Chamber and committees

Women from Northern Ireland are already able to access abortion services in Scotland free of charge. The Functions of Health Boards (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017 came into force on 6 November 2017, which enabled NHS Boards to provide abortion services free of charge to women resident in Northern Ireland.

Scottish Government policy is that it is essential that young people have access to services and information when they require it. It is the responsibility of NHS Boards and Local Authorities to ensure that young people have access to appropriate sexual health services in their local area, however Scottish Government has funded specific projects and activities to meet the needs of young people. We have funded Scottish Drugs Forum for 2018-19 to 2020-21 to work to reduce the spread of blood borne viruses, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies among vulnerable young people. We have funded Common Knowledge UK over the same period to deliver their CKSexTalk project to young people with learning disabilities. More generally we fund the Sexual Health Scotland website, which provides a source of information and advice, and signposting to local services, to young people in all parts of Scotland.

Medical professionals are entitled under the Abortion Act 1967 to conscientiously object to participating in the delivery of abortion services. However, NHS Boards are required to ensure that they can still provide an appropriate abortion service for patients in their area.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-21234 on 21 February 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government has no plans to amend legislation regarding early medical abortions.

The Scottish Government wishes to ensure that appropriate support, information, advice and assistance is provided as required to a wide range of victims of crime. No particular definition is therefore generally applied. This reflects the legal position in Scotland whereby there is no overarching statutory definition of “victim” albeit that some criminal justice legislation provides bespoke definitions of the term for certain limited purposes.

It is a Scottish Government priority to find ways to improve the experience of victims within the criminal justice system and reduce the trauma associated with the court process. We recognise the devastating impact that all sexual assaults can have, and are committed to working with justice and third sector partners to ensure that these offences are dealt with efficiently and appropriately, and that complainers are supported to help them effectively engage with the justice system.

The £1.1 million additional funding, which was allocated to COPFS and SCTS in the current financial year, provided additional resources to help respond to immediate pressures associated with cases already in the court system, and the general growth in sexual offences referrals. This includes cases involving attempted rape.

This work is progressing as planned and we intend to issue updated support materials and guidance to Integration Joint Boards later this year.

Integration Authorities are working collaboratively to develop an overall framework for financial reporting to support the work of Scottish Government. This framework will continue to be developed during 2018-19.

Officials are reviewing existing legislation and guidance relating to adaptations. This work has a practical focus which will identify barriers and potential areas for development. We intend to issue revised and updated guidance and support to Integration Joint Boards later this year to help them deliver a tenure neutral, person-centred approach to adaptations for older and disabled people.