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.

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Question reference: S7W-01369

Asked by: Malcolm Offord, MSP for West Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Friday, 26 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government at what point an NHS Scotland patient, who requires treatment and cannot access appropriate care and treatment within their own NHS board, has the right to seek timeous treatment from a provider (a) in another NHS board, (b) anywhere else within the UK or (c) further afield.

It is expected that most patients will be seen and treated locally wherever possible and appropriate, based on clinical need.

The NHSScotland National Access Policy (December 2023) sets out the national framework for how Health Boards ensure equitable and timely access to care. Under this policy, Health Boards are responsible for ensuring patients are treated as quickly as possible, including by optimising available capacity and working collaboratively across NHS Scotland.

Patients may be offered treatment within another NHS Board where this is clinically appropriate and capacity is available. Where necessary, Health Boards may also arrange treatment with alternative providers, including elsewhere within the UK.

The policy does not prevent patients from independently seeking treatment outside NHS arrangements. However, patients should not assume that the costs of such treatment will be met by the NHS. Any request for NHS funding must be agreed in advance by the responsible Health Board, which remains accountable for the patient's care.

Question reference: S7W-01370

Asked by: Malcolm Offord, MSP for West Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Friday, 26 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for an individual to be seen by a practitioner in another NHS board area where there is capacity

It is expected that most patients will be seen and treated locally wherever possible and appropriate, based on clinical need.

The NHSScotland National Access Policy sets out that Health Boards must optimise available capacity and work collaboratively to ensure patients are treated as quickly as possible. This includes offering treatment outwith a patient’s local Health Board where this is clinically appropriate and capacity is available.

Patients may therefore be offered appointments or treatment in another NHS Board, including National Treatment Centres or the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital. Decisions on these arrangements are made by clinical teams and Health Boards, and follow robust clinical pathways.

Patients may choose whether to accept an alternative offer; however, accommodating requests for a specific location cannot be guaranteed and should be discussed with the relevant clinical team.