Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Fracture Liaison Service audit and, have provided Public Health Scotland with funding to undertake a provisional organisational audit and scoping exercise.

Following completion of this scoping exercise the Scottish Government has advised the Royal Osteoporosis Society that the funding will be made available for a national fracture liaison service audit. The reporting timescale is expected to be finalised soon.

The statistics are disappointing, and we are working with NatureScot to identify the contributing factors. Key to progress will be tackling negative pressures in areas surrounding protected sites including the proliferation of invasive non-native species and overgrazing. Only through collaborative working at a landscape scale will negative pressures on protected areas be effectively tackled and biodiversity restored.

Later this year we will publish Scotland’s new Biodiversity Strategy. This will set out our vision to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 and restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045. The delivery plan will include a range of actions in support of this vision including actions to drive landscape change and actions to expand, connect and improve our protected areas.

NHS Scotland takes a multidisciplinary approach to tackling Osteoporosis through Fracture Liaison Services. These services provide vital support in identifying factures and supporting patients requiring osteoporosis medications.

This is a long standing service which helps ensure patients also have access to consultants and pain specialists.

The Scottish Government regularly talks to NHS Boards including NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley regarding performance of services.

We do not hold any information about specific discussions regarding facture liaison services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18442 on 13 June 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18442 on 13 June 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Our commitment to the Promise is irrespective of any decision in relation to the National Care Service. As such, the timetable for the passage of the Bill does not have any impact on the aims of the Promise.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18745 on 21 June 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

It is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to plan and commission adult palliative and end of life care services for their areas using the integrated budgets under their control. My officials are therefore engaged with Health and Social Care Partnerships and Scottish hospice sector representatives in relation to issues around funding.

I am meeting with the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group and Hospice UK on 13 September, and my officials continue to communicate and engage with hospice representatives meantime.

I have not yet met with the Welsh Government to discuss issues relating to children and young people in care since recently taking on my role as the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise.

However, Scottish Government officials continue to meet and work collaboratively with their Welsh counterparts on a regular basis.