Chamber and committees

Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, it is Local Authorities who are responsible for developing and delivering Flood Protection Schemes. The Scottish Government works closely with all local authorities to ensure that appropriate support is available to enable them to fulfil their duties under the Act.

It is recognised that the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme is unique in Scotland in terms of scale and complexity. Falkirk Council provide regular updates to the Scottish Government and this collaboration will continue as the scheme progresses towards formal Notification.

Scottish Ministers received the Public Inquiry Report on 18 February 2022 and are currently considering the terms of the report. The timeframe for considering reports, in addition to considering all other material considerations and application documents is very much site specific. The determination for Fetteresso is currently progressing in line with the most recent average timescales. 10 determinations, where a Public Inquiry was held, have been issued since January 2021. The average time taken, between receipt of the Public Inquiry Report from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (the “DPEA”) and the issue of these determinations, is around 6 months within a range of 2 to 15 months.

In March 2021, we published our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland, setting out our commitments to drive improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions such as bronchiectasis.

We recognise the importance of data in understanding respiratory care in Scotland. Our Plan contains a key commitment to build a core respiratory data set, which will enable the Scottish Government, NHS Boards and clinicians to identify improvements needed in delivery of respiratory care and also monitor how the implementation of our Plan is delivering better outcomes for people in Scotland.

At its first meeting in October, the Scottish Respiratory Advisory Committee (SRAC) identified data as one of the 3 key priorities for year 1 of implementation.

We have since established a sub-group consisting of clinical experts representing health boards across Scotland, Public Health Scotland and third sector representation to progress and deliver this commitment. The sub-group have held their first meeting and are in the process of commencing a scoping exercise on the data currently available across Scotland, before determining what data should be collected in the future in order to improve respiratory care.

The intelligent Liver Function Testing pathway (iLFT) used in Dundee, Tayside has been identified as best practice of early detection of liver disease.

It uses an automated, algorithm-based system to further investigate abnormal liver function test results on initial blood samples from primary care.

The Scottish Government has identified the iLFT pathway as eligible for adoption across NHS Scotland as part of its Modern Outpatient Programme.

The Tayside iLFT group is collaborating with other NHS Scotland Boards to assist with the implementation of iLFT within their laboratories and primary care services.

Data on the proportion of NHS boards that have an effective patient care pathway for the early detection of liver disease is not available.

However, we understand there is variability in liver disease management across Scotland. The Scottish Government has identified the intelligent Liver Function Testing pathway (iLFT) used in Dundee, Tayside as best practice which is eligible for adoption across NHS Scotland as part of its Modern Outpatient Programme.

The Tayside iLFT group is collaborating with other NHS Scotland Boards to assist with the implementation of iLFT within their laboratories and primary care services.

The existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on the diagnosis and management of cirrhosis recommends that very heavy daily drinkers (men drinking up to 50 units per week or women 35 units per week) should be screened for cirrhosis using one of the newer non-invasive diagnostic technologies.

NICE suggests FibroScan and in 2020 published a Medtech innovation briefing around its use in primary care settings, but blood tests for fibrosis markers are also accurate and should be available to any clinician.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to increase the use of FibroScan and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) tests in primary care in order to improve the early diagnosis of liver disease.

However, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is developing UK Clinical Alcohol Treatment Guidance, which is expected to include the issue of liver disease. These are expected to be published for consultation later this year. Once finalised, the Scottish Government will consider recommendations regarding early diagnosis of liver disease.

Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with liver disease is able to access the best possible care and support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.

We are working with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on the development of the revised UK-wide Clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment, which will include the treatment of liver diseases. The updated guidelines are expected to be published for consultation later this year.

We are improving our ability to detect cancer and to treat it successfully. That is why we continue to invest in our Detect Cancer Early Programme, which adopts a whole systems approach to diagnosing and treating cancer as early as possible. This will include the early detection of liver cancer.

General Practice and Primary Care multi-disciplinary teams will continue to play a key role in supporting patients with long-term condition management, including those with a diagnosis of liver disease, alongside specialist treatment services within Scotland’s healthcare system.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09214 on 28 June 2022. 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

The Scottish Government has supported businesses with more than £4.7bn since the start of the pandemic. All Covid-19 business support funds have closed. No funds remain to be allocated from either the Business Ventilation Fund or other Covid 19 related funds.

The Scottish Government has supported businesses with more than £4.7bn since the start of the pandemic. All funds have been allocated and no payments remain to be paid out by the Scottish Government. All Covid-19 business support funds have now closed.