The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-44081

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its planned introduction of opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with colleagues in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian to support the implementation of emergency department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses. Both Boards have made substantial progress in preparing for the safe and effective roll-out of this important intervention, including putting in place robust digital solutions to support test ordering and results management. Due to the challenging nature of some of these IT solutions, and existing Board pressures, it has taken longer than expected to implement this programme however it is vital we do so in a sustainable and robust manner. Subject to final operational readiness, opt-out testing is now expected to go live in both NHS Boards by the end of June 2026.

As part of the first phase of implementation, NHS Grampian commenced opt-out testing in the emergency department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in October 2025.

Question reference: S6W-44083

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian has commenced in March 2026 as previously indicated, and, if not, what the reasons are for any delay.

Question reference: S6W-44085

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what level of priority is given to the implementation of opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian.

The Scottish Government has received assurance from the Chief Executives’ Offices of both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian that implementing emergency department opt-out blood borne virus testing is a high priority within their Boards. Teams in both NHS Boards have committed to ensuring the safe and effective roll-out of this important intervention in their areas by the end of June 2026.

Question reference: S6W-44070

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have opted to not attend an appointment following receipt of a text message in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S6O-05675

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make an announcement regarding the development of the Sheriffhall Junction before the end of the parliamentary session.

Question reference: S6W-44073

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not inform the Scottish Parliament or patients that it had stopped funding Scotland’s national residential service for chronic pain in Glasgow after 10 years, in light of this service being created following a unanimous, cross-party vote of the Parliament in 2013, leading to its opening in 2015.

Question reference: S6W-44072

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has withdrawn funding from Scotland’s national residential service for severe chronic pain, which it funded since its opening in 2015 and until 2025, to support areas such as the islands and rural areas, which are still without pain services for outpatients.

Funding for this Service has not been withdrawn. As the Scottish National Pain Management Programme (SNPMP) is now an established national specialist service, it is now funded in the same way as all other national specialist services, with money top sliced from NHS Boards’ core funding allocations to contribute to the service.

NHS Boards began to contribute to covering the cost of the SNPMP through top slicing from 2024-2025, with the Scottish Government providing the remainder of the funding. As of 2025-2026, the service is funded entirely through top slicing, in line with other national specialist services.

The Scottish National Pain Management Programme is a designated national specialist service. This means that anyone resident in Scotland who meets the criteria can be referred to the Programme and seen by the Programme. This ensures equity of access to all patients across Scotland.

The Service is now funded in its entirety through this national funding mechanism. There are no additional costs to NHS Boards or to individual patients to access this service.

Question reference: S6W-44071

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what audit of non-functioning community CCTV cameras has been undertaken by Police Scotland.

Since the publication of the research report, Public Space CCTV in Scotland, the Scottish Government has been engaging with COSLA and Police Scotland to consider what the next steps in relation to public space CCTV should be. This includes consideration of whether there needs to be an updated National Strategy for Public Space CCTV. This work is ongoing and any work undertaken on auditing of community CCTVs will form part of this plan.

Question reference: S6W-43665

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the budget for the Young Patients Family Fund being reduced by almost £2 million since its launch, what action it will take to ensure that sufficient resources are available to expand the fund’s eligibility criteria to include all children and under 25s, as proposed by the charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, and the UK Government accepting the charity’s proposal for a £10 million young cancer patient travel fund.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) is designed to support the families of all babies, children and young people from birth to age 18 who require inpatient care in Scotland, regardless of diagnosis.

The YPFF is a demand-led fund and the Scottish Government has ensured full funding against demand in each year since its launch on 26 July 2021. The 2025-26 budget has been set based on expected demand levels and the Scottish Government remains committed to provide full funding for the YPFF in 2025-26.

Financial support for travel to hospital appointments is available through the patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts may reclaim reasonable travel costs associated with attending hospital appointments, subject to eligibility criteria and clinical requirements. These arrangements apply across Scotland and provide support to eligible young people and their families irrespective of condition.

Question reference: S6W-43664

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Young Lives vs Cancer regarding the charity's proposal to expand the Young Patients Family Fund's eligibility criteria to include all children and under 25s with cancer, and whether steps will be taken to expand the criteria for the fund, in light of the UK Government's recent announcement of a £10 million travel fund, based on Young Lives vs Cancer’s proposed model.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) is designed to support the families of all babies, children and young people from birth to age 18 who require inpatient care in Scotland, regardless of diagnosis.

I met with the charity Young Lives vs. Cancer on 25 September 2024 to discuss their Running on Empty Campaign.

Financial support for travel to hospital appointments is available through the patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts may reclaim reasonable travel costs associated with attending hospital appointments, subject to eligibility criteria and clinical requirements. These arrangements apply across Scotland and provide support to eligible young people and their families irrespective of condition.

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