What discussions is the Cabinet Secretary having with health boards following the challenges of the winter months, such as the increase in numbers of patients and managing illnesses such as influenza coming into hospitals?
I set out our approach to winter planning in an oral statement on 13 January.
We have worked with our healthcare providers to produce the Quality Statement for Infection Prevention and Control which sets our collective commitment to eliminating preventable healthcare-associated infections. We have also issued the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness which set out a national approach to the provision and maintenance of safe, clean healthcare environments across health boards and NHS trusts. They set clear expectations on what good looks like and are accompanied by a range of supporting actions to ensure compliance.
We hold regular discussions with Directors of Public Health and the wider NHS to reflect on vaccination delivery over the winter period and take forward planning for the next season. A lessons learned summit has been held and learning will be taken forward to the next season.