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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-15487

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the Independent Living Fund was transferred from the UK Government, and, at the point of transfer, (a) how many people were in receipt of funding and (b) what the total budget was.

Question reference: S6W-15261

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to set out its strategic intent for the delivery of an equitable genomics health service in Scotland, and its genomics strategy and implementation plan.

In partnership with the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomics Medicine (SSNGM), we have been developing our Strategic Intent for Genomics Medicine which will be published in the coming weeks.

While early in its’ development, we will also publish our first Genomics Strategy for Scotland and associated implementation plan in the course of 2023.

We will continue to engage and seek input from the wide range of stakeholders under the SSNGM through the development of these documents.

Question reference: S6W-15402

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to address the reported reduction in the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments.

Official statistics for the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme will be published this Spring, with data up to March 2022. It is therefore too early to assert what uptake for 2021/22 will show, however the Scottish Government is aware that previous years have highlighted the need to improve uptake.

Both the Scottish Government and the Cervical Screening Programme encourage all those eligible for cervical screening to go for a test when invited, and for all those eligible to take up the offer of the HPV vaccine when invited to.

We continue to work with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to support their vital campaign work on cervical cancer, having awarded £456,000 in funding to highlight the benefits of screening and to better understand barriers to uptake.

Finally, we understand that increasing uptake alone is not enough, and that we must also strive for equality of uptake. Work is currently underway on a national Equity in Screening Strategy, which is being led by National Screening Oversight. The strategy will provide a focus and commitment to tackle inequalities in screening, to achieve equity of access for all eligible individuals across the whole screening pathway. It will consider the main causes