Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-44082

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether funding has been confirmed for the implementation of opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian, in 2025-26.

Question reference: S6W-44101

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Cass Review.

Question reference: S6W-44078

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) consultation it has had and (b) support it has provided to Glasgow City Council to develop, agree and implement a new pay and grading structure, based on the results of job evaluation, to replace the current Workforce Pay and Benefits Review scheme.

Question reference: S6W-44104

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce waiting times for assessments for neurodivergent conditions, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Question reference: S6W-44099

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s visit to SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, Shetland, and in light of the site progress that was reportedly evident, what consideration it has given to support further progress to ensure that Scotland can continue to aim to be a key player in the space sector.

Question reference: S6W-44085

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what level of priority is given to the implementation of opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian.

Question reference: S6W-43946

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the existing CT and MRI scanner stock across NHS boards, what conversations it has had with NHS boards and what assessment it has made of whether it is sufficient to meet present and future demand.

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-43945 on 5 March 2026, National Radiology Lead from the Centre for Sustainable Delivery meets regularly with Health Boards to discuss imaging performance, staffing levels and scanner stock. NHS Boards have been asked to provide plans to support delivery of the 95% target of patients seen within 6 weeks throughout 2026-27.

Furthermore, we are looking at options to increase the amount of CT and MRI scanners as well as more robust replacement plans of the current stock to ensure technology advances are optimised which in turn can improve throughput, reduce radiation dose and improve energy efficiency.

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.

Question reference: S6W-43944

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the most recent Public Health Scotland data, what assessment it has made of the likelihood of meeting the March 2026 diagnostic waiting times target for radiology.

The latest statistics show that as at 31 December 2025, of those waiting for Radiology tests, 62% had been waiting six weeks or less; higher than 30 September 2025 (58%) and December 2024 (57%). The radiology list size also decreased by 18.1% compared to last quarter. We are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.

Throughout 2025-26, all Boards were expected to incrementally ramp-up activity as the capacity provided by the £22 million additional funding operationalised, with some high volume initiatives commencing in the latter part of the year.

Question reference: S6W-43973

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the likelihood of meeting the March 2026 diagnostic waiting times target for radiology, in light of the most recent Public Health Scotland data.

The latest statistics show that as at 31 December 2025, of those waiting for Radiology tests, 62% had been waiting six weeks or less; higher than 30 September 2025 (58%) and December 2024 (57%). The radiology list size also decreased by 18.1% compared to last quarter. We are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.

Throughout 2025-26, all Boards were expected to incrementally ramp-up activity as the capacity provided by the £22 million additional funding operationalised, with some high volume initiatives commencing in the latter part of the year.

Question reference: S6W-44067

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jim Fairlie on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its strategic action plan on wildfires.

The Scottish Government’s strategic action plan on wildfires will be published on 5 March 2026. It can be accessed via the Scottish Government’s website: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806438983

Following extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, the action plan draws on lessons learned from the 2025 wildfire season and takes account of practice within the UK and internationally. The purpose of the action plan is to set out the practical and ongoing improvements that the Scottish Government and partner organisations intend to make to our preventative practices, our national preparedness and the management of our response to wildfires in Scotland.

Chamber and committees