Chamber and committees

NHS boards are required to make every effort to ensure the safety of patients' belongings while they are in hospital, and to have appropriate security arrangements in place.

The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows the very real threat and heightened risk the climate emergency poses to the planet - but it also makes it clear that with immediate, concerted international action to reduce emissions, global temperature rise can still be limited to 1.5°C in the longer term.

Scotland is leading the way. We will end our contribution to climate change by 2045 at the latest, reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 along the way – a world-leading target. In December 2020 we updated our Climate Change Plan which sets out how we will deliver on this ambition and published Scotland’s indicative Nationally Determined Contribution in July 2021 outlining the actions we are taking to help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The global evidence provided by IPCC reports, as well as the independent expert scientific advice provided by the Climate Change Committee on what this evidence means for Scotland, will be part of the evidence base that informs development of Scotland’s next Climate Change Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Programme.

The actual period between examinations will vary considerably depending on the dentist’s clinical assessment of the oral health status of the patient.

The Statement of Dental Remuneration requires a minimum of six months between NHS dental examinations.

Waiting time statistics on the waits experienced by patients for first appointments with chronic pain services can be found on the PHS website at the following link: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/chronic-pain-waiting-times . Data is available from the quarter ending 31st December 2015 to the quarter ending 30th September 2021.

A set of data tables for the most recent publication, which was released on 14th December 2021, can be found at the link above underneath the sub-heading of ‘Data files’. Table 3 in this file shows the distribution of wait for patients who have been seen for a first appointment with data displayed in 3 week time bands from 0 – 3 weeks up to 52+ weeks. Data for each time band is available as the number of patients and the percentage of patients who experienced that length of wait.

The statistics published in the tables above are based on aggregate data submissions obtained from the 14 NHS Boards. Waiting times experienced by patients are reported as the number and percentage of patients in each time band. An average (mean) waiting time is not calculated.

This is a matter for NHS Boards who are responsible for providing appropriate clinical care based on an individual's needs. The information requested is not collected or held centrally.

A number of measures are in place to ensure child witnesses are protected within our justice system. For example, the court can take extra steps, called 'special measures', to help children and young people under 18 give the best evidence they can. Children who are witnesses in criminal courts are automatically entitled to special measures including a screen in the courtroom; a TV link to somewhere outside the courtroom; and a supporter who can sit with the witness while they give evidence. Other measures are available on application to the court. Further information on the support available to witnesses can be found at Help and support - mygov.scot . All criminal justice cases with child witnesses are referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service. VIA can provide information about the criminal justice system and key developments in the case affecting the witness, discuss any additional support that the witness may require to give evidence and help them make contact with appropriate support organisations.

In addition, from January 2020 Regulations have been in place to ensure that any child witness under the age of 18 giving evidence in the most serious criminal cases in the High Court, will be allowed to have it pre-recorded, sparing them the trauma of giving evidence during a trial, unless it is shown that this would significantly prejudice the interests of justice in the individual case. Last year, the Scottish Government also funded the commencement of the national roll out of a ground-breaking approach to interviews for vulnerable child victims and witnesses in criminal cases. The new Scottish Child Interview Model for Joint Investigative Interviews, conducted by highly trained police officers and social work staff, will deliver an interview process that secures the child’s best evidence at the earliest opportunity and minimises the risk of further traumatisation.

Following the urgent roundtable meeting I chaired on 4 November, I met with partners and representatives from across the sector on 8 December. The key outcomes were a focus on training and prevention, with the Violence Reduction Unit supporting Police Scotland and Night Time Economy Partners to continue to roll out bystander training to raise awareness for staff to help keep people safe.

Police Scotland’s Strategic Gold Command continues to monitor the situation, and are working closely with third sector and partner organisations, looking into further protective and preventative measures to combat drink spiking, including a public awareness campaign focused on bystanders and perpetrators. We want people to report if they see something suspicious and to step in if they think someone may be at risk or see someone behaving suspiciously.

I would encourage anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999.

There have been exemptions for airline pilots and crew in place since the international travel regulations were introduced in June 2020. Currently, pilots and crew have exemptions on testing before and after arriving in Scotland, as well on self-isolation and completing the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). After arriving in Scotland, they are still expected to follow domestic rules and workplace guidance.

Further details on the exemption can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/sectoral-exemptions/

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05371 on 10 January 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05156 on 10 January 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