Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not carried out an analysis of the impact that citations for jury service may have on the wider economy.

The Scottish Government recognises that all recorded information relating to its business is subject to Freedom of Information law, irrespective of its format or the platform on which it is held. This includes any information held in or originally generated in WhatsApp or similar messaging apps.

The Scottish Government has previously released such messaging exchanges in response to Freedom of Information requests. However, to ascertain the number of responses which have included such exchanges officials would require to individually check every FOI response the Scottish Government has issued. For that reason, this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Time charter crew are employed by the vessel owner and therefore the onus is on them to ensure Compliance with the Fair Work action plan. CalMac Ferries Limited would only be responsible if the charter is on a bareboat basis or the vessel is owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Consequently, both companies do insist that all crew are paid the real Living Wage on time charters, and if this is not provided by their employers they would supplement to ensure they equal the Living wage.

The Oban Craignure project is currently at the initiation stage where service and operator requirements are being developed for the new vessel project. Simultaneously options are being investigated for an interim option to replace MV Isle of Mull.

No meetings between Ministers and the Clyde Catamaran Group have taken place in that time period. However, a meeting with the CCG has been arranged and I look forward to hearing the Group’s proposals.

There have been no recent discussions with the UK Government on these specific issues, which are matters for the operators to consider. However, I have been in correspondence with the UK Government regarding wider seafarer employment conditions, including writing on numerous occasions seeking a 4 nations ministerial meeting to discuss the implications of the decision by P&O Ferries to sack almost 800 crew. The UK Government did not respond to these proposals, which was disappointing noting where legislative competence rests.

Shipping safety and seafarer welfare and employment conditions are matters reserved to the UK Government. The Maritime Labour Convention came into force in the UK on 7 August 2014. It sets out the minimum working and living rights for seafarers, with the onus on operators. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are responsible for auditing vessels to ensure compliance.

The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety and crew welfare and employment conditions for vessels and personnel accessing Scotland’s ports and coastal areas.

CalMac Ferries have confirmed MV Isle of Mull is currently operating as the relief vessel on the Oban/Lochboisdale/Castlebay service.

In February 2021, we published the refresh of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (DIP), which sets out our aims and priorities to deliver safe, effective and person-centred healthcare, treatment and support for people living with diabetes. Implementation of the Plan is governed by the Scottish Diabetes Group and a number of project groups.  

The Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) and Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) meet regularly to discuss concerns and share good practice. The Chair of the SDG also hosts an advisory group to discuss issues relating to endocrinology services. NHS Ayrshire & Arran have representation on these national meetings and we will continue to support the diabetes teams to improve their services.  

Wider support for service improvements comes from the NHS Recovery Plan, published in August 2021. This Plan is backed by over £1 billion of funding and will support an increase in both inpatient and outpatient activity to ensure adequate provision of services and tackle backlogs in care from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information regarding the length of time agreed interim care placements are in place.

The Scottish Government is working with all NHS Boards, including NHS Ayrshire and Arran, to clear long waits, which have been exacerbated by the impacts of the global pandemic, and more recently the disruption caused by a very difficult winter.

Recent statistics show that NHS Ayrshire & Arran has made significant progress in reducing long waits for outpatients since the targets were announced in July 2022.

We continue to work closely with NHS Ayrshire & Arran to address the backlog of planned care. This includes mutual aid arrangements to clear long waits in Gastroenterology and Diabetes & Endocrinology services, and additional support for Dermatology and Ophthalmology.

The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) is also working with Health Boards, including NHS Ayrshire & Arran, to accelerate implementation of high impact changes, including Active Clinical Referral Treatment and Patient Initiated Review. These improvement programmes will not only support delivery of the targets, but they will also provide sustainable solutions for the future.

We are working with CfSD and Health Boards to embed regional and national working to ensure that long waiting patients can access treatment more quickly.