Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-23109

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 21 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports homeless households that have (a) dependent children and (b) pregnant women.

Scotland’s strong homelessness rights ensure that homeless households have a place to stay until settled accommodation is found which meets their needs. The vast majority of homeless households with children and pregnant women are given temporary accommodation in the social rented sector. For others, the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017 provides extra protection to ensure that families and pregnant women do not stay in unsuitable accommodation, such as bed and breakfast accommodation, for more than seven days.

Question reference: S5W-23302

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S5O-03265

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Question reference: S5W-22997

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its research funding that is awarded through the Chief Scientist Office and the Scottish Funding Council it will spend on children’s mental health in 2019-20.

Applications for applied health research, including in children’s mental health, can be submitted to the two open competitive response mode grant scheme committees operated by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office. Applications submitted are funded following independent expert assessment of the quality of the research projects proposed with funding recommendations made by an independent expert committee. Since neither committee has made funding recommendations in financial year 2019-20 as yet, no funding for applications submitted to the committees has been awarded.

Question reference: S5W-22996

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls by the charity, Miricyl, and other organisations, to set up a children’s mental health research centre.

Applications for applied health research, including in children’s mental health, can be submitted to the two open competitive response mode grant scheme committees operated by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office. Applications submitted are funded following independent expert assessment of the quality of the research projects proposed with funding recommendations made by an independent expert committee.

Question reference: S5W-22995

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to conduct a comprehensive equality impact assessment or another process to fulfil its public sector equality duty obligations regarding medical research funding awarded by the Chief Scientist Office and the Scottish Funding Council, as part of a wider review of medical research funding.

An equality impact assessment will be undertaken by the Scottish Government's Chief Scientist Office to support the development of a new health and social care research strategy to replace the current 2015-2020 strategy. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) does not provide funding specifically for medical research. A review would therefore not be directly relevant to the SFC. The SFC meets its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 by adhering to the Scotland-specific advice and guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Question reference: S5W-22690

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the chief medical officer regarding the use of (a) cognitive behavioural and (b) graded exercise therapy for the treatment of ME, in light of reports that such therapy can cause harm.

Question reference: S5W-22686

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that people with ME receive adequate medical care and support, and what its response is to reports that some health professionals do not recognise the condition as a neurological illness.

The Scottish Good Practice Statement on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) clearly highlights that some psychological therapies, such as graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are not effective for everyone and it specifically states their use remains controversial. It also advises people with ME should not be pressed into accepting unwanted treatments and, as with all other medical conditions, have the right to refuse any specific treatment offered.

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland recognise the World Health Organisation definition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as a neurological condition. Healthcare professionals are expected to be aware of recognised guidelines, such as the National Institute of Care and Excellence and the Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME/CFS, and to treat people, so they receive appropriate care and support for their symptoms, regardless of the professional's personal views.

We are committed to ensuring that people in Scotland living with ME 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. We continue to work with the neurological community, including those living with ME, to develop Scotland’s first National Action Plan on Neurological Conditions. We are carefully considering feedback received during a recent consultation and will publish our final plan later this year.

Question reference: S5W-22687

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence given by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to the Public Petitions Committee on 24 January 2019 regarding petition PE1690 (Official Report, c. 30), whether it will provide details of how the proposed working group on ME will operate; what the timescale will be for its set up and operation, and how it will involve people with lived experience of the condition.

Question reference: S5W-22886

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 29 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of the Engender report, Our Bodies, Our Rights, what action it has taken to include the rights and needs of disabled women in health and care policy frameworks.

The Health and Social Care Standards took effect on 1 April 2018. The Standards seek to provide better personal outcomes for everyone and to ensure that the human rights we are all entitled to are upheld. The Standards are focussed on the individual experiences of people using services and underpinned by five principles: Dignity and respect; Compassion; Be included; Responsive care and support; and Wellbeing.

The Engender report identified key issues of concern about disabled women’s reproductive rights. All women have a right to good sexual and reproductive health care. Achieving this is a key aspect of gender equality being reached, but we will not achieve this unless all women receive quality care, and this must include disabled women. The Engender report has been considered by Ministers across key portfolios and action is being taken. For example, for the first time we have included priority actions on sexual health and parenting rights in our learning disability strategy “the Keys to Life”, published in March 2019. It recognises the rights of women with learning disabilities to enjoy and maintain sexual relationships, addresses discrimination around reproductive rights and recognises the need for appropriate sexual health and parenting education supported by access to services.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that sexual health services in Scotland are all-inclusive and accessible to all disabled women. Following the publication of the Engender report, we have contacted all Sexual Health lead clinicians to learn what can be done to improve disabled women’s experience of sexual health services.

Chamber and committees