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: S6W-43793

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of the Long Term Conditions Framework, for what reason it was halted less than 24 hours before its planned release on 18 December 2025; what specific stakeholder feedback informed this decision; whether a final draft existed at that point; whether that draft will be published, and whether the Parliament will be granted access to it.

I wrote to third sector partners on 17 December 2025 explaining that having given careful consideration to feedback from stakeholders, the Scottish Government would take more time to work with the third sector, clinicians and others to develop a Framework that meets the needs of people living with long term conditions, and meaningfully connects with the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework.

I also met with a range of stakeholders including the third sector and clinicians on 25 February. A set of advisory groups will now be established involving them to provide interim recommendations for consideration by the next government.

A draft framework was developed but will not be published, given this new approach.

Question reference: S6W-43710

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39198 by Neil Gray on 22 July 2025, whether the deadline of end of June 2025 for the roll-out of the new theatre scheduling tool was met.

The Scottish Government has met the stated commitment confirming all territorial NHS boards and the National Hospital Golden Jubilee were scheduled into the national theatre scheduling tool rollout plan by the end of June 2025, in line with the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan (https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-scotland-operational-improvement-plan/pages/1/).

The tool is now live in seven territorial boards – NHS Lothian, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Borders, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and NHS Tayside – and implementation continues across the remaining Health Boards.

The remaining Health Boards are on track to go live by the end of March 2026.

Question reference: S6W-43642

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42567 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 6 January 2026, whether it will provide an update on any issues with the delivery of the Winter Heating Payment, in light of reports of many Edinburgh Western constituents having yet to receive it.

Social Security Scotland is committed to ensuring that everyone who is eligible for Winter Heating Payment receives their payment automatically.

As of 24 January 2026, over 454,500 Winter Heating Payments had been made to eligible clients across Scotland.

As noted in the response to S6W-42597, Social Security Scotland contacts clients before payments are issued. While most people received their Winter Heating Payment by the end of December 2025, payments will continue until the end of February 2026.

Further details are available on Social Security Scotland’s website at: Winter Benefits management information release to 24 January 2026

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.

Question reference: S6W-43622

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 17 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for its work to support the digitalisation of NHS Scotland, including the full roll-out of the MyCare.scot app, in order to keep pace with broader digital changes across society and to remain aligned with NHS England.

The Scottish Government is progressing the digital transformation of health and care through the Digital Health and Care Strategy, with timelines set out in the Care in the Digital Age delivery plan on gov.scot: https://www.gov.scot/publications/care-digital-age-delivery-plan-2025-2026/.

A key deliverable is MyCare.scot, the new Digital Front Door. It will be introduced in phases to ensure safety, security and clinical robustness. Delivery is on track for full population rollout from April 2026. A national plan published in September 2025 sets the strategic direction, with further detail on national scaling due in Spring 2026.

MyCare.scot is being developed using shared Scottish public-sector digital infrastructure, including ScotAccount and the Digital Mailbox, supporting alignment with wider public services and integration across health and social care.

We continue to engage regularly with NHS England and partners across the UK to share learning as digital services evolve.

Question reference: S6W-43631

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to advance the development and accessibility of non-invasive diagnostic tools for endometriosis, and whether it plans to implement diagnostic methods such as the Ziwig Endotest in NHS Scotland.

The Scottish Government welcomes innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes and service sustainability.

Commercial companies can submit proposals for innovative products and services for the public sector via the Scotland Innovates service.

The Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland is based on guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Currently, these guidelines do not currently recommend the use of diagnostic tests such as the Ziwig Endotest.

Question reference: S6F-04678

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 16 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-43364

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when Ministers will engage with key local stakeholders, including the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT), regarding the review of maternity services in Caithness, and what steps are being taken to ensure that such stakeholders are formally involved in the review process.

I visited Caithness General Hospital on 30 July 2025 to meet with a range of stakeholders, including members of the Caithness Health Action Team.

The Caithness Health Action Team and other local community representatives play an important role in making sure the voices of women and families are heard. We expect NHS Boards to plan and provide safe, effective and high-quality care, in line with their statutory service provision and workforce planning responsibilities, which are dependent on the service needs of each Board taking account of national, regional and local priorities.

I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on 29 January. The meeting brought together clinicians, service leaders, professional bodies, and third sector partners with a shared commitment to ensuring that every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.

At its first meeting, the Taskforce began developing its workplan and engagement strategy, including its approach to overseeing improvements in rural and island maternity services. Reviewing the issues facing rural communities, including Caithness and Stranraer, is one of the Taskforce’s priorities and will be taken forward in a structured and evidence-based manner. This work will be informed by the expertise of its members, grounded in the voices of lived experience and aligned with the principles of safe care as close to home as possible. A broad and diverse range of service users will be engaged as part of this process, including representatives from the Caithness Health Action Team.

Parliament will be kept updated on progress. The next meeting is scheduled for February.

Question reference: S6W-43337

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are taken to ensure consistent implementation of annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities across NHS boards and GP practices.

The National Directions, stipulate that:

Annual health checks must be delivered by a registered nurse or medical practitioner;
Health Boards must use the Scottish Health Check for Adults with Learning Disabilities paperwork as included in the Directions;
Health Boards must provide an annual report on delivery to ministers (or when requested).

The National Implementation Group provides support to delivery teams ensuring there is regular communication with Boards around implementation. The Scottish Government also discusses annual health checks with NHS Boards as part of their wider engagement around delivery and performance.

Question reference: S6W-43340

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance exists for GP practices in relation to making reasonable adjustments under equality legislation to support adults with learning disabilities to attend GP premises, including allowing other NHS services, such as learning disability nursing teams, to use practice facilities where appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-43339

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how GP practices are expected to support routine monitoring, such as blood tests, for adults with Down syndrome, and whether requiring families to request tests individually aligns with the intent of any national guidance.

Any tests or follow up required as a result of the annual health check will be actioned or arranged by the practitioner carrying out the health check. Families are not required to request tests individually as part of the Health Check. Out with the annual health check, any concerns regarding the health of a person with Down’s Syndrome should be highlighted with their GP in the usual way.

We have worked closely with partners to develop information and support in relation to annual health checks. Down’s Syndrome Scotland has created a number of resources to support the delivery of annual health checks, including a resource for professionals about the specific health needs of people with Down’s Syndrome:

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/68763674/annual-health-checks-professionals-information