Scottish Government Ministers have had engagement with the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the reintroduction of the High Speed Rail Crewe to Manchester Bill (on 25 July 2024) and officials are engaged with counterparts on medium-long term strategic railway planning across GB.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31682 on 9 December 2024. 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

Officials at Transport Scotland meet regularly with ScotRail, other train operating companied and various rail stakeholders to discuss various matters. Staff access to toilets is an operational matter for train operating companies, as employers.

It is anticipated that services operated by MV Glen Sannox will commence in mid-January 2025 on the Troon to Brodick route.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the public has a clear understanding of the correct disposal methods for batteries and battery-containing products. While progress has been made in raising awareness, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to further improve public understanding and encourage proper recycling practices.

We are committed to working with local authorities, industry partners, and the other UK nations to enhance public awareness campaigns and ensure that information on battery disposal is widely accessible and easily understood. Correct disposal involves taking batteries to designated recycling points, such as those found at supermarkets, local recycling centres, or household waste recycling facilities, rather than disposing of them in general waste bins where they can pose environmental and safety risks. Guidance on how to properly dispose of batteries can be found here

As part of this effort, we are exploring ways to update recycling regulations and improve infrastructure, ensuring the availability of convenient recycling options. This will complement public education initiatives aimed at fostering greater awareness of the importance of correct disposal and the locations of appropriate facilities.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) uses the national waiting times datamart to collect electronic patient records covering the waits that patients experience waiting for treatment as an inpatient or day case under the Treatment Time Guarantee. This data source can be used routinely to identify the specialty of treatment. However, these records are unable to accurately capture procedural level data.

More detailed information on the procedure(s) that is planned or undertaken for a patient will be held locally by NHS Boards.

Following reports from members of the public on 11 November of a number of dead fish found in Linlithgow Loch, SEPA officers inspected the site on the morning of 12 November. During the inspection, no visible signs of pollution were identified and water quality samples, taken at various points around the loch, did not reveal any pollutants. SEPA is satisfied that there is no ongoing pollution incident within the loch.

The total number of NHS patients that have been treated in private (independent) hospitals in each of the last five financial years and reported to PHS is presented in the following table.

The Scottish Government is committed to preventing and mitigating psychological trauma and adversity. We are taking a wide range of actions to support the health, wellbeing and resilience of all those who have been negatively impacted by trauma throughout their lives. This includes:

• Working to address poverty, tackle harmful drug and alcohol use, support mental health, and reduce inequalities;
• Working to support the development of trauma-informed and responsive approaches in a wide range of services and settings including in social work, healthcare, justice and education.

We are not aware of the Miracle Foundation’s calls for a bespoke service in NHS Lanarkshire. We are however working closely with partners in key sectors and services across Scotland to prevent psychological trauma and adversity, and mitigate their impacts. The Scottish Government and COSLA also have a joint ambition to develop trauma-informed and trauma-responsive workforces and services across Scotland. Since 2018, we have invested over £12 million in a National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP).

Through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults, and the Children and Young People’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports and Services funding, the Scottish Government has, since 2020, provided more than £130 million to local authorities and the third sector to deliver community-based mental health support. This includes funding for the Miracle Foundation to deliver mental health, wellbeing and resilience workshops for children and young people in North Lanarkshire, as well as the following projects for adults: Encouraging Growth & Resilience Mental Health Workshops; Diverse Community Development & Engagement; and Living Well in North Lanarkshire Community Groups.

Additionally, Scottish Government has provided funding to North Lanarkshire Council through Bairns’ Hoose Development Fund (Phase 2) which aims to support partnerships at an earlier stage of development to work towards the establishment of Bairns’ Hoose services.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that compassionate support is available to anyone affected by self-harm.

We believe our Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan, delivered jointly with COSLA, is a world first; its priorities are:

• Increasing knowledge and compassionate understanding of self-harm in order to reduce stigma and discrimination;
• Enhancing supports and services across Scotland for anyone affected by self-harm; and
• Improving and sharing data and evidence so we can continue to learn about self-harm and adapt our approach.
  

As part of our focus on supporting people who self-harm we have invested in a bespoke self-harm support service since 2022, with funding of £1.5m continuing over 2024-2026. The Scotland-wide service is delivered through Self-Harm Network Scotland, which is run by Penumbra. The service provides reliable and accessible advice and information to anyone aged 12 or over, who is affected by self-harm. Individual 1:1 peer support can be accessed via self-referral using the contact us form on their website. People who self-harm can receive 12-15 sessions of support which is recovery focussed, and person centred. This can be delivered by phone, video call, or via text.

Additionally, the website has a Live Chat service available from 6pm-10pm, 7 days a week. This is a confidential service, staffed by peer practitioners and trained volunteers who offer immediate support to people who self-harm, or are thinking of self-harming.

The service also offers fully funded self-harm awareness training to individuals and organisations, and loved ones group sessions to support family/friends and carers - who can also seek individual support from the service at any time.