Chamber and committees

We want all women and girls to be able to access the best possible care and support and to benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put women at the centre of their care.

Endometriosis continues to be a priority for this Government, and we are determined to see diagnosis times reduced for all women and girls across Scotland.

Through Phase Two of the Women’s Health Plan, we are taking action to transform gynaecology services and reduce diagnosis times for all menstrual health conditions, including endometriosis. The Endometriosis Care Pathway has already been updated to align with the most recent NICE guidance so that NHS Boards can ensure that women and girls with endometriosis and endometriosis like symptoms have access to holistic and timely care.

Scottish Ministers will be considering options with the Scottish Ambulance Service to increase the availability of this service across Scotland, this will be informed by an evaluation of the current three sites funded by the Scottish Government in Glasgow, Inverness and Dundee. We expect the evaluation to be available by the end of summer 2026.

There are a number of public sector reform programmes currently underway in justice, including Summary Case Management (SCM) and the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability to reduce police time spent at court. The national rollout of SCM across all sheriffdoms was completed in January 2026. A report published in May 2026 estimates that, during the rollout period, over 100,000 fewer police officers were cited to give evidence. These reforms are improving efficiency across the system by reducing unnecessary trials, minimising witness citations, and helping to address court backlogs.

The final list of items to be covered by the legislation will be determined by consultation and engagement.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00539. on 8 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found athttps://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I have committed to expanding the walk-in service programme and will set out how I intend to do that over the next 100 days.

It remains an unwelcome reality that communities across Scotland experience health, quality of life and even life expectancy differently depending on their circumstances.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00484 on 8 June 2026. 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.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are licensed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Assessment of bathing water quality and the environmental impacts of CSOs are matters for SEPA.

SEPA monitors the quality of designated bathing water sites for the purpose of protecting human health during the bathing water season. When poor water quality is predicted or a pollution incident is detected, SEPA issues warnings against bathing, enabling beach users to make an informed choice about using the water or choosing shore-based activities.

Scottish Water has advised that it has found no evidence of operational issues affecting the four Portobello (Central) CSOs within the past three months. Discharges related to normal operations are highly diluted and do not necessarily result in pollution incidents. Any suspected Environmental Pollution Incidents should be reported to the SEPA.

The Scottish Government does not intend to further delay the introduction of the muirburn licensing scheme. The postponement last year of the scheme introduction has allowed for further consideration of stakeholder concerns and amendments to the muirburn licensing scheme through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026.

Our position is that muirburn policy must balance strategic wildfire prevention, including firebreaks, targeted fuel-load reduction, and a landscape-scale, risk-based approach, with the need to protect and restore Scotland’s peatlands. The licensing scheme is intended to do this by ensuring muirburn is carried out by trained people, in line with the Muirburn Code, and only where it is safe, justified and environmentally responsible.

Recent advice from NatureScot’s Scientific Advisory Committee sets out that licensing and strict compliance with the Code are the best way to reduce risks, including wildfire escapes and damage to carbon-rich peatland soils.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00657 on 8 June 2026. 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.