The Scottish Government is aware of concerns that have been raised around online alcohol sales in Scotland. Officials are engaging with industry and business stakeholders to better understand these concerns and continue to keep the potential impact of this developing market under review.

Public Health Scotland holds alcohol retail sales data for both the on-trade and off-trade, which includes all electronic point of sale data for the main supermarkets and a representative sample of smaller retailers and independent stores. This data includes alcohol purchased online from larger national supermarkets which is processed on premises. Detailed information on cross-border online alcohol sales is not available and such information is likely to be commercially confidential and would require businesses to supply this on a voluntary basis.

The Scottish Government recognises that primary and community care services should be developed to meet the needs of distinct localities, including those in our rural areas and islands. We have a range of levers to support rural and island areas, including Scotgem, golden hellos, rediscover the joy , a GP sustainability project, and our current work with NES to deliver GP fellowships and rural credentials. We also established the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care to support health boards, HSCPS and individuals to improve capability in rural and island areas.

The Scottish Government estimates that the Employer National Insurance Contribution increase might cost between £520 and £580 million for directly employed public sector employees and a further £210 million for contracted out services and the third sector. For NHS contractors, including GPs, we estimate costs of £40 million.

If the chancellor does not fund that in full, it could be, that at best £380 million would be forthcoming; leaving a significant shortfall. We continue to press for clarification.

Since implementation of Best Start commenced in 2017 Scottish Government has provided over £30 million of funding to NHS Boards to support implementation of the Best Start recommendations.

We continue to provide funding for the ongoing delivery of neonatal intensive care and continuity of carer, and to NHS National Services Scotland for the Perinatal Network.

From February – May 2024, the Scottish Government held a public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt. The consultation was run in parallel with a programme of extensive stakeholder engagement.

During the consultation period, I met with a range of stakeholders across public health groups and the food and drink industry. Several Ministerial roundtable events were held with stakeholders to discuss their views on proposals for regulations. We will publish the outputs of these roundtable events alongside independent analysis of the consultation responses in early 2025, as well as set out next steps for the regulation of HFSS food and drink promotions.

Ministers meet regularly with a broad range of stakeholders including public health groups and industry to discuss a range of issues relating to public health policy.

Data on Fracture Liaison Service referrals across Scotland are not centrally held by the Scottish Government.

We know that this winter is one challenge for our health and social care system and recognise the impact of sustained pressure across our services during this time. We remain committed to supporting local systems to meet demand and deliver high quality services.

The allocation of medical specialty training places is made annually to ensure it meets the needs of the healthcare workforce, recognising that completion of specialty training can take a minimum of 3 to 8 years depending on the specialty. This process is overseen by a group of senior representatives from the Scottish Government, NHS Education for Scotland, professional bodies, and Health Boards. Based on workforce data and service demands, the group makes recommendations to Scottish Ministers regarding any changes needed, including the potential expansion of training places in specific specialties.

The Scottish Government is aware that currently some individuals across NHS Lothian are experiencing difficulties disposing of their sharps waste.

While the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services is the responsibility of the Scottish Government, the responsibility for providing arrangements for individuals to safely dispose of prescribed needles and other associated sharps waste is the responsibility of local Health Boards. In NHS Lothian this is delivered by community pharmacies through a local enhanced service for prescribed medicines and sharps waste disposal.

The Scottish Government is in close contact with NHS Lothian, and the Board is actively working with their four Health and Social Care Partnerships and Community Pharmacy Lothian to address the situation.

Anyone who is not in one of the groups listed in the answer to S6W-32362 on 23 December 2024 is not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination this winter.

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

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) recruit to specialty training posts in Scotland as a whole, rather than recruiting to posts in individual Health Boards. Therefore, this data is not available from our recruitment reporting system.