Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-39672

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to ensure the accessibility of train services for individuals with mobility issues, specifically later evening and night time services.

While, this is an operational matter for train operating companies, the Scottish Government expects that all operators in Scotland provide best possible assistance to all passengers, as appropriate.

For ScotRail specifically, the Scottish Government continues to specify a requirement that all its services should have a second staff member on board to assist passengers. This may include embarking or alighting from a train for passengers with mobility issues. This applies to all journeys at any time of day, evening and night.

Question reference: S6W-40143

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the eligibility criteria for a COVID-19 vaccine have reportedly changed, in light of reported concerns that older people who act as unpaid carers, who were previously eligible for a vaccine, will now have to pay up to £100 for one.

Question reference: S6W-40142

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the updated National Marine Plan will include a clear spatial plan covering all marine sectors, including fisheries, in line with the findings of its literature review on a marine just transition, which suggested marine spatial planning as international best practice for managing increasing competition for space and ensuring fair outcomes for coastal communities and marine sectors.

Question reference: S6W-40141

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment of the impact of human activity and pressures on the marine area the Marine Directorate has carried out ahead of developing the National Marine Plan 2 to inform its preparation, as set out in the legal duties of Section 5 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

Question reference: S6W-40140

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment of the condition of the marine area the Marine Directorate has carried out ahead of developing the National Marine Plan 2 to inform its preparation, as set out in the legal duties of Section 5 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

Question reference: S6W-39735

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a review of the guidance released in April 2022 by the National Autism Implementation Team on prescribing ADHD medication to adults following private sector diagnosis, and, if this is not the case, when any such review may take place.

Question reference: S6W-39782

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to conduct a full scale review of the Oral Health Improvement Plan, with the aim of providing higher levels of NHS dentists across the country.

There are currently no plans to conduct a review of the 2018 Oral Health Improvement Plan (OHIP).

The OHIP, which was developed in close collaboration with the dental sector, remains a relevant and important cornerstone of NHS dental services policy in Scotland. Significant progress has been made on the commitments from the OHIP since its publication, including through the introduction of payment reform in November 2023.

We are committed to improving the number of NHS dentists across the country, which is why our Operational Improvement Plan sets out a package of actions to improve the NHS dental workforce, supported by new funding in 2025-26.

Within this we will support the dental workforce pipeline through both the immediate expansion of domestic dental student numbers and the development of an innovative new training package to support international dentists in joining the NHS Scotland workforce.

Question reference: S6W-39670

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to adopt the 2022 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Guideline regarding the diagnosis of endometriosis in adolescents.

Decisions on the care and treatment of patients are always matters of professional judgement for the responsible practitioner having considered the needs of their patient and relevant clinical guidelines.

The Endometriosis Care Pathway has been developed for NHS Scotland and adapted from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The pathway aims to support healthcare professionals to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms. Both the Pathway and NICE guidance recommend clinicians consider the patient’s circumstances including their age, symptoms, priorities and emotional needs. They also include advice on, referral to a paediatric and adolescent gynaecology service, or paediatric service, depending on local service provision. Clinicians may refer to NICE and ESHRE guidelines when following the endometriosis care pathway.

Following changes to the NICE guidance a review of the pathway will be part of the 2025-26 workplan for the CfSD Gynaecology Specialty Delivery Group.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis can access the best possible care and support. That is why endometriosis is a priority in the Women’s Health Plan and will continue to be so.

Question reference: S6W-39828

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 08 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve access to evidence-based treatments for lipoedema, including manual lymphatic drainage massage and compression therapy.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with long term conditions including Lipoedema are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

The Scottish Government has recently conducted a public consultation on a new long term conditions framework to better recognise the fact that many people living with long term conditions need the same types of support and care, regardless of their condition. Analysis of the consultation responses is underway and will inform the development of the subsequent framework.

The Scottish Government has provided £80,000 of funding to the charity Talk Lipodema to enhance the development of the self-management course, ‘Living Well with Lipoedema’. This funding also enabled the charity to improve the resources available for the public and health care practitioners increasing awareness about the condition and providing practical resources, including a ‘Making a Diagnosis’ film.

The Women's Health Platform on NHS Inform has been developed to help girls and women find reliable and accessible health information. It includes a page on lipoedema with information about the condition, treatment and self-management options.

Question reference: S6W-39829

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 08 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the decision to suspend liposuction procedures for lipoedema on the NHS, in light of patient-reported outcomes and reports that international clinical practices have been introducing this treatment.

Decisions on the care and treatment of patients are always matters of professional judgement for the responsible practitioner having considered the needs of their patient and relevant clinical guidelines.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines in March 2022 which stated that the current available evidence on the safety and efficacy of liposuction for chronic lipoedema was inadequate and that more research was required.

In an update on August 2025, NICE stated it is aware of the LIPLEG trial taking place in Germany and confirmed that a review of the current guidance will be undertaken following the publication of the trial results.

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