Alison Johnstone

Answer · Clare Haughey · 8 Mar 2021

Data on the mental health of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in Scotland is collected in the Scottish COVID-19 Mental Health Tracker Study. This surveys a representative sample of adults in Scotland about a range of mental health and wellbeing outcomes, at five points over a twelve month period. The first report found that respondents who identified as BAME reported worse mental health indicators than white respondents on a number of measures. However, the sample of BAME respondents is quite small, so the findings need to be treated with caution.
The Scottish Government also commissioned a second 'Lockdown Lowdown' survey of young people in Scotland, aged 11 to 26, to find out how the pandemic was impacting on them. The report analysed findings from BAME respondents, but found limited differences in mental health by ethnicity.
The Scottish Government's Coronavirus Mental Health Research Advisory Group continues to monitor emerging data and evidence on the mental health impacts of the pandemic on different groups

Answer · Clare Haughey · 5 Mar 2021

We know that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on many people’s mental health. However, we recognise that the pandemic has had a more adverse impact on the mental health of some groups of the population, including BAME communities.
That is why our Transition and Recovery Plan commits to considering and addressing the impacts on the mental health of minority ethnic groups. Actions include establishing an Equality Stakeholder Forum to provide advice on the implementation of the Transition and Recovery Plan and wider equalities work within mental health policy.
The first meeting of the Equality and Human Rights Forum was held on 26 February and we are now engaging with organisations to better understand and respond to the minority ethnic-related mental health inequalities that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Answer · Kate Forbes · 8 Mar 2021

We recognise the financial challenges that English Language Schools are experiencing as a result of restrictions introduced to control the spread of COVID-19. The limited funding made available to the Scottish Government by the UK Government prevents us from establishing a specific fund for every sector experiencing disruption as a result of COVID-19. We have, however, allocated? £120 million in discretionary business support funding to Local Authorities enabling them to direct funding towards those sectors unable to access other sources of financial support. I would encourage English language schools to seek support through this route.

Answer · Jeane Freeman · 24 Mar 2021

On 22 February, I announced that people with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers are beginning to receive coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations.
The first to be invited will be people who have conditions which are included on both the JCVI priority list group 6 and the flu vaccine list. Although there is some overlap, the two lists are not exactly the same.
JCVI priority group 6 includes people aged 16 to 64 with the following conditions:a blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)diabetesdementiaa heart problema chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthmaa kidney diseasea liver diseaselowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as HIV infection, steroid medication, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis (who may require long term immunosuppressive treatments)who have had an organ transplanthave had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)a neurological or muscle wasting conditiona severe or profound learning disabilitya problem with the spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or those who have had their spleen removedhave a BMI of above 40are severely mentally ill
NHS Scotland Boards will use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances, whilst maintaining a COVID-19 safe environment, such as maintaining good infection prevention & control practices and appropriate physical distancing measures, and maximising efficiency