Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11606 on 18 October 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Scottish Government has published statutory guidance in relation to Strategic Commissioning which applies across integrated services rather than for individual conditions or diagnoses. The integration legislation requires extensive involvement of appropriate local clinicians and stakeholders in service design at local level. In carrying this out local partnerships are also expected to bring to that process clinical expertise ensuring standards and quality of care, building on existing appropriate guidelines and ensuring sensible joint working.

Work on the National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions has commenced. Discussions have been held with organisations and members of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions, including The Neurological Alliance of Scotland which represents third sector organisations, The Health and Social Care Alliance, who are leading on engagement with people living with neurological conditions, clinicians from the Scottish Association of Neurosciences, and the Association of British Neurologists.

It is envisaged that the National Action Plan will be published in draft form in summer 2018, prior to a period of formal consultation.

The Scottish Government has committed to providing access to free sanitary products to students in schools, colleges and universities. The funding that will be provided will depend on the delivery options selected, as will timescales. We have committed to working with COSLA and other partners such as Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland to consider options for delivery to ensure we provide access to sanitary protection in the most effective way we can. Information gathering from colleges and universities is underway and officials are in contact with stakeholders to explore delivery options and timescales for implementation. I will also meet with key stakeholders to take forward discussions on delivery in the near future and to ensure we move as quickly as possible, working in partnership with stakeholders to implement this commitment. I will be happy to provide Parliament with a timetable and further detail when our work has been developed and agreed with our partners.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11342 on 5 October 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11342 on 5 October 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

We are commissioning qualitative research in order to in allow us to gather parents’ initial views on the items and information included in the box. This initial research aims to inform policy decisions on which items to include in the Baby Box going forward.

And, as we set out in our new Programme for Government, we will introduce a scheme to fund access to free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities and consider action to support those on low incomes, but not in education, in light of the findings of the current pilot scheme in Aberdeen.

Parents receive notification of the delivery date for their Box a week before delivery is due.

If our delivery partners are unable to make delivery, a card will be left to give notice of the attempted delivery and give options to rearrange delivery. If no redelivery is arranged after two weeks the Baby Box will be returned to the APS warehouse

Three attempts to contact the parent and rearrange delivery are made. Where they are unable to contact the parent after 3 attempts, parents are asked to contact the Freephone helpline.

Two weeks thereafter delivery is cancelled. However, should parents contact us after this point a box will be despatched. Crucially, no eligible parent misses out.

Scotland’s Baby Box is a universal provision, and as such all women who are under maternity care in Scotland are entitled to a Box. We recognise, however, some vulnerable or hard to reach groups require additional support to access ante-natal services. The Scottish Government have therefore worked closely with Heads of Midwifery and with midwives on the frontline to ensure that the registration process is consistent and supportive - regardless of the mother’s circumstances. The process offers health professionals the opportunity to engage with parents at timely intervals throughout pregnancy. This is an important step in encouraging the small number of expectant mothers who do not currently register for ante-natal services to do so, and to receive appropriate support and health care for themselves and their baby.

This early engagement with ante-natal services allows vulnerable mothers to build a relationship with their primary midwife and provides continuity of care throughout their pregnancy journey.

Midwives also work closely with other statutory services, for example social work services, throughout the pregnancy journey, where a woman is classed as vulnerable.

We are also promoting the Baby Box through our Third Sector partners to ensure that as many of our vulnerable families are aware of the initiative, and provide support in gaining access to maternity services at a timely point in the pregnancy.

The delivery address to be altered at any time to accommodate the location of the mother prior to birth, this includes delivery to all types of temporary accommodation

Scotland’s Bay Box is a universal entitlement, and as such, no data on a mothers benefit entitlement will be collected.