The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-44029

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the provision of NHS audiology services in Glasgow.

As part of the national response to the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, the Scottish Government has provided funding to support all NHS Health Boards to work towards the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) standards accreditation and ensure high-quality, safe, and effective patient care. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has recently completed its IQIPS benchmarking as part of this programme of work.

The provision and operation of audiology services falls within the direct remit of health boards rather than Scottish Government. However, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it has taken actions to reduce pressure in adult audiology services, including additional locum support for post-assessment hearing aid fittings to reduce waits, and the creation of four Band 4 Associate Audiologist posts to increase longer term capacity.

Question reference: S6W-44023

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the use of digital devices in schools on pupils’ wellbeing, educational outcomes and screen time levels, and whether it will commit to a national review of device use in schools, including transparency around monitoring and parental opt-out options.

The Scottish Government keeps emerging national and international evidence under review, including work from bodies such as UNESCO and the OECD, to understand how digital tools can support learning, wellbeing and positive educational outcomes. This research highlights both the opportunities offered by well-designed digital approaches and the importance of ensuring device use is purposeful and balanced.

It is important to distinguish between school-managed learning devices and personal mobile phones. School-issued devices are used to support learning, giving pupils structured and secure access to digital tools. Decisions on the use of digital devices sit with local authorities, who are best placed to understand learners’ needs at various ages and stages, assess any local impacts, and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place while engaging with parents and carers.

In contrast, mobile phones are personal devices where the content accessed is not managed by local authorities. In response to concerns highlighted in the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research and the Programme for International Student Assessment, the Scottish Government introduced refreshed guidance in August 2024 on mobile phone use in schools, making clear that headteachers can take the steps they consider appropriate to respond to the disruption caused by mobile phones, including full restrictions across the school day.

The Scottish Government will continue to consider international research and good practice in line with the wider digital vision and strategic approach for school education in Scotland, while recognising that day-to-day decisions on device use remain the responsibility of local authorities.

Question reference: S6W-43922

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the provisions of free tours of the Thistle drug consumption facility to members of the public represents value for money.

The Government’s position is that the provision of organised visits to the Thistle supports transparency, accountability and an informed understanding of the service as a publicly funded health intervention.

These visits are carefully managed, time-limited and scheduled prior to the arrival of service users to avoid disruption to clinical operations and to ensure the dignity, privacy and safety of those assessing the facility are protected. They are also done by staff in their own time so there is no cost associated with them.

Being able to provide these visits also helps to dispel some of the myths and inaccuracies that have been reported around the Thistle. Glasgow HSCP have encouraged anyone interested to contact them to arrange a visit.

They are therefore considered entirely proportionate and informative with no additional use of public resources.

Question reference: S6W-43924

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the purchase of two needle bins in Calton, Glasgow, at a cost of £5,000 represents value for money.

The Scottish Government’s position is that expenditure must be assessed against demonstrable outcomes, particularly where interventions are designed to address complex public health harms. At the Committee hearing on 2 October, representatives from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Calton Community Council and Morrisons supermarket provided positive evidence of local impact. Morrisons reported a reduction of over 90% in needle collections in the vicinity since the Thistle facility opened.

In this context, the £5,000 investment in two needle bins indicates that associated harm reduction measures are delivering clear community benefits.

This reported reduction supports the Scottish Government view that such expenditure contributes effectively to public health and neighbourhood safety.

Question reference: S6W-43923

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the opening of the Thistle drug consumption facility has resulted in an increase in (a) antisocial behaviour, (b) discarded needles and (c) drug dealing in Calton.

The Scottish Government recognises the concerns of local people in the Calton area and are grateful for the continued actions being taken to address them by Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership

While concerns have been raised, no evidence has been provided which isolates the opening of the facility as the sole cause of such activity. These issues existed in the area prior to the introduction of the service, which was established to reduce public injecting and associated harms along with reducing the levels of drug-related litter in the area. Since opening, the facility has overseen over 9,400 injecting episodes, hugely reducing the number of injecting episodes which would have taken place in public areas and leading to further discarded needles.

The Thistle operates like any other NHS facility and works closely with Police Scotland and local partners. Police Scotland maintains operational independence in policing the facility and surrounding areas, responding to reports, deterring criminal activity, and protecting public safety.

An extensive independent evaluation is underway which will include an assessment of community impact. Its findings will inform any future decision as part of an evidence-led approach.

