Chamber and committees

We expect NHS Boards to ensure that people with osteoporosis, including those who may be awaiting a bone-density scan, have timely access to high-quality care as set out in the SIGN guideline Management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures.

On 25 August we launched our NHS Recovery Plan which is backed by more than £1bn of investment over the next five years. The plan sets out how we will invest more than £400m to create a network of 10 National Treatment Centres across Scotland, increasing capacity for planned elective procedures and diagnostic care. The plan takes forward our aim of increasing NHS capacity by at least 10% as quickly as possible in order to address the backlog of care and meet the ongoing healthcare needs for people across the country.

As part of the general funding available to NHS General Dental Services, dental practices are required to ensure practice information leaflets, including information on appointments, is available in large print form. This is checked as part of the Practice Inspection Process.

Dental practices are also able to access interpretation services through their local NHS Board.

The Government Car Service currently has 28 operational vehicles. This comprises 24 vehicles that are allocated to drivers and 4 spare vehicles, which are used during periods of maintenance.

There are currently no plans to increase the fleet size.

The following table provides a yearly breakdown of the total number of vehicles used on the Government Car Service since 2001.

As this is a live planning application it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the case so as not to prejudice the decision making process.

The Garngad chord was initially considered as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). The proposal was permanently removed from the programme scope after a further option development appraisal confirmed that the continued operation of Cumbernauld services into Queen Street Station, could be delivered more cost effectively without the requirement for the chord and also without a reduction in the overall outputs of EGIP. Transport Scotland has no plans to deliver the Garngad Chord.

The wearing of a cycle helmet is not a requirement in the UK and remains a matter of personal choice.

The wearing of cycle helmets is covered by the Highway Code and is a matter reserved to the UK Government, however the Scottish Government is committed to improving the safety of vulnerable road users including cyclists. Scotland’s Road Safety Framework endorses the Highway Code, which recommends that cyclists wear a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened.

Many local authorities’ operating procedures insist on the use of helmets during Bikeability cycle training in schools. In others, it is left as a parental decision, in line with the absence of a legal requirement to wear a helmet when cycling.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to undertake research into the impact of onshore windfarms on tourism. As answered previously (S6W-02641 on 6 September 2021) our entire economic strategy is focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. While there are no plans for research in this specific area, any actions we take in terms of supporting immediate sector recovery and beyond will be focused on meeting the objectives of both our climate change and economic strategies.

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 age ranges for each of the screening programmes, including the breast screening programme, are based on evidence about the risks and benefits of screening people at different ages. They are developed in line with advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which informs decisions taken across the UK on screening programmes, including those taken by the Scottish Government. Currently their recommendation is to invite women aged between 50 and 70 for routine breast screening every three years.

The UK NSC review their recommendations as new evidence that could improve outcomes emerges. The previous review cycle for the breast screening programme was completed in 2019 and the next cycle is estimated to complete in 2022-2023.

Women over the age of 71 usually have the option to self-refer into the breast screening programme, however this option is currently paused to allow the programme to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and will resume as soon as capacity allows.

In the meantime, it remains important for women at any age to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and to report any concerns to a GP so that these can be thoroughly investigated. More information on symptoms can be found on the NHS Inform website at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/breast-cancer-female#symptoms-of-breast-cancer.

Diagnostic information on osteoporosis, or on medical adherence, is not centrally held by Public Health Scotland. Patients are not routinely tracked year on year and so this analysis is not available. In addition, medicines that are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis may also be prescribed for other conditions.

The number of prescriptions for drugs commonly used for osteoporosis in 2020-21 was 495,340, received by 76,898 individuals. These data relates to community dispensing only. In addition, calcium and vitamin D supplements are also widely used as part of prevention and treatment for osteoporosis.

Scottish Government recommends that patients regularly review their medication with their physician to ensure that their medication plan continues to be appropriate for their conditions and needs. A GP or pharmacist should be consulted if a patient is considering stopping a course of prescribed medication.

The Scottish Government welcomes this regeneration and infrastructure investment in North Ayrshire, which will improve the wellbeing of the community and help to deliver long term inclusive growth for Ardrossan and wider North Ayrshire.

The Ardrossan harbour re-development project at its current stage of development is estimated to cost between £35-£40million. The final cost will not be known until the tender and procurement stages have been undertaken and a contractor appointed. A significant contribution has been sought from the Scottish Government and discussions with Peel Ports Group continue. We remain committed to a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost effective way reflecting the needs of all of the partners involved.

Through the Ayrshire Growth Deal the Scottish Government have committed to invest £9.5 million in the Marine Tourism project which will be centred in Ardrossan. The project will develop the essential infrastructure to support marine tourism including the provision of a major extension to Ardrossan Marina. The International Marine Science and Environment Centre, while also included in the Growth Deal, will funded be by the UK Government and the regional partners.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02919 on‎ 27 September 2021. 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.