Chamber and committees

COPFS’ case management database does not recognise the category of death of ‘medical mishap’. However, in the majority of medical deaths where there are concerns about the circumstances there would be no requirement for the post mortem examination to involve forensic pathologists.

The current cost of an NHS locum pathologist conducting a post mortem examination in Aberdeen is £600 per examination.

In relation to other incurred costs – which include histopathology, toxicology, administrative costs and mortuary costs - in the year 2023-24 the average cost per examination was £2,568.

To help ensure that qualifications awarded in Scotland are of a consistently high standard, the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) was established to develop and consider the options and implications of any potential changes to the scope of accreditation.

The SLWG is chaired by the Scottish Government’s Director for Education Reform and all members have a responsibility to share their expertise from their roles within the Scottish qualifications system. This is with a view to developing an evidence base that will support informed decision making on all aspects relating to the scope of accreditation.

The responsibility for quality assurance within the education and qualifications system is a shared responsibility across Scottish Government, a range of public bodies including the SQA, as well as other institutions.

The Scottish Government expects NHS Health Boards to manage those in need of adult allergy services according to local needs and deliver these services to provide high quality care that is safe, effective, and person-centred.

Children and Young People in Scotland can access dedicated allergy services through the National Managed Clinical Allergy Network (CYANS). CYANS has published a guideline on the diagnosis and management of food allergies in children, based on national guidelines. Further information can be found at: About Us – Children and Young People's Allergy Network Scotland (nhs.scot).

The number of complaints the Agricultural Wages Enforcement Team have investigated to ensure compliance with the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Order, over the past five years, is:

The Scottish Government is not taking specific steps to halt the decline of hedgehogs, however there are other initiatives that will benefit a range of species including hedgehogs.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) sets out our approach to generating high quality, nature-rich habitats across Scotland. Nature Networks aim to improve ecological connectivity across Scotland, linking important areas for biodiversity across urban and rural landscapes and allowing species such as hedgehogs to avoid becoming isolated and to move through the landscape to find good habitat to feed and to breed.

Alongside the SBS, one of the principles in Scottish Planning Policy is that the planning system should seek benefits for biodiversity from new development where possible, including the restoration of degraded habitats and the avoidance of further fragmentation or isolation of habitats. Planning authorities, and all public bodies, have a duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to further the conservation of biodiversity. This duty must be reflected in development plans and development management decisions.

Nature Networks are embedded throughout the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) as a key means of ensuring positive effects for biodiversity from development.

NatureScot has produced a publication Developing with Nature, which provides Guidance to support NPF4. This contains specific advice to developers on incorporating nature in to new developments, whether that be creating species rich grassland for pollinators, bat or bird boxes and advice for creating hedgehog friendly habitat as part of any development – including incorporating ‘hedgehog highways and houses’.

NatureScot’s seasonal campaign, ‘Make Space for Nature’, encourages everyone to connect with and take care of nature and provides practical tips for everyone to make space for nature, reverse nature loss and fight climate change.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with an allergy, are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

The latest published data shows that there were 302 patients waiting for a new outpatient allergy appointment as of 30 September 2024, with a median waiting time of 40 days and 78.5% of waits within the 12 week New Outpatient standard.

While this is welcome progress, I recognise there is more to be done. We continue to target resources to clear the longest waits and are working with all boards to maximise current resources and productivity.

The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Education Scotland (NES), who are responsible for managing all training provided to doctors in Scotland.

Allergy awareness is an integral part of all medical curricula, particularly in recognising and managing anaphylaxis. Foundation doctors also receive relevant training. Additionally, two new training pathways have been developed for Allergy and Immunology: Allergy | The Federation

• Allergy and Clinical Immunology (ACI)
• Allergy, Clinical and Laboratory Immunology (ACLI)

Turas learn also hosts a number of useful resources in relation to allergy awareness for healthcare professionals: Turas Learn - Allergy

I will set out the high-level principles of Air Departure Tax in due course, following which we will work towards implementation as soon as is practicable. However, this first requires a solution to the Highlands and Islands exemption, and we are working with the UK Government to achieve this.

The proposed reforms are intended to increase the quality of applications which are submitted to Scottish Ministers. Doing so, will in turn, allow for faster processing times.