Chamber and committees

Scottish Government standard Terms and Conditions of Contract require contractors to comply with all applicable national legislation and any applicable requirements of regulatory bodies as well as Good Industry Practice.

In addition to this, the Scottish Government uses the power of procurement to influence practice relating to a range of economic, social and environmental risks and opportunities. To achieve this, practical support for public bodies is available through the https://sustainableprocurementtools.scot/guidance/ platform, which provides a range of guidance and e-learning, including a methodology for identifying specific risks and opportunities such as fair work and health and safety in individual procurement projects. Fair work and Health and safety guidance is already available on the platform and the health and safety content in our guidance will be strengthened when we publish updated Fair Work First in Procurement guidance over the next couple of months.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). 81.25% is still a high fill rate for Paediatrics ST1in rounds 1 and 2 of 2023 recruitment. Within that context there will always be a small number of posts that will not fill. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST3 is a small specialty with only 2 posts advertised in 2023, therefore, as only 1 post has filled, the fill rate appears as 50%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology ST3 is a small specialty with only 1 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as this post has not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Scottish Ministers will consider the suitability of any measures proposed as compensation as part of a case for derogating from the habitats regulations at the appropriate stage in the process, if and when such a derogation case may be required. This applies to any closure of the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters which may be proposed as a compensation measure for offshore wind farm developments.

The number and location of fire appliances is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). SFRS is assessing the impact of the service changes on an on-going basis and will conduct a full public consultation on the package of measures during 2024 in advance of any of the changes being made permanent.

The number and location of fire appliances is an operational matter for SFRS.

NHS 24 call handlers are not medically trained, they are classed as healthcare support workers.

Callers to NHS 24 will initially have their symptoms triaged by a call handler before being passed on to a clinician within the Service or to another area of the health service best placed to meet their needs as appropriate.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-24197 on 19 January 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

The Scottish Government has no current intention to propose a debate in the Parliament on Public Petition PE1859: Retain falconers' rights to practise upland falconry in Scotland. We are aware this is being considered by the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee who have been taking evidence, and are best placed to consider the issue. Should the Committee deem it appropriate they may submit a report to the Scottish Parliament with a recommendation for debate. Details of the Committee’s consideration so far can be found here: PE1859 Retain falconer's rights to practise upland falconry in Scotland | Scottish Parliament Website .