Question reference: S5W-36157
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by James Wolffe QC on 24 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the future provision of forensic toxicology services and on what date the University of Glasgow will cease its contractual arrangement with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Answer
Forensic toxicology services are currently provided by the University of Glasgow under a contract with COPFS. COPFS has agreed a contract extension with the University of Glasgow to 31 March 2022 to facilitate transfer of service provision to another provider.
As part of the process aimed at improving the delivery of toxicology services, the University of Glasgow agreed an Improvement Plan with COPFS which sets out performance targets and requires the University to provide data on a weekly basis to COPFS on the progress of their outstanding cases. The current work in progress is ahead of the Improvement Plan target and the level of work in progress has reduced significantly since June 2020. There are seven outstanding 2020 cases and these will be completed shortly. The average turnaround time is currently 48 days.
COPFS has identified a new provider of toxicology services and detailed transition planning work is being undertaken by this provider with a view to the service transitioning to them at the cessation of the University of Glasgow contract. COPFS and the University of Glasgow have agreed to work together to assist the new provider to manage that transition effectively.