scotland website at: . The data for the quarter ending 31 March 2020 will not be published until 26 May 2020.

We have been clear that throughout this unprecedented and difficult time that vital services will remain in line with clinical priority and that some scheduled non-urgent procedures and care will be postponed to ensure other, seriously ill people can be treated and cared for. We expect NHS Boards to reschedule appointments as soon as clinically appropriate or advise of alternative arrangements where possible to minimise physical contact, including the use of telephone and video consultations facilities.

The most recent published data for the number of neurology consultants by NHS board can be found from the Public Health Scotland website at: The data for specialist epilepsy consultants is not reported separately within the Neurology speciality.

Our Neurological Framework for Action recognises that building a sustainable neurological workforce fit for the future is a priority. The Framework includes specific commitments around improving workforce, looking to improve workforce data to address capacity issues and enhance workforce planning for team-based approaches to neurological care. This work is being overseen by the our National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions.

Ardrossan

There have been no modifications to the Arran linkspan at Ardrossan in recent years other than works of a general reactive and annual maintenance nature. The existing Arran linkspan at Ardrossan will be replaced as part of the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment works. The specification for the new Arran linkspan at Ardrossan has been specifically developed around the design and operational characteristics of the MV Glen Sannox vessel and the other in-specification vessels e.g. the MV Caledonian Isles and the MV Hebrides.

However, there has been an extensive programme of maintenance and refurbishment works to the Irish Berth linkspan at Ardrossan over the last 12 months. These works included replacement of motors and gears to ensure the linkspan is fully operational and is in a robust condition. As discussed at the Ardrossan Taskforce, that upgrading work will accommodate the anticipated increased level of services of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan during the period of construction work to refurbish and reshape the Arran Berth.

Brodick

A new linkspan was installed at Brodick and brought into service in 2018 as part of the Brodick Ferry Terminal Redevelopment project. This new linkspan (and berth) is larger than the previous linkspan and was designed to allow for a range of vessels to berth at Brodick, including the MV Glen Sannox.

Gourock

There have been no modifications made to the Gourock linkspan over the past five years. However, the linkspan has had a number of repairs undertaken, including: structural deck repairs; lifting cylinder seal replacements; lifting cylinder replacement; and numerous minor repairs. All of these repairs were undertaken to keep or return the linkspan in use and further work is programmed to enable the linkspan to provide continuity of service as a port of refuge, while a longer term masterplan for redevelopment of the site is delivered.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has initiated a port redevelopment project at Gourock. As part of this project, CMAL will incorporate a new linkspan and adjacent berth in the design options at Gourock to accommodate a wide range of vessels, including the MV Glen Sannox. That would enable the port of Gourock to act as an alternative mainland port for Clyde services, if necessary. Options for the redevelopment of Gourock port are being considered and assessed through the business case process. The project is expected to take up to 5 years, and progression is subject to business case approval, the availability of funding, and obtaining all the necessary planning approvals and Harbour Orders.

The MV Glen Sannox was designed to be able to operate at up to 15 linkspan ports throughout the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service (CHFS) network.

However, the MV Glen Sannox’s primary route has been identified as Ardrossan-Brodick which is the choice of the operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd. It can be deployed to other routes within the CHFS network, but only those that have linkspans and are capable of accommodating a vessel of 102 metres in length.

Hull 802, the MV Glen Sannox’s sister vessel will operate on the triangular route between Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy.

The Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. The publication of SAGE advice is not a matter for the Scottish Government.

The SAGE advice has informed consideration by the Chief Medical Officers of the four nations and the public health advice Health Protection Scotland has issued in the form of guidance for specific sectors. In essence, the policy of social distancing underpins all of the Government’s actions to date and the First Minister published Coronavirus (COVID-19): Framework for Decision Making on 23 April which outlines the approach and principles that will guide the Scottish Government as it makes decisions about transitioning out of the current lockdown arrangements. As that document sets out, the Chief Medical Officer of Scotland’s Advisory Group will provide scientific advice specific to Scotland in considering future options, augmenting the advice received from SAGE.

Universities which are only part-funded from the public purse, and which will lose some or all income from other sources as a result of the impact of Coronavirus, can consider furloughing staff and claiming a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grant from HMRC. However, the decision on whether to apply to the CJRS is for individual institutions, as autonomous bodies, to take themselves. I understand that, under the current guidance, the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has decided it will not be applying to the CJRS for any of its staff.

I further understand that UWS has established an Emergency Hardship Fund, to which UWS students on zero-hours UWS contracts may apply.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. Their scientific advice and the views of the Chief Medical Officer and other partners informed Ministers’ decision to close schools, with the exception of certain critical provision, from 20 March. This decision was based, firstly, on the scientific advice that closing schools would help to suppress the spread of Coronavirus and, secondly, that it was increasingly difficult to sustain education provision that was compliant with the UK Government advice on social distancing.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. Their scientific advice and the views of the Chief Medical Officer and other partners informed Ministers’ decision to close schools, with the exception of certain critical provision, from 20 March. This decision was based, firstly, on the scientific advice that closing schools would help to suppress the spread of Coronavirus and, secondly, that it was increasingly difficult to sustain education provision that was compliant with the UK Government advice on social distancing.