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-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-43335

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 national guidance applies to the delivery of annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities, and whether these checks are expected to be offered within GP practices as standard, with home visits provided as a reasonable adjustment where required.

Scottish Government issued National Directions in 2023 for Learning Disability Annual Health Checks which detail the legal duties of Health Boards with regard to annual health checks as well as practical guidance on delivery. Annual health checks for people with learning disabilities (Scotland) directions 2023.

In Scotland, annual health checks are not required to be delivered via primary care. £2 million funding is provided per annum to Health Boards to offer LD health checks with flexibility in their chosen delivery mechanisms. The majority of LD annual health checks are being delivered via a nurse led model and the remainder via a hybrid model, which in some cases includes a Local Enhanced Service agreement with GP practices.

Question reference: S6W-43336

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 its position is on whether home-based annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities are an adjustment of choice, or the default model of delivery, and how equity of access to GP practices is ensured in this regard.

A pre-questionnaire filled in by the person with a learning disability and/or their family or supportive carer provides the opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments required, including any preference for the location of their health check.

If the preference is for a home visit, delivery teams should contact individuals to make arrangements or suggest an alternative location that better suits the person’s needs.

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

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-43338

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 whether routine annual thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) testing is recommended for adults with Down syndrome as part of annual health checks, regardless of whether the individual is currently prescribed thyroid medication.

Question reference: S6W-43195

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what updates have been made since 2021 to its (a) AI and (b) Digital Health and Care Strategy.

a) The Scottish Government will publish its new AI Strategy in March 2026. Building on the 2021 AI Strategy, it will outline the Scottish Government’s approach to harnessing the economic opportunities of AI.

As set out in its Programme for Government, the Scottish Government will also launch AI Scotland, a national transformation programme driven by collaboration between business, academia, government, and public agencies to help ensure that Scotland maximises the potential economic and social benefits of AI.

b) The Scottish Government has produced annual delivery plans for the Digital Health and Care Strategy following its publication in 2021. The delivery plans provide an update on progress and developments of projects and programmes to meet our vision and ambition for digital in health and social care. You can find the latest delivery plan on Gov.scot: https://www.gov.scot/publications/care-digital-age-delivery-plan-2025-2026/.

The Scottish Government also produces annual updates for the Data Strategy for Health and Social Care Since the original publication in 2023. These updates provide the latest developments of the Data Strategy. You can find the latest update on Gov.scot: Health and social care - data strategy: 2025 update - progress and priorities - gov.scot

Question reference: S6W-43196

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government by what date in 2026 it will the publish its renewed AI Strategy, and whether this will include a health-specific plan for AI in public health and the NHS.

The Scottish Government will publish a new AI Strategy in March 2026. Building on the 2021 AI Strategy, it will outline the Scottish Government’s approach to harnessing the economic opportunities of AI.

Through the Service Renewal Framework, the Scottish Government and COSLA have committed to developing a framework for the safe, efficient and ethical application of AI across health and social care. This is expected to be published in March 2026 and will set out key requirements across the policy and regulatory landscape, define organisational AI readiness and establish a shared AI lifecycle model to support consistent, accountable decision-making across the system.

Question reference: S6F-04615

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 26 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 January 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.