The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-20749

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to further understand the potential health impacts of using (a) electronic cigarettes and (b) disposable plastic vapes.

The Scottish Government will publish a refreshed Tobacco Action Plan in Autumn this year, which will include further action on nicotine vaping products.

We work with Public Health Scotland, Scottish Government analysts and a range of academics and stakeholders to understand the evidence. This is an ongoing process to ensure that the Tobacco Action Plan is based on the latest evidence.

In May 2023 we published “Vaping – understanding the prevalence and trends among adults and children – research” ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/understanding-prevalence-trends-vaping-adults-children/pages/2/ ). This analysis of data on vaping from twelve surveys conducted at UK or regional level, with a focus on current use, ever tried and dual use of vaping products, and differences by socio-economic status. It helps understand the potential extent of any issues.

Question reference: S6W-20741

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce regulations requiring that new non-domestic buildings provide separate male and female toilet facilities and/or a self-contained, private toilet as a minimum.

The Scottish Government has not considered introducing changes to building regulations for non domestic toilet provision.

The current building standards in Scotland require that new non domestic buildings are designed and constructed in such a way that sanitary facilities are provided for all occupants of, and visitors to, the building in a form that allows convenience of use and that there is no threat to the health and safety of occupants or visitors. This includes appropriate consideration of the provision of male, female or unisex facilities. The building standards regulate the design and construction of buildings up to the point of completion. The management of buildings and the configuration of toilet facilities is the responsibility of the building owner or operator.

Changes to these regulations and supporting guidance is normally led on an evidence based approach.

Question reference: S6W-20849

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has applied to the Home Office for approval for drug checking services.

It is not for the Scottish Government to apply for Home Office licenses to establish Drug Checking in Scotland.

The application process requires specific information provided by the pilot cities of Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Therefore, the organisations must submit applications in order for permission to be granted to establish these facilities in these areas.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering drug checking facilities in Scotland and have highlighted our desire to introduce these facilities to the Home Office and the UK Government has indicated they are open to discussing this.

Question reference: S6W-20840

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how its recent statutory Guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations will assist in the delivery of enhanced patient care and a successful wellbeing economy.

One of the key principles of the Guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations is to ensure that people are able to access support at the point they feel they need it, including for advice and signposting. Fair and consistent access to suitable assessments should be available on a non-discriminating, tenure neutral and human rights basis.

The timely provision of equipment and adaptations can reduce risk and injury, help with people’s confidence and their mental well-being, and may prevent unnecessary admission to hospital or care settings.

It is also a cost-effective solution which can contribute significantly to the streamlining of service responses and pathways, and support wider agendas including, hospital discharge and avoidance of admission, prevention and early intervention, frailty pathways, Anticipatory Care Planning, Mental Health & Dementia, child development, and the management of long-term conditions, including end of life care.

These interventions can allow people to do more for themselves and avoid the need for additional, more expensive, input from other services, and compliments rehabilitation intervention, for people of all ages.

Question reference: S6W-20722

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 18 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being done to tackle the reported rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Scotland following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A national STIs and Safer Sex awareness campaign led by Public Health Scotland launched in July.The first phase is focussed on condom use and knowing the signs and symptoms of STIs.A second phase planned for later in 2023 will focus on testing.

A national project to develop online STI testing has been underway since 2021. The Scottish Government provided £0.5 million for an initial pilot in NHS Lothian and scoping work is now being carried out for a national service.

In addition, we are currently developing a new Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus plan, which is due to be published by the end of Summer 2023 and will set out our priorities for the next three years. A key focus of the plan will be improving the accessibility of sexual health services, including STI testing.

Question reference: S6W-20729

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue any discretionary funding awards made to Health and Social Care Partnerships for community link worker programmes for 2023-24 in the next financial year.

Question reference: S6W-20838

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what interaction its ministers have had, or plan to have, with representatives of the healthcare and assistive technology sector.

Scottish Government officials have regular engagement with the assistive technology sector, including through the Technology Enabled Care programme and British Healthcare Trades Association. An equipment and adaptations guidance Implementation Group is also being set up by officials, which will include engagement with the sector, including representatives of the healthcare and assistive technology sector.

Question reference: S6W-20841

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to monitor the implementation of its statutory Guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations by (a) Integration Joint Boards and (b) NHS boards, including in relation to the expectation that all partnerships will review current practice using new baseline assessment tools.

Question reference: S6W-20723

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 18 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being done to reduce waiting times for sexual health services.

The Scottish Government is currently developing a new Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus plan, which is due to be published by the end of Summer 2023 and will set out our priorities for the next three years. A key focus will be improving the accessibility of sexual health services.

An additional £800,000 of funding has been awarded to projects which support progress against key aims to improve sexual health and blood borne virus outcomes and improve access to services.

A national project to develop online STI testing has been underway since 2021. The Scottish Government provided £0.5 million for an initial pilot in NHS Lothian and scoping work is now being carried out for a national service to improve access to testing.

Question reference: S6W-20730

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many community link worker posts were funded by the Primary Care Improvement Fund in financial years (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24, broken down by local authority area.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

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