Chamber and committees

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information locally.

The delivery of the Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021- 2026 continues to be taken forwards by the Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MSN CYPC) into 2026.

The progression of actions in the strategy are regularly reviewed by MSN CYPC and will inform any future national strategy approach required to ensure that children and young people with cancer will have access to the best possible treatment and care.

The Scottish Government does not hold responsibility for the recording and monitoring of staff grades and structures across the public sector, so we can only respond in relation to our own staffing.

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used in a number of policy areas and for a diverse range of purposes. Generally these activities will make up a small proportion of a staff members’ daily duties, while AI may be one technology among many deployed for a particular solution, so we only have a small number of staff whose job role is primarily focused on the deployment of AI.

Recently published FOI release (Scottish Government staffing and salary statistics: FOI release - gov.scot) shares that in 2024 we had 6 data scientists, and a wide range of functions involved in the preparation of data, design of digital services, and support functions which could be related to the use or deployment of AI.

Meetings with only SSEN in attendance

Health Boards are expected to support patients and their families in identifying and accessing available support. Financial support for travel is available for patients and authorised escorts, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements, through schemes such as the Patient Travel Expenses Scheme (PTES) and the Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme (HITS).

Scottish Government has funded Young Lives Vs Cancer to provide practical advice and emotional and financial support to young people diagnosed with cancer and their families. This includes advice on potential welfare benefits as well as direct grants.

Further to this, we are working in partnership with Macmillan to improve the service we offer patients with cancer through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme (TCC). This partnership with Macmillan is worth £27 million and is the first of its kind in the UK. The programme ensures that every patient with cancer in Scotland has access to a specialist key support worker, who can provide emotional, financial, and practical support.

The Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MSN CYPC) are currently working with Young Lives vs. Cancer (YLvC) to take forward learning from the NHS England and Picker Institute U16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, to see if this can be developed for children and young people with cancer in Scotland.

Additionally, the MSN CYPC provides a range of patient experience support services such as the Youth Advisory Forum which provides children and young people with cancer with the opportunity to share experiences with each other as well as identifying gaps and improve the quality of services by providing feedback. The Parent, Carer and Families Forum, also facilitated by MSN CYPC, gives a voice to the youngest children with cancer, and their support networks which enables their views to also be captured.

The dedicated Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021- 2026 was published in 2021. This strategy emphasises the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving the distinct care and support services required for children and young people with cancer. Scotland is the only UK-nation to have in place a cancer strategy dedicated to children and young people with cancer.

Our draft Budget 2025-2026 includes a record £21 billion investment in health and social care services, including for services for children and young people with cancer.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-32820 on 15 January 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.

There is currently no provision in the draft Budget 2025-26 for new stations at Cove and Newtonhill, as we are awaiting the formal investment case being conducted by Nestrans to conclude.

Rail proposals are considered by Transport Scotland subject to a robust business case being demonstrated in line with Scottish Transport Analysis Guide (Scot-TAG) | Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) | Transport Scotland and Guidance on the development of Business Cases - March 2016 | Transport Scotland, as well as other Scottish Government priorities, our rail investment strategy and affordability.

In recognition of calls from the interested parties, Nestrans previously received Scottish Government funding to undertake the initial stages of the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Multi-Modal Study | Nestrans. This is now funded by them and they are using STAG for the appraisal of options to improve opportunities for travel by all modes between Aberdeen and Laurencekirk. The appraisal is considering multi-modal transport options, including options for buses and rail stations at Cove and Newtonhill. This work is nearing completion and Transport Scotland will consider its findings once received.

Our draft route map to achieving a 20% reduction in car use, co-developed with COSLA, published in January 2022, committed to exploring equitable options for demand management to discourage car use. A period of engagement and consultation followed publication, and the analysis and consideration of the consultation responses are shaping an updated route map.

The independent research on Travel Demand Management Options Study by AECOM was intended to be published alongside the updated route map. However, the decision was taken to publish the research ahead of this this, adding to the evidence base on how to reduce car use fairly in Scotland, while Transport Scotland continues to engage with local and regional partners to update the route map which we will publish on completion of that engagement. The AECOM research is not Scottish Government policy and was published alongside a policy position statement.