Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has been engaging with Health Boards regarding their current position in relation to job offers and supply. Health Boards remain committed to maximising opportunities for new qualified nurses to find employment.

We are committed to delivering on the priority in the Women's Health Plan (WHP) to improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment for endometriosis.

We know that, for many women, diagnosis time for endometriosis is not acceptable. It is vital that we improve care and support throughout the whole diagnosis process.

To do this a number of actions have been taken including:

• The development of the Endometriosis Care Pathway for Scotland which aims to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms.
• A NHS Education for Scotland (NES) training package and framework focused on menstrual health for general practice and others working in Primary Care.
• A NHS NES ‘Masterclass’ on endometriosis for healthcare professionals.
• Improving the information available for women and girls on endometriosis and menstrual health through our work with NHS Inform, Young Scotland, the ALLIANCE and Endometriosis UK.

We are working closely with our stakeholders across Scotland to understand the effectiveness of these workstreams and their impact upon reducing diagnostic times for endometriosis.

The Scottish Government commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to undertake a review to determine underlying causes of an increase in neonatal mortality in Scotland in 2021-22 and make recommendations for improvements in care.

The report, published in February 2024, found no evidence of systemic failures of maternity or neonatal care, unusual factors, or a cluster of any one factor that would account for the significant increase in neonatal deaths in 2021-22.

Following the publication, we are working with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and other partners on the recommendations of the review.

As the former First Minister reported to the member in answer to S6F-01607, the Scottish Government expects the Board of Scottish Water to take a proportionate position when setting charges; balancing affordability with critical investment needs to protect the quality of our drinking water and the environment.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting people in light of the rising costs of living and has already taken action on affordability of water charges; from 1 April 2021 – the start of the current 6-year regulatory period for the water industry - we increased the maximum discount under the water charges reduction scheme from 25% to 35% to support those struggling to pay their bills.

The answer to S6F-01607 is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament .

Mothers and Babies Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK), reports give us valuable insight into national and local rates of stillbirth and neonatal mortality. We expect all NHS Boards to carefully consider MBRRACE-UK reports, including their local reports, and undertake local reviews of services rated ‘red’ for stillbirth or neonatal death, and ensure that when deaths occur, any improvements are identified and acted on.

We will be writing to NHS Boards shortly to ensure that they have taken account of the MBRRACE-UK reports and to seek assurances in particular from Boards with higher-than-average rates that work is underway, or complete, to understand and learn from the possible factors which may have contributed to the reported increase.

Noting the answers previously provided to questions S6W-19916 on 31 July 2024, S6W-26193 and S6W-26194 on 28 March 2024 on this topic, I can confirm it remains our intent to review standard 7.1 (statement of sustainability) to consider further opportunities for building regulations to make a positive contribution to biodiversity within new developments. As this standard sets out additional voluntary actions a developer may adopt, it would promote but not require specific provisions, such as the use of swift bricks, in new buildings.

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 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones)(Scotland) Act was granted Royal Assent on 22 July 2024.

Commencement of the Act is subject to parliamentary procedure which requires a Scottish Statutory Instrument to be laid. The Scottish Government is therefore currently undertaking work to commence the provisions as soon as possible.

NHS Boards are responsible for implementing the National Code of Practice for GP premises.

The NHSScotland National Primary Care (GP) Premises Group has been set up to consider all matters relating to GP Premises including:

• Oversight of the implementation of the Code of Practice for GP Premises.
• Implementation of GP Sustainability Loans.
• Consideration and review of available guidance.
• Consideration of appropriate schedules of accommodation within Primary Care premises, and specifically that of General Practice occupied areas and how this may affect reimbursement.
• Provide a platform for the Scottish Government to present papers/proposals to the group.
• Provide a platform for the BMA to present papers to the group.
• Provide a platform for the NHS Boards to present papers to the group.
• Ensure the Rent Review Process is consistent and supports the intent of the GP contract where required.
• Standardise approaches, e.g. standardise leases across Scotland.

Health Boards are represented on a regional basis alongside the BMA, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders.

The Scottish Government is committed to promoting the rights of disabled people and ensuring that they benefit from all that we are doing to improve people’s lives. This includes ensuring that all serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans living in Scotland, as well as their families, are able to access the best possible care and support; enjoy their rights on an equal basis to others; and participate fully and lead their own lives.

Creative Scotland’s regularly funded organisations are contractually obliged to develop and implement Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans. This covers all aspects of the organisation including audiences and marketing. Creative Scotland are also involved in “All In”, a UK wide initiative from Arts Council England, developing a new UK arts access scheme for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people, representing the Scottish perspective.

VisitScotland’s website already provides information on the benefits for event organisers of engaging further in accessible tourism and how events can create their own access guides.

Regards to the development of a standardised booking system, the Scottish Government expects all relevant organisations to comply with the requirement of the Equality Act 2010 and relevant codes of practice published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and address their broader duties under UK health and safety and equalities legislation including the requirement for service providers to make reasonable adjustments in circumstances where a disabled person is placed at a substantial disadvantage compared with non-disabled people. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is an independent, and reserved public body, and therefore cannot be directed by Scottish Ministers.

Energy policy, including smart meter policy, is mostly reserved to the UK Government and telecommunications is wholly reserved.

Despite the limitations imposed by these reservations, the Scottish Government has taken the lead in addressing poor coverage by allocating its own resources to ensure Scotland's homes and businesses are not left behind.

The Scottish Government has invested over £600 million in the Reaching 100% (R100) programme – including the three R100 contracts and our R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – which will improve access to broadband services in Aberdeen and across Scotland. This will enable Scottish energy consumers to benefit from the advantages of smart meters, helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Scottish Government officials and Ministers continue to engage frequently with their UK counterparts and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the connectivity needs of the people of Scotland are being met.