Chamber and committees

Drug and Alcohol Support Division officials meet with Police Scotland colleagues on a regular basis and as part of that have discussed the HMICS inspection and subsequent recommendations. These included the recommendation that Police Scotland ‘should publish a clear policy on drug harm reduction, ensuring it is accessible to officers, staff and partner agencies to support a consistent and co-ordinated approach’.

Police Scotland are key partners to Scottish Government in our efforts to reduce drug deaths and harms. As a result, discussion around the implementation plan in respect of the HMICS recommendations has taken place and further updates are provided by Police Scotland colleagues at Police Scotland Drug Strategy Board meetings.

Special Care Dentistry services are planned and delivered by individual NHS Boards, which are responsible for determining local referral criteria and clinical service models. As arrangements may vary between NHS Boards, I would advise the Member to contact the relevant NHS Board to obtain this information.

This information is not held by Scottish Government. Between 2020-21 and 2022-23, Scottish Government provided funding to Public Dental Services via Health Board allocations, however this did not specify funding for special care dentistry. From the financial year 2023-24, this funding has been baselined in to the general Health Board allocations and is not separately identifiable. I would advise the Member to contact each NHS Board directly to obtain this information.

The Scottish Government funded roll out of the vCreate clinical video system across all neonatal units during COVID. Decisions regarding the procurement and deployment of this neonatal monitoring equipment is now a matter for individual NHS boards and neonatal services.

However we do not hold information on the current status of these systems across Scotland's neonatal units.

The Scottish Government is aware of the recommendation in the Thirlwall Inquiry. The implications of this recommendation for neonatal services in Scotland will be considered by the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, alongside the inquiry's wider findings and recommendations related to neonatal care.

The Scottish Government is carefully considering the findings and recommendations of the Thirlwall Inquiry, alongside partners across the National Health Service.

The First Minister announced that the Maternity and Neonatal Task Force will assess whether any changes to existing Scottish guidance, procedures or review arrangements are required in light of the inquiry's recommendations for neonatal care and will work with relevant organisations, including NHS Boards to ensure that any lessons applicable to Scotland are fully considered.

COPFS relies on pathology and toxicology service providers to assist death investigations by providing the results of their analysis and submitting toxicological and post mortem reports in relation to examinations instructed by a Procurator Fiscal.

When a death investigation involves analysis of samples taken for toxicological analysis, the results are essential to enable the pathologist to determine the final cause of death. In 2026, Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Forensic Services have experienced an increase in turnaround times for some toxicology reports due to a combination of increased demand, the growing complexity of toxicological analysis, particularly in drug related deaths, and the need to ensure sufficient specialist capacity to meet service requirements.

SPA provides COPFS with weekly performance updates and senior leads have met regularly to keep track of progress made in improving timescales. A return to target for all categories of cases is anticipated from this month.

The Family Liaison Charter sets out how COPFS will liaise with bereaved relatives in relation to a death being investigated by the Procurator Fiscal. In relation to deaths where a post mortem examination has been instructed, we aim to receive and consider the post mortem report and make the family aware of its findings within twelve weeks of the death being reported to COPFS.

If the report is delayed for any reason and is not going to be available within twelve weeks, we will ensure that the family are informed about this and given an update on the expected timescales.

I have made it clear that one of the tests for the planned reform of Scotland’s environmental bodies is whether they will make services simpler and easier to access for citizens, communities and businesses.

The Scottish Government already tailors its approach to strategic sites depending on specific circumstances. As part of the development of More Homes Scotland, we will evaluate the potential role of measures such as land assembly, infrastructure support, strategic investment, master-planning and other interventions where appropriate.

Further details on the functions, priorities and funding arrangements for More Homes Scotland will be set out as development of the Agency progresses.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a Shetland Energy Act or similar legislation for all of Scotland’s islands as powers in relation to energy matters are largely reserved.

Our new National Islands Plan commits to ensuring our island communities share in the value of the energy transition. This includes reflecting island circumstances in the refreshed Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits, supporting island-based energy consumers and engaging with the UK Government on energy market reforms that work for our islands. We are always keen to learn from good practice across the islands and elsewhere.