Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10706 on 28 August 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The overall aim of the proposals in the Scottish Government consultation on increasing organ and tissue donation is to provide for a workable soft opt out system of organ and tissue donation which will do no harm to trust in the NHS or to the safety of transplantation. Conversely some of the main concerns with the session 4 bill, in addition to specific difficulties with some of the provisions, were that there had not been adequate consideration of how they would work in practice, how family members would be involved or of the cost implications, both for organ and for tissue donation.

The specific proposals in the consultation differ from those in the session 4 bill on key aspects. These include on roles such as the Authorised Investigating Person, which was central to the session 4 bill but not included in the Scottish Government proposals and the approach to proxies.

The Scottish Government proposals also include explicit authorisation for adults with incapacity. The session 4 bill also provided less protection for those newly resident in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10088 on 4 August 2017. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10088 on 4 August 2017. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10088 on 4 August 2017. 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.

On 29 June 2017 I confirmed that the current public sector pay cap is unsustainable and I will be bringing the 1% cap to an end.

Our 2018-19 Public Sector Pay Policy will be published alongside the Draft Budget 2018-19 later this year and will strike a balance between affordability and the cost of living.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10089 on 4 August 2017. 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.

Our current pay policy was published alongside the 2017-18 Draft Budget in December 2016 and our new pay policy will again be available at the same time as the Draft Budget 2018-19 later this year.

I have made clear that the current public sector pay cap is unsustainable and announced on 29 June 2017 that I will bring the 1% cap to an end. I have also written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer pressing the UK Government to lift the pay cap for public sector workers across the whole of the UK. I hope that they will recognise the benefits of enhanced public sector pay offers in the future.

Our 2018-19 Public Sector Pay Policy will strike a balance between affordability and the cost of living and we will continue to work with trade unions on how this can be achieved.

The Scottish Government have been advised by NHS Lothian that due to concerns over maintaining a safe and sustainable rota for the paediatric service at St John’s Hospital, the Board has reluctantly taken a decision based on a risk management assessment, to implement a temporary model of service which means that from 7 July, its paediatric in-patient ward will open between 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday. The Board considers that staffing levels are fragile and remain at risk, such that there may be no backup available should a member of the medical staff be absent at short notice, for example if they fall ill. NHS Lothian has engaged with clinicians on building resilience into the rota, however, the Boards position is that there is a risk of unplanned closure of the ward at short notice, causing confusion for parents and staff and possible delays to emergency care.

The Board Chief Executive supported by the Medical Director have reiterated that the decision to implement the temporary model was taken in the best interest of children and their families and NHS Lothian have confirmed that their aim is to return to a full service as soon as possible after the summer.

I have asked the Board to provide me with a plan with timelines for this work and I expect to receive this as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government is not a participant in the memorandum of understanding between NHS Digital, the Department of Health and the Home Office, to share non-clinical information regarding people who are considered to be immigration offenders.