We are utilising digital technology to improve ophthalmology services across Scotland with the present roll out of the Once for Scotland Ophthalmic Electronic Patient Record (EPR). This EPR allows clinicians to access and update patient records wherever the ophthalmic care is being delivered, allowing for quicker clinical decision making and more appropriate patient care. The EPR will reduce the duplication of tests, support Boards in working regionally to deliver patient care and improve waiting lists with patients being treated at the right time. In addition, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde noted an increased capacity through the rollout of EPR, as clinical teams are able to work more efficiently.

The EPR is also accessible to community optometrists providing the community glaucoma service. They are managing lower risk patients, previously only cared for in a hospital setting, freeing up hospital capacity to see those referred in on a waiting list. In time the Ophthalmic EPR will be accessible to all community optometrists, aiding the ongoing management of patients with an ophthalmological condition, even when they are attending their community optometrist for their routine eye examination.

New ophthalmology outpatient waits continue to show a downward trend, reflecting progress in reducing delays. We are working collaboratively with Health Boards to maximise capacity and shorten waiting times for patients waiting for treatment.

We know many people are still waiting too long. This year we have allocated more than £135.5 million to health boards to help tackle the longest waits for appointments and procedures. The funding has been assigned to specialty areas where it can have the greatest impact against the longest waits, this includes more than
£12 million for Ophthalmology. Additionally, Health Boards have been allocated additional funding for the community glaucoma service and the EPR.

The Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC) provides clinical leadership and expertise to advise and support NHS Boards, Scottish Government and other stakeholders in relation to the delivery of children and young people’s cancer services.

They are responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care The Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021–2026 (children and young people’s cancer strategy).

The MCN CYPC are responsible for their own administration and staffing requirements in order to deliver on their remit, and we will always give careful consideration to any new funding required for them to deliver on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

Scottish Government does not hold this data.

Financial assistance for attending hospital appointments, including outpatient and day treatments, is available through the patient travel reimbursement schemes. The Young Patients Family Fund is a fund to support families visiting a child or young person who is an inpatient, and does not cover outpatient appointments.

NHS Lothian and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership are responsible for planning primary medical services provision in Edinburgh and making appropriate provision for new housing developments.

Draft rateable values for the 2026 revaluation were published on 30 November 2025 but may be subject to change. The final valuation roll will come into effect on 1 April 2026 and the Scottish Government will publish its report on changes in rateable values once final valuations are available.

There is an in-principle agreement between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Brigades Union on role expansion for Scottish firefighters. However, the actual uplift in pay would be subject to detailed negotiation. The cost would therefore be dependent on the outcome of those negotiations.

There are no plans to publish any analysis of the economic benefits of a potential role expansion for firefighters.

As I set out in my letter to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 16 December, official engagement is ongoing between the Scottish and UK Governments to resolve outstanding legislative competence issues within the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

This includes considering provisions in the Bill around employment protections for people who opt not to be involved in assisted dying, which may relate to the reserved matter of employment and industrial relations (section H1 of schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998).

No correspondence or communication has taken place with regard to the impact this may have on Scotland’s economy.

A link to the 16 December letter is available here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-health-social-care-and-sport-committee/correspondence/2025/ad-bill-cab-sec-hsc-section-30.

Draft rateable values for the 2026 revaluation were published on 30 November 2025 but may be subject to change. The final valuation roll will come into effect on 1 April 2026 and the Scottish Government will publish its report on changes in rateable values once final valuations are available.

Decisions on non-domestic rates policy for 2026-27 including reliefs are considered in the context of the Budget in line with other government priorities and will be set out on 13 January 2026.