Question reference: S6W-43918

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the use of naloxone by the Scottish Ambulance Service reached a post-pandemic high in 2025, and what its position is on whether this indicates that its drugs policy is working.

Naloxone is a life-saving opioid antagonist delivered through Scotland’s National Naloxone Programme to reverse overdoses and provide emergency response time for further medical intervention.

The increase in its administration by the Scottish Ambulance Service reflects the persistence of drug-related harms and demonstrates that frontline clinicians are equipped to intervene and prevent deaths.

The Scottish Government considers the effective deployment of naloxone to be clear evidence that harm-reduction measures are operating as intended by saving lives. At the same time, higher usage highlights the scale of ongoing harm. This is why we remain committed to delivering a comprehensive drugs policy that integrates harm-reduction with prevention, treatment ,recovery and enforcement measures to reduce deaths and address the underlying drivers of substance use.

Question reference: S6W-44025

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it is taking to strengthen support for the Armed Forces community in Scotland, particularly in relation to healthcare access, housing provision, education, childcare and upholding the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Scottish Government’s ninth annual update on support for Scotland’s veterans and armed forces community was presented to Parliament on 9 December 2025. It provides a comprehensive picture of the work undertaken to date but I would like to take this opportunity to draw attention to some specific work that is making a real impact across our armed forces community.

The Scottish Government's stakeholder group – the Scottish Armed Forces Education Support Group (SAFESG) – works collaboratively to mitigate and address issues affecting Service children. In this way they help to improve the experience of Service children and their families in Scottish schools.

There has been particular engagement with Moray Council, to understand availability of childcare in the rural area around RAF Lossiemouth, including the impact this has on the ability to attract and retain service personnel.

Work is also ongoing in relation to housing including updating the housing guide for service leavers on the Scottish Government website and working with the Scottish Veterans Housing Group on the top priorities for the veterans’ homelessness prevention pathway.

The Scottish Government is developing an Armed Forces Covenant Framework which translates Covenant principles into practical actions for NHS Boards, ensuring the Duty is embedded in everyday practice. It provides a clear but flexible structure to help Boards support the Armed Forces Community, prevent disadvantage in access to healthcare, and set consistent national expectations. The Framework clarifies Board responsibilities, strengthens local partnerships, and supports quality improvement through better recording, monitoring and evaluation. Its overall aim is to improve outcomes for the Armed Forces Community by ensuring timely, equitable and person centred care across Scotland. In parallel, work is ongoing to develop the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway across Scotland. Working with veterans, the third sector and statutory services, the core aim of the pathway is to ensure that every veteran living in Scotland can access timely, effective and compassionate mental health and wellbeing support. The pathway is projected to be stood up on a phased basis in financial year 2026-2027. Our aspiration is that, by improving accessibility to mental health and wellbeing services for all veterans, they will receive the most appropriate type of support for their needs.

Later this year the Scottish Government will review its 2022 Action Plan with a view to ensuring strong support for the armed forces community in Scotland, taking account of the new UK Veterans’ Strategy and with, at its heart, consistent application of the Armed Forces covenant.

Question reference: S6T-02943

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 09 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the fire at Union Street in Glasgow.

Question reference: S6W-43964

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 9 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of its reported decision to reduce funding for the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award from £75,000 to £30,000 in 2026-27, and whether it will reconsider this decision, in light of the award’s role in supporting young people’s confidence, leadership skills, community cohesion and progression into further education and employment.

While we recognise the positive impact that the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award continues to have, we need to prioritise budget decisions to respond to an increasingly challenging financial environment. However, it is important to recognise that we will continue to support the Award in 2026-27 with £30,000 which will, on the basis of previous years’ experience, enable the Outward Bound Trust to leverage in support from other funders so that it can continue to support young people through the programme. The Scottish Government has funded the Outward Bound Trust to deliver the programme since 2012. Our commitment to the programme has been substantive and has amounted to £1.4 million over that time.

Question reference: S6W-43879

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 9 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many Buvidal injections NHS boards have returned to community pharmacies for destruction due to non-attendance at appointments at clinics in each month of the last three years, and what the total value of any such waste has been, broken down by NHS board.

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Question reference: S6W-44029

Answer

Question reference: S6W-44023

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43922

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43924

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43923

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43918

Answer

Question reference: S6W-44025

Answer

Question reference: S6T-02943

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43964

Answer

Question reference: S6W-43879

Answer