Chamber and committees

The Scottish Ambulance Service launched its demand and capacity programme in 2019, to ensure they are working as effectively as possible by having the right resources in place to deliver the most appropriate care. This has resulted in the recruitment of an additional 1,388 staff and the introduction of 52 additional ambulances in the first three years. The increase in staffing and resources, coupled with alignment of shift patterns to patient demand profiles, was designed to improve patient safety and staff welfare.

Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.

Scottish Forestry have undertaken a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for Scotland’s Forestry Strategy, which includes consideration of pests and diseases including Phytophthora ramorum and the legislation relating to plant health. Overall, and with appropriate adherence to the requirements of the United Kingdom Forestry Standard (UKFS) and existing environmental regulation, effects were expected to be positive. Legislation relating to plant health matters does not override other legislative requirements – and vice versa. The Phytophthora ramorum on larch action plan was developed in conjunction with scientists and industry representatives and reiterates adherence to Scotland’s Forest strategy and the need for due diligence to identify sites that will require to be protected.

The development of the National Treatment Centre programme is currently paused, therefore there are no revised costs for the five projects. As part of our Scottish Spending Review, the Scottish Government are undertaking a full review of our capital spending to prioritise the available funding towards projects that drive progress against our priorities.

We will provide clarity over which projects and programmes will receive funding in the medium term when we publish our new Infrastructure Pipeline, alongside the 2026-27 Budget and Scottish Spending Review.

PIK3CA, AKT1 And PTEN gene alterations for breast cancer are listed on the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine’s horizon scanning tracker.

We are keenly aware of the importance of accessing genomic testing in a timely manner for patient care and treatment, and we are working to expand our genomic medicine provision in Scotland, in line with our strategy and resources.

We recognise the critical importance of ensuring that patients can access targeted cancer medicines promptly when associated genomic tests are required.

The development of a sustainable and more reactive funding model for genomic testing is a core commitment within the Genomics in Scotland strategy. Work to develop new funding mechanisms continues to progress, however, this process takes time and significant negotiation across Scottish Government and the entirety of the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering equitable access to genomic tests associated with Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved medicines without unnecessary delay.

We are working with all health boards to develop a whole-system NHS infrastructure plan. This will reflect on needs across Scotland and support continued safe operation of existing facilities, as well as determination of longer term investment priorities. The National Treatment Centre (NTC) programme is currently paused and the development of the NTC Ayrshire and Arran remains under review at the current time.

As detailed in the 2025-26 budget, we are funding a £139 million additional investment across NHS infrastructure to support improvement and renewal. We will seek to progress the development of business cases projects and invest an extra £20 million in equipment to bolster productivity. Any final decision to progress to construction will be subject to the outcome of the Scottish Government Investment Infrastructure pipeline.

As set out in answer S6W-38508 on 18 June 2025, whilst Scottish Ministers are responsible for determining the strategic policy of the NHS in Scotland, NHS Boards are responsible for delivering their services, including making decisions to outsource NHS contracts to the independent sector where appropriate to meet the Board’s needs.

We have expanded the Clinical Oncology and Medical Oncology specialty training programmes since 2014. The Scottish Government is working directly with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to increase supply into Clinical and Medical Oncology and promote these options as an attractive career choice by future applicants.

Further, we have been expanding Internal Medicine Training (IMT) numbers, for example, which is a pre-requisite for various higher specialties including Clinical and Medical Oncology. This will increase front-end supply into several higher-level specialties including Oncology. The IMT programme has filled at 100% for the past five years.

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

Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

Day-to-day management, including that of specific funding, of the Transforming Cancer Care Programme is managed by Macmillan Cancer Support. Scottish Government allocates overall funds to Macmillan Cancer Support to distribute according to locally agreed processes.

During the period 2019-2023, Scottish Government and Macmillan awarded £18 million to the programme. An additional £9 million investment was agreed in 2023 to support the programme until 2032. Funds are to be allocated over that period as per Macmillan and the corresponding local authority/partnership agreement.

Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.

As part of the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) has published a number of clinical pathways and guidance, co-designed with clinicians, to manage patients referred routinely for colonoscopy. This includes the recently published qFIT clinical consensus document and national guidance for specifically managing IBD symptoms. Health Boards will implement these pathways to meet the six week standard. The pathways are published on Health Board websites, and it is expected all boards should be implementing these locally.