Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP): FOI release

Information requested

1. Could you please provide a breakdown of exactly how VTP is being implemented in each of Scotland’s Health Board areas, e.g. ‘hub and spoke’ regional centre and CTAC model such as in Lothian, GP-based services in regions with a large, rural/remote population such as Highlands and Islands, and/or any other models?
2. For each HB area, how many (pre-)travel clinics are there, and where are they each located?
3. For each HB area, how many of the travel medicine practitioners currently employed by the service (- even if only in a back-up, advisory capacity e.g. second opinion for medically complex patients and/or higher-risk travel activities -) are medically qualified? And of these doctors, how many have undergone further, specific training in Travel Medicine, e.g. to Diploma, Membership or international (CTH) level?
4. For each HB area, who is the lead person for VTP, and how may I contact them? (I realise you are no longer able to give out personal data such as individual email addresses and phone numbers due to GDPR).

Response

1. From April 2022 The delivery of vaccinations moved away from a GP centred model to one based on delivery in community settings through our Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP). It is up to NHS Boards to decide which model(s) of delivery best suits their local population and needs.
    
2. An exemption applies. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemption(s) apply under section(s) 25(1b). Information on travel health clinics and their locations can be found via the NHS Health Board’s webpage, Fit for Travel. You can access this here: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
    
3. The Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP) recognises that health boards know their communities best. For Travel Health Vaccination as part of VTP, this recognises that different models could work better in different areas, for example community pharmacy, health board delivery etc., and therefore delivery model is not specified nationally.
   
   We do not hold centrally the level of detail that you have requested on staffing numbers and qualifications – this is determined locally by health boards.
   
   However, in order to support the Travel Health programme, the Scottish Government commissioned NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with Public Health Scotland to develop educational resources and associated documents to support registered practitioners who will be providing the Scottish Government Travel Health Level 2 specification of the VTP Travel Health programme. They can be found at this link - TURAS Learn
   
   They include an interactive e-learning resource that has been developed comprising of three units:

• Section A : Travel Health Risk Assessment
• Section B: NHS Travel Vaccines
• Multiple Choice Question Assessment
  
  A range of supplementary resources have also been developed to support practitioners:
• Proficiency Document for Registered Health Care Practitioners/Travel Health Service Travel Health Consultation exemplars/ Pre-travel risk assessment and management plan case scenarios booklet
• NHS Education for Scotland Level 2 Travel Health Programme: A guide for Supervisors and Employers
• NHS Education for Scotland Level 2 Travel Health Programme: A Guide for Learners
  
  Successful completion of the NES interactive travel health e-learning resource is only one strand of the anticipated learner journey. To achieve proficiency in the delivery of the Travel Health level 2 specification learners may require additional training. Employers are responsible for support, supervision and proficiency assessment prior to practice.
   

4. An exemption applies. The Scottish Government are unable to provide this information as it falls under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information). Under GDPR, we are required to comply with correct handling of personal information held.

About FOI

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