Chamber and committees

These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.

PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.

These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.

PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.

The figures contained within the Supply Chain Development Statements (SCDS) are expected to change across the term of the lease options as projects mature and the supply chain develops.

Compared with the last updates in 2023, developers have maintained or increased their commitments in Scotland with only two projects reducing commitments. The CampionWind project has returned its site option to Crown Estate Scotland as has Arven South.

We continue to work with CES, developers and industry to identify trends which can help Scottish Government and our delivery partners target support where it can have the greatest impact and maximise value to Scotland.

Under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004, education authorities are responsible for identifying and meeting the additional support needs of children in early learning and childcare (ELC) settings. In line with the National Standard, we expect local authorities and settings to work together to support children with additional support needs to access their funded ELC hours. The Funding Follows the Child approach enables families to access provision in the public, private or third sectors.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02042 on 18 August 2026. 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.

We expect all women giving birth in Scotland, including those living in rural and island communities, to be supported and safe. The recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection of acute maternity services at the Balfour Hospital in NHS Orkney showcased many areas of good practice and highlighted the resilience and adaptability of island boards.

On the 11th of June, the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Care made a statement to Parliament setting out the plan for an independent Review of Maternity Services. The principles of this Review include a focus on: maternity services in rural and island areas across Scotland and the experiences of women living there. This review will be fast paced and forward looking.

I have also commissioned a survey of all remote, rural and island maternity services earlier this year. The responses from this, alongside national audit data, will form part of the Review and ensure future service provision takes into account the needs of those living in rural and island communities.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

The scheme has been managed by Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”). Details of the eligibility criteria and the application process have been made available on the ADS website since the launch of the Scheme. Additionally, ADS have utilised the heating oil and liquid petroleum gas supplier network and have contacted over 1,600 third sector organisations to raise awareness of the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.

ADS are also assisting individuals with any queries that they may have on the scheme or in making an application and I thank them for their on-going work.

We are now taking further steps to raise awareness and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need.

I met with the Chief Executive and Medical Director of NHS Highland on 18 August 2026. This meeting discussed the plans in place for current patients and the long term vision for sustainability of oncology provision within the region.

Our approach to expansion will involve close collaboration with local authorities, including on provision for children with additional support needs, to ensure that the needs of all children are met.

Service delivery, including managing hospital capacity, is a local responsibility for territorial health boards.

The Scottish Government continues to fund the NHS Scotland Cancer Collaborative to host the National Scottish Mesothelioma Network. This network is comprised of clinicians from across Scotland working to share best practice and to provide for high quality clinical care, information and support to all patients wherever they live in the country and ensure all patients have equitable and efficient access to care.