Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold this data.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) publishes regular statistics relating to waiting times in A&E.

The latest publication can be found here: Accident and emergency - Urgent and unscheduled care - Healthcare system - Public Health Scotland

Our updated response to the 2023 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform consultation and 2025 technical consultation sets out the timeline for introducing a new calculation methodology called the Home Energy Model (HEM) which is under development by the UK Government.

HEM is a modular EPC methodology which will allow greater flexibility to account for new technologies. The UK Government’s documentation for HEM currently includes reference to solar thermal systems associated with reducing energy use for domestic hot water (document HEM-TP-09). We will continue working with UK Government as they develop the final version of HEM, and expect that contributions from solar thermal systems will be recognised within HEM.

The reformed domestic EPC will contain a new Heating System Rating. We expect solar thermal systems will largely operate as part of a hybrid system with other technologies. This will be reflected in the rating awarded. Our intended Heating System Rating bandings were published in the updated Government Response.

The Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) for Arran (including the Ardrossan-Brodick route) and Campbeltown are part of a wider programme of assessments for Clyde and Kintyre routes plus Islay, Jura and Gigha, and are scheduled to be carried out during 2026.

CNAs are underway for routes within the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service. These include assessments for Coll, Colonsay, Iona, Kerrera, Lismore, Mull, Tiree, and the Sounds of Barra and Harris services. These assessments are expected to be completed by summer 2026. CNAs for the Outer Hebrides (mainland routes), Small Isles, Skye and Raasay are scheduled to commence later this year.

The Scottish Government continues to invest in and support NHS 24 as a vital part of Scotland’s health and care system. Over the past two financial years, NHS 24 has received more than £26.9 million in additional funding to increase its capacity and improve patient access.

More than 100 new call handlers have been recruited, bringing staffing close to full levels to reduce handling times and manage demand.

Additionally, NHS 24 launched its digital transformation programme on 21 October 2025 to modernise services, improve patient experience, streamline clinical pathways, and ensure faster access to appropriate care.

NHS 24 operate under clear, evidence-based clinical protocols that are designed to safeguard patient safety and ensure timely access to care. These include a structured triage system, clinical decision support tools, and escalation pathways for urgent or complex cases, which apply equally to repeat callers.

The Scottish Government monitors compliance with these protocols and expects NHS 24 to adhere to them rigorously. Detailed information on specific guidance may be obtained from NHS 24.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41933 on 27 November 2025. 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 Programme Working Group has been considering interlinked vessel replacement and port infrastructure matters to develop the options for investment in ferry services to Dunoon and Kilcreggan. The review of services reported following the completion of the Community Needs Assessment work has been included in the ongoing business case work. Programme costs and budgets are currently being reviewed and will be included in the Outline Business Case which is expected to report in due course.

We are analysing the output from the consultation on the next NIFS contract and will publish this in due course, including the responses in relation to fares, which will help inform future fares policy.

It has been over a year since the extent of financial mismanagement at the University of Dundee first emerged.

Since then, the Scottish Government has worked closely with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the University of Dundee to help the University chart a route to recovery, while clearly respecting its autonomy.

From the independent investigation led by Professor Pamela Gillies, the Strategic Advisory Taskforce led by Sir Alan Langlands, workshops with the University, expert advice and due diligence from contractors, and expert support and advice from the SFC and scrutiny by its Board, substantial work and resource has been deployed to support the University to create a path to recover.

In June, I informed the Parliament that the Government would make unprecedented use of section 25 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 to offer up to £40 million direct funding via SFC to give the University the support it needs to identify and build on its strengths, engage fully with staff, and focus on income generation as well as reducing costs.

It has taken longer than anticipated to develop the stable leadership and focus required to move the university forward. This has affected staff and students directly, who have been living with instability and uncertainty in their place of work and place of learning.

However, significant advancements are now underway, and I can advise parliament that the SFC has issued the University with clear, fair, proportionate and achievable funding conditions. These have been published by the SFC (Board-Approved-Conditions.pdf) alongside a cover letter (Letter-to-Acting-Chair-of-Court-Re-Conditions-of-Section-25-Funding.pdf), and shared with the University's leaders and court.

The expert SFC Board undertook careful scrutiny and debate and concluded that the conditions as drafted are reasonable, feasible and justifiable, while providing essential assurance for the provision of additional public funding. Crucially, these conditions have been drafted to avoid any impact on the University's status as an independent autonomous institution.

These conditions do not yet provide a firm offer of funding, as the University must be given an opportunity to consider and feedback. The SFC Board is clear that the conditions set the appropriate balance, and the Scottish Government agrees with this assessment.

The University remains autonomous and responsible for its own governance and financial planning. The conditions provide an appropriate framework for this during the recovery period when it is receiving additional Government funding.

Following a period of engagement a formal offer will be made, and it will be for the University Court to decide whether to accept or reject. I will ensure Parliament is kept updated as the situation progresses.