Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 140 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-23718

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the lack of services for children and young people with ME, as highlighted in the report, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Services in Scotland: Findings from an analysis of surveys issued to NHS Boards in Autumn 2022, published in May 2023, in which no services for children and young people were identified in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-02864

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning any new infrastructure investments in the next financial year in connection with City and Regional Growth Deals.

Question reference: S6F-02562

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the First Minister what work is being done to support the expanding role of the GP surgery.

Question reference: S6W-22738

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether its guidance for people with weakened immune systems regarding the COVID-19 winter booster vaccination has been adapted from previous vaccine programmes to reflect any benefit of repeat vaccines for at-risk groups.

Information and resources on vaccination are regularly updated to reflect the most recent scientific data and evidence.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice for those at risk, including those with a weakened immune system, is that protection from the COVID-19 vaccines is best during the first three months after vaccination. Protection from the COVID-19 vaccines does not stop after three months, but slowly begins to fade. This is why those at risk are invited forward for their booster vaccinations during seasonal programmes. These messages are reflected in our winter vaccine resources. The “Don’t let your protection fade” public marketing campaign also focuses on the importance of revaccination.

Individuals who develop severe immunosuppression may be at high risk of COVID-19 and less able to sustain any protection from previous vaccination or exposure. These individuals can be considered for additional doses of vaccination, outside of seasonal campaigns, based on clinical judgement.

Question reference: S6W-22737

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what targeted communications are being used to encourage more people with weakened immune systems to get their COVID-19 winter booster vaccination.

This year’s COVID-19 vaccine marketing and communication plan utilises a number of communication channels to reach those with a weakened immune system, under the “Don’t let your protection fade” campaign. The accompanying marketing toolkit includes a range of assets directed at those who are at higher risk of COVID-19. This toolkit has been shared with Health Boards and stakeholders for them to promote via their own communication channels. The national campaign has also promoted vaccination for those at clinical risk.

All those eligible for winter vaccination have been sent an invitation letter with either a scheduled appointment or instructions on how to book an appointment. Included with this is a leaflet which includes information around why those eligible are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine this winter.

Specific leaflets have been produced for the clinical at risk child and infant groups. These leaflets are designed to help parents/carers make an informed decision about getting their child vaccinated.

All programme patient leaflets can be viewed on NHS Inform.

Winter vaccines briefings for professionals working with people at higher risk are available on the Public Health Scotland website. These explain the importance of the winter vaccines and encourage healthcare professionals to speak to their patients about being vaccinated.

Question reference: S6W-22392

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that the reported shortage of the drug, Antabuse, will end, and what action it can take in the future to avoid shortages of drugs such as Antabuse from occurring.

The Scottish Government is aware that there was a UK-wide supply issue with the availability of Antabuse® (disulfiram) tablets earlier this year. The supply disruption has now been stabilised and supplies of Antabuse® (disulfiram) tablets are returning to normal levels.

The pricing and the supply of medicines is currently reserved matter for the UK Government. We continue to engage with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and we will continue to monitor the situation.

In the event of a medicine shortage, the NHS in Scotland has robust processes in place to manage supply issues when they do arise. Normally there are alternative products which can be prescribed and dispensed.

Question reference: S6O-02662

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a potential £200 million rise in non-domestic rates.

Question reference: S6W-21647

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve awareness of the COVID-19 post-exposure treatments available to people at high risk, and of how people can access such treatments.

Letters were issued to individuals at higher risk from COVID-19 in December 2021 and April 2022, notifying them of their potential eligibility for COVID-19 treatments. Registered care home providers also received letters advising them on access arrangements in January 2022 and July 2022. In addition, general information on the arrangements for direct access to COVID-19 treatments in Scotland can be found on NHS Inform .

The Scottish Government also encourages individuals to speak to their GP or specialist clinician about managing their COVID-19 risk, as they are best placed to provide advice on an individuals’ condition and potential eligibility for treatments. The final decision on whether to prescribe a COVID-19 treatment, and which treatment to prescribe, is entirely for a clinician to make.

Question reference: S6W-21644

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what support, including financial support, has been offered to NHS boards to bring forward the start date for autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccination programmes, in response to the detection of the BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant, also known as the Pirola variant.

The winter 2023 programme was always due to start on 4 September, so there was no need to bring that date forward. Our original plan was to start vaccination with those at lower risk and call those at highest risk slightly later in the programme, from mid-October. This was in line with JCVI advice, as protection is highest in the first three months following COVID-19 vaccination, so by vaccinating those who are at highest risk later, we would give them greater protection over winter and into the new year .

Although there is currently insufficient data to assess the potential severity or increase in transmissibility of new variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), in light of its emergence, along with the other nations across the UK, we took the precautionary measure to bring forward vaccination of care home residents, people aged 75 and over and people with weakened immune system aged 12 and over, where possible for Boards.

Our scheduling team has provided technical support to Boards to help them bring forward and re-order their scheduling plans. The Scottish Ambulance Service has also provided support to some Boards in vaccinating these groups. Public Health Scotland and Scottish Government have provided support in communicating these changes to the general public. The Flu & Covid-19 Vaccination team, including Scottish Government officials, has provided individual guidance and support to Boards where required.

No additional funding has been provided to Boards by Scottish Government, as we did not ask Boards to increase the numbers they are vaccinating, or to vaccinate all those eligible any quicker than the original plans. We have asked them to re-order and re-prioritise where possible, within their current planning and financial models.

Question reference: S6W-21645

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 surveillance measures it will activate this autumn and winter to protect people with weakened immune systems who remain vulnerable to COVID-19.

In Scotland, respiratory infection levels, including those of COVID-19, and their impact are monitored using various sources of data, including microbiological sampling and laboratory test results from community and hospital settings, NHS 24 calls, primary care consultations, and hospital admissions. The intelligence generated from these different data sources provide a comprehensive picture of current respiratory illness in Scotland. In addition, COVID-19 outbreaks and general trends can be estimated by measuring concentrations of the virus in wastewater.

Surveillance of respiratory infections is a critical part of our approach to monitoring and managing the spread and prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. It helps us to determine the right public health strategies and timing, to manage transmission in the community. Public Health Scotland (PHS) are responsible for delivering Scotland’s National Respiratory Surveillance Plan with the support of the Scottish Government.

Our successful vaccination programme means many people previously considered at highest risk, and the wider population, are now far less likely to become seriously ill from Covid-19. However, people with a weakened immune system might not develop the same level of immunity from the vaccination as others. This means that some people with a weakened immune system may still be at higher risk from COVID-19, although many do get some protection from the vaccine. These people should continue to follow the advice of their GP or specialist clinician, who best know their health condition and circumstances. This may include accessing to antiviral treatment where required. The advice across respiratory diseases remains to get your booster when we invite you for vaccination and if you feel unwell with a respiratory infection to try to stay at home.