Chamber and committees

The Modernising Patient Pathway Programme Coeliac Disease Pathway Test of Change Final Report, September 2020 estimates that the incidence of diagnosed Coeliac Disease is 1% of the population in Scotland with 7-8 people remaining undiagnosed for every person diagnosed.

The Scottish Government does not hold that information: while patients can always request to see a particular GP, it is up to GP practices how they facilitate this and GP practices are not required to share this information with their Health Boards or the Scottish Government.

As the member will know, rail accessibility is reserved to the UK Government. However, Transport Scotland continues to develop opportunities, where possible, to deliver accessibility improvements within larger projects, such as at Carstairs, and additionally at Pitlochry, Aviemore, Kingussie and Nairn stations.

A list of railway stations in Scotland, including accessibility categorisation, is available on the ScotRail website. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/20221123/vW4AP--fp0CW1OEJTomvU8Old-7vG-_dxpytivxd8kA/in429_atp_station-accessibility_info_april_2022.v5.pdf

Since ScotRail’s publication of this information, Croy and Johnstone have been made fully accessible and two new fully accessible stations were opened at Reston and Inverness Airport. Of the 361 Scottish Stations, 181 have step free access to one platform and 42 have no step free access.

As part of the Scottish Government’s response to the ongoing cost of living crisis, ScotRail fares were frozen until the end of March 2023 to support rail users.

The ScotRail fares freeze has been implemented alongside the extended support for the bus industry through the Network Support Grant Plus (NSG+). The recent extension of NSG+ included a fares freeze for participating bus operators until the end of March 2023. This was part of a cross-modal package of support, which includes the freeze on ferry fares on the Northern Isles and Clyde & Hebrides ferry networks until October, to keep public transport fares stable both in level and relative to each other.

Given this and the continuing uncertainty around recovery paths following the pandemic, we have not specifically examined the impact on the bus sector of the ScotRail fares freeze. Transport Scotland has, however, kept regular track of demand across modes. Throughout 2022-23, bus and rail demand have moved closely in step with each other, other than where rail demand was impacted by industrial action.

This situation will change with the introduction of the removal of peak rail fares trial during the next financial year. Transport Scotland is putting steps in place to include the impact of the pilot on the bus system as part of the evaluation of the trial.

The Network Support Grant Plus was always a temporary fund to support operators to recover from the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. It has been extended on two occasions since June 2022. Scotland, like the rest of the UK, operates a de-regulated bus market due to decisions taken by the UK Government in the 1980s. This means that bus operators must return to a commercially sustainable model, and adapt their networks to account for the new travel patterns.

Notwithstanding, the Scottish Government continues to provide support through the Network Support Grant, which keeps fares more affordable and networks more extensive than would otherwise be the case. I have committed to review all funding to bus operators to ensure it is delivering best value to the taxpayer. This review will include an exploration of further conditionality being applied to Government subsidy in future.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15876 on 24 March 2023. 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 National Records of Scotland (NRS) are responsible for the Scottish Register of Tartans website.

NRS has no immediate plans to update the user interface of the Scottish Register of Tartans website but will be considering the Scottish Register of Tartans website provision along with other NRS website provision as they develop their digital strategy.

The Memorandum of Understanding has no fixed term and can be terminated at any time by NatureScot.

We will consult with stakeholders and the public this year to gather and consider their views on future changes to speed limit policies and speed management measures.

The Scottish Government will look to publish the findings and conclusions thereafter.

NHS employers should take steps to ensure that wherever possible staff have access to nutritious food, out of hours catering and rest spaces.

In March 2023 we confirmed funding to Health Boards for the purchase of small hot food appliances for all hospital Doctors in Training.

In 2021, the Scottish Government made £12 million available to the NHS workforce, including funding for practical support such as access to hot food and drinks.

New ‘EnergyPods’ were introduced at Victoria Hospital in Fife, providing staff with the opportunity to boost their energy and take time out with a personalised guided power nap in comfortable surroundings. We are reviewing the feedback from this pilot and considering next steps.