- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the number of any social care contracts that have been returned from the third or private sectors to the responsible local authority, and whether it can provide a list of any such instances, broken down by local authority, in each of the last five years.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested as this is a matter for local Health and Social Care Partnerships. The information is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-23717 and S6W-23718 by Jenni Minto on 19 December 2023, whether it is aware of any specialist services for children and young people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland, and, if it is the case that it is not aware of any such services, what plans it has to address this.
Answer
We recognise the importance of good quality care for children and young people living with ME/CFS.
Children and young people with ME/CFS can experience a wide spectrum of symptoms and may require input from clinicians from a variety of specialisms. We know there is no ‘one-size fits all’ response and a focus is required on coordinating existing care. Whilst children and Young People are not included within the scope of the current Neurological Care & Support Framework strategy, those who need assessment by a consultant or other professional can access this after an appropriate referral, normally from a GP, and can be referred to any further services as required such as paediatric medical specialities, paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The provision of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. Whilst our 2023 survey of health boards’ arrangements for ME/CFS care did not identify any ME-specific specialist services for children and young people, Boards are expected to ensure that patients have access to a range of professionals to provide the appropriate management of their condition.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation in Scotland similar to the UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government, at this time, does not have plans to introduce legislation similar to the UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.
The Scottish Government remains committed to improving animal welfare and will carefully consider DEFRA’s proposals for restricting advertising of animal activities abroad, once known.
Sadly the opportunity to jointly introduce this legislation was lost due to the last minute handling by the UK Government that saw Scottish Ministers given insufficient time to consider the proposals and their implications. The Scottish Government would have liked to have given their full support to these measures
Scottish Ministers will continue to engage with the UK Government and other devolved administrations where it is practical and feasible to do so.
- Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 22 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of non-emergency kidney patient transport service provision for patients travelling to and from in-centre dialysis appointments across each NHS board, and when it made any such assessment.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, NHS Boards are responsible for service delivery and treatment. All Health Boards should consider patient transport needs when they plan and deliver services and must ensure Patients have access to all information on any relevant patient transport (including community transport) and travel reimbursement entitlement.
Individual Boards are responsible for developing and applying their own policies, including determining eligibility and reimbursement rates, whilst ensuring patient care and safety.
A requirement has been placed within the NHS Territorial Boards annual delivery guidance to bring attention to the requirement for the Boards to consider transport to health for patients and ensure patients have access to information.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it supports a full review and inquiry into the closure of Glasgow East Women's Aid, in light of recent reports of alleged financial irregularities at the service made by Unite members.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware of the current situation at GEWA. We are working with our fund managers, Inspiring Scotland, and other funders of GEWA to ensure support is available to survivors. Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, a key funder, is working on refuge contingency plans for those affected.
It would not be appropriate to comment on any speculation surrounding the finances of the organisation or on matters relating to potential legal or employment disputes.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue with the fee structure for optometrists, which has been aligned to the dentistry fee structure for the past three years.
Answer
The 2024-25 public sector pay will be determined in due course by the Scottish Government. It is anticipated that this process will also include consideration of the fee position for General Ophthalmic Services.
- Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate action it is taking to improve certainty for investors in the build-to-rent sector.
Answer
The Scottish Government has ongoing engagement with the Build to Rent sector including through recent Ministerial meetings and the Housing Investment Taskforce. We also continue to work with stakeholders across landlords, tenants and investors as we develop a rent control system that works for Scotland. To support this, we have also established a Private Rented Sector Stakeholder Group which includes representatives from across landlords, tenants, campaign groups and investors.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to sustainably fund Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) for the long-term, to ensure that it can provide lifeline care and support to children and families in light of the reported rising costs and increased need for its services.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with NHS NSS, CHAS and Health Boards to improve the sustainability and oversight of funding for CHAS and to develop a long term sustainable funding model.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 19 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a national framework for non-emergency kidney patient transport to and from in-centre dialysis appointments, in light of the findings in the Kidney Care UK report, In-centre Dialysis Transport in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people living with kidney diseases are able to access the best possible care and support and that they benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective, and put people at the centre of their care.
The Scottish Government recognises that Transport plays an important role in supporting patients’ health journeys and the Scottish Government has recently prepared a draft Transport to Health delivery plan which has commitments against transport and healthcare across the work of Health Boards including Scottish Ambulance Service, Regional Transport Partnerships and Scottish Government.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 19 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of any impact on (a) buildings and (b) contents insurance of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being identified in a property, and whether it has any plans to provide guidance or support in relation to this matter.
Answer
The Scottish Government has met with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) around the issue of insurance and we have been clear that we would expect responsible insurance companies to offer as much assistance as possible to residents affected by RAAC. The actual cover available will be dependent on the individual policies that homeowners have in place. Building insurance is designed to cover damage caused by defined perils such as storms or floods and would not cover building defects or maintenance issues that develop over time. Homeowners should still be able to claim on their insurance policies if they suffer damage from these perils.
The ABI has indicated that the majority of their members will not void insurance policies as a result of RAAC being identified and that households can expect to continue to be covered for the defined perils outlined in their policy. We have also been assured that insurers will consider the renewal of cover for properties with RAAC, but these may be less commercially attractive as their construction could present a risk of more extensive damage from a named peril. ABI advice remains that policy holders should consider their renewal needs early and may wish to shop around providers to find a policy that provides best value.
