Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-36536 on 28 April 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The £1.8m Digital Dermatology programme referenced within the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan (OIP) is designed to reduce the number of patients who require a dermatology outpatient appointment through the creation of a digital triage system enabled through image capture within primary care.

The digital dermatology programme is now available in all 14 territorial health boards and is accessible to over 50% of GP practices across NHS Scotland. As referenced in the OIP, we continue to work towards full roll out to all GPs across Scotland by the end of Spring 2025.

For patients, evidence suggests that this will allow around 50% to be returned to the GP with advice or reassurance, without having an in-person appointment with a consultant. Some patients are also likely to be fast-tracked to further diagnostics or treatment based on assessment at this digital triage stage.

The Scottish Government commissioned National Elective Coordination Unit’s (NECU) work is complementing the national Digital Dermatology programme by focusing on high-volume patient validation within an accelerated timeline, as well as developing robust digital infrastructure for image capture and clinical triage, and ensuring a well-structured workforce model for governance and clinical safety.

The Scottish Government has worked with NECU to establish comprehensive governance arrangements and a workforce framework that promotes collaborative efforts across NHS Boards. This has enabled the onboarding of 18 dermatology consultants and the creation of digital infrastructure to support clinical workflows.

NECU’s dermatology campaign has already engaged four Health Boards – including NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Grampian, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and NHS Highland - addressing the needs of patients waiting over 52 weeks and ensuring patient requirements are correctly recorded. As we progress, our goal is to continue leveraging these innovations to improve patient outcomes and streamline dermatological care delivery.

The Scottish Government reviewed the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process in 2021, working with key stakeholders. The review concluded that, while the process is generally effective, improvements could be made, particularly in relation to Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) and Redetermination Orders.

In response, legislative changes were introduced to streamline ETROs and clarify the use of Redetermination Orders. Transport Scotland is also considering further work, including the digitisation of TROs, to support greater accessibility and efficiency.

There are no current plans for a further formal review, but we continue to monitor feedback from local authorities and stakeholders to assess whether additional changes are needed.

The Scottish Government’s Guidance on due diligence: human rights sets out recommendations on how we, our executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies should undertake appropriate due diligence on companies, including their human rights record, before entering into an investment relationship with them.

As the guidance makes clear, this should include an assessment of whether an individual or company, including any parent or subsidiary, has been associated with human rights abuses anywhere in the world.

It is for the Accountable Officer of each agency and non-departmental public body to ensure that their organisation complies with guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.

In operationalising the Scottish Government guidance, Scottish Enterprise’s Customer Due Diligence Procedure sets out the process it follows in undertaking human rights due diligence checks on companies it works with. The other enterprise agencies have similar processes in place.

The Scottish Government reviewed the effectiveness of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process in 2021, engaging with key stakeholders including all local authorities. The review found that, overall, local authorities were satisfied with the system but highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in relation to Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) and Redetermination Orders.

As a result of this assessment, legislative changes were introduced to streamline ETROs, enabling implementation with 7 days’ notice and a 6-month consultation period. Guidance was also issued to clarify that Redetermination Orders may not be required where a TRO sufficiently regulates access.

In addition, Transport Scotland is considering further work to support the digitisation of TROs, with a view to improving accessibility and administrative efficiency.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise, I have asked Adrian Gillespie, the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, to respond to you directly.

Officials are working to update the national pipeline on an ongoing basis and are developing governance and information management protocols to ensure appropriate controls are in place to manage commercially sensitive information.

Official labour market statistics do not include data on reasons why individuals are unemployed. However, there is data available on reasons why individuals are economically inactive and not participating in the labour market.

The latest ONS Annual Population Survey (APS) statistics for 16 to 24 year olds for January to December 2024, published on 16 April 2025, show an estimated 12.7% of economically inactive 16 to 24 year olds in Scotland gave their reason for being inactive as “long-term sick or disabled”.

The Scottish Government has published analysis on the link between economic inactivity and ill health. On 24 September 2024 an evidence review indicated an increase in physical and mental health conditions in inactive people since 2018, with rising numbers of young people citing mental health concerns as a reason for being economically inactive (Economic inactivity in Scotland: supporting those with longer-term health conditions and disabilities to remain economically active - gov.scot). Previous analysis published on 30 August 2023 identified physical and mental ill-health as possible barriers that prevent young people from entering the labour market (Economic inactivity of young people aged 16-24: Definition, reasons and potential future focus - gov.scot).

SEPA reviews, updates and publishes Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVA) information every 6 years. The most recent update was published in December 2024 following public consultation. Further information on that consultation and how the PVAs are defined can be found on SEPA's website.

Scottish Government officials met with environmental and conservation stakeholders on at least 55 occasions and with fishing stakeholders on at least 65 occasions in a range of different forums to discuss Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) from 1 January 2022 until 18 April 2025.