Chamber and committees

The safety of our maternity services is a priority to this government, which is why we have committed to undertake an independent review of maternity services in Scotland. I will shortly be setting out a statement to Parliament detailing what the review will consider, when it will be delivered, how it will engage with stakeholders, how it will be led and the timeframe it will operate in.

The Scottish government acknowledges the important role that artificial intelligence can play in supporting the diagnosis and management of stroke and the procurement of the national solution reflects the intention to include the use of artificial intelligence in the stroke pathway.

The Scottish Government provides baseline funding to NHS Dumfries and Galloway which is used to best meet the healthcare needs of their resident population. Funding is not ring-fenced for the provision of NHS Dentistry and it is not therefore possible to provide this figure.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on registration and participation centrally. Public Services Delivery Scotland publishes information on patient registration and participation for NHS Boards, including NHS Dumfries and Galloway: NHS dental data monitoring report.

Barnett consequentials are not expected to arise from the support provided to the British Steel plant at Scunthorpe. HM Treasury has confirmed that the Department for Business and Trade’s intervention is classified as a UK-wide measure; as such, it does not generate additional funding for the Scottish Government.

The First Minister’s 100 days programme commits to developing outline plans that will facilitate delivery of public service renewal. This includes working in partnership with stakeholders, such as public bodies, and trade unions to scope plans for additional legislation to deliver this commitment.

We remain committed to the delivery of a 24-7 thrombectomy service and Public Services Delivery Scotland are currently working with NHS Boards to fully establish the resources required to deliver this. Once this is established, we will work at pace to develop a delivery plan and timescales for service expansion.

The Island Business Resilience Fund issued awards to a total of 444 businesses across four island local authority areas. The local authority breakdown is as follows:

• Argyll and Bute – 206
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – 98
• Highland – 15
• North Ayrshire - 125

We are scoping options for heart and lung MOTs in community settings like general practice, pharmacies and other community settings.

This is about ensuring that we can identify those most at risk of lung and heart disease earlier, and provide the support that people need as a result.

Further information on heart and lung MOTs will be set out in due course.

In considering the provision of specialist services, NHS Boards are expected to plan capacity in line with population need and service demand, supported by regional and national collaboration where appropriate.

We are aware of pressures within some specialist services, including in the West of Scotland, and expect Boards to take these into account as part of their ongoing service planning and prioritisation.