- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 8 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to improve medical professionals’ understanding, recognition and treatment of Lyme disease.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26312 on 8 April 2024. 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 .
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 8 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure equitable access to Auditory Verbal therapy for all deaf children under the age of five whose families want them to learn to listen and speak.
Answer
Auditory Verbal UK is a suitable therapeutic intervention for some young people, and it remains an option that can be pursued by local health boards.
The provision of services including suitable therapeutic intervention remains a matter for local authorities and health boards.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 8 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the M8 Woodside Viaduct repair project will be the largest transport capital project in Glasgow during the coming financial year.
Answer
The M8 Woodside Viaduct is a vital element of Scotland’s motorway network, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles daily. Installation of the temporary propping system, required to enable permanent repairs, will continue through the 2024-25 financial year. It is anticipated that the project will be Transport Scotland’s largest capital-funded transport project in Glasgow during this period.
Other significant Government-led transport projects in Glasgow in 2024-25 include the East Kilbride rail enhancement project (£54.1m for 2024-25), active travel infrastructure projects and investing in Glasgow’s City Region Deal. This response does not consider projects by other authorities e.g. Glasgow City Council.
- Asked by: John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when the review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer will be completed.
Answer
The 2024 Clinical Review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer has commenced, with clinical peer review sessions running from April to October 2024. A consultation period will then follow to allow stakeholders across NHS Scotland to comment on the final version. A revised Guideline is expected to be published early 2025.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when all GP surgeries across Scotland will be able to use electronic signatures to authorise prescriptions.
Answer
The Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways (DPDP) programme, is scheduled to replace the current paper prescription in Scotland with a digital approach by the end of this parliamentary term.
The business case which sets out the proposal for the next phase, and associated funding, for the programme are currently under consideration.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing potential cancer patients to self-refer to Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.
Answer
At present, no consideration has been given for patients to self-refer to a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service. The focus remains on working towards population based coverage to an RCDS for eligible patients by Spring 2026. While we will continue to monitor emerging evidence from UK and international counterparts who have established similar Rapid Diagnostic Centre models, primary care currently play an integral role at the point of referral for RCDS patients. As well as undertaking key initial tests to support triage in secondary care, patients are informed of the process ahead so they can make informed decisions about their care.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS Scotland and (b) the relevant NHS boards regarding the provision of recurrent funding for (i) existing and (ii) future Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.
Answer
Officials met with every Health Board’s Cancer Management Team in March 2024 to discuss their plans for implementing, or sustaining, a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service. All possible funding options for both existing and future services will require careful consideration, locally and nationally.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to evidence taken at the Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee on 21 March 2024 that the former chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland was paid six months' salary after resigning amidst reports of serious governance and expenses concerns.
Answer
Ministers are aware of the circumstances under which the previous Chief Executive departed and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland is writing to the Public Audit Committee on this very point.
- Asked by: John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration is being given, as part of the review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, to risk factors such as family history and ethnicity in improving the early detection of prostate cancer.
Answer
A wealth of evidence is being collated and analysed as part of the 2024 Clinical Review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, including from key partners Cancer Research UK and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. All factors that are relevant in the context of symptoms suspicious of cancer based on available evidence, that could support primary care decision-making, will be considered in the Guideline review. The prostate peer review session (PRS), as part of the Review, is scheduled for May 2024.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 5 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing a short-life working group with representation from local authorities, private developers and community representatives to undertake a comprehensive review of the repowering process.
Answer
Repowering existing and operational wind generating stations will, in most cases, involve the full or partial replacement of a constructed generating station. This requires extensive construction works, such that a new development consent will be required. The process to consider these applications is already well established.
The recently signed Onshore Wind Sector Deal has a number of commitments that support the streamlining and speeding up of the consents process, as well as commitments from industry to collaborate with communities, engage at all stages of the project life cycle and offer impactful community benefits. These commitments all apply to repowering applications.