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: S5W-34263

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group, and (b) Education sub-group of that National Steering Group last met and when they will next meet.

Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) is responsible for both the Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group and Education sub-group of that National Steering Group.

The Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group last met on 6 November 2019. The Education Sub-group last met on 28 January 2020.

The Programme was stepped down in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic and remobilised in September 2020.

HIS has not yet agreed a firm date for the Healthcare Staffing Programme National Steering Group, but has confirmed that it will take place sometime before 5 February 2021. The first meeting of the reconvened Education Sub-group is scheduled to take place on 19 January 2021.

Question reference: S5W-34261

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will launch the public consultation on guidance in relation to the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34260 on 20 January 2021. 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 .

Additionally, as I stated to the Health and Sport Committee in my letter dated 18 December 2020, it is not possible to be explicit on the date for the public consultation, given this is part of a wider process of engagement and input which has been placed on hold to prioritise resource for the pandemic. When capacity becomes available the public consultation will be an integral part of that process.

Question reference: S5W-34156

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported disruption to cardiac rehabilitation services across the country, what support it is providing to re-establish these services and to engage with groups that typically do not attend, such as women.

Throughout 2020 the Scottish Government’s Cardiac Rehab Champion, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, was in contact with health boards across Scotland and worked with them to discuss alternative, Covid-appropriate options to traditional face-to-face rehabilitation.

Our overriding priority is to keep people safe, in their homes and in healthcare settings. Individual decisions based on the benefits and risks of treatment may have to be made for people living with a heart disease. Alternative therapy options involving fewer visits to hospital are being offered to individuals where these are considered clinically appropriate.

Question reference: S5W-33911

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what advice and guidance it has provided to hospices regarding visiting arrangements under the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director most recently wrote to hospices on the 22 December 2020 to offer updated advice on visiting over the winter period.

This letter emphasised that Scottish Hospices are expected to follow the visiting guidance that is most closely aligned to the physical attributes of their service. It is important to reflect that the majority of patients cared for in this type of setting will fall under the visiting guidance exemption for end of life care. In such instances, we support hospices in taking a compassionate and bespoke approach to visiting to allow those nearing the end of life to be with their loved ones.

The Scottish Government remains in regular communication with Scottish Hospices, through the auspices of the Scottish Hospices Leadership Group, to provide further advice and support as required.

Question reference: S5W-34109

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection in each of the last five years, also broken down by gender.

Question reference: S5W-34100

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing last met the Lord Advocate, and what matters were discussed.

Question reference: S5W-34099

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 13 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in residential rehabilitation services in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Since 2008 we have invested almost £895 million to tackle problem alcohol and drug use, including spending up to £95.3 million on alcohol and drugs in 2020-21.

Decisions on configuration of local services, including residential rehabilitation, as well as the level of resource, funding allocated and referral to them are made locally by Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships.

The First Minister has made a commitment to make a statement to Parliament in January where she will be laying down a step change in our approach to do things differently, this will include our approach to residential rehabilitation.

Question reference: S5W-34108

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 12 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many people diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection have been referred by NHS boards to the specialist service at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S5W-34101

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 5 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will implement the recommendations in the report, Residential Rehabilitation Working Group: recommendations on drug and alcohol residential treatment services.

Question reference: S5W-34157

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 23 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27946 by Jeane Freeman on 30 March 2020, which indicated that it would publish its Women's Health Plan by the end of 2020, on what date it will publish this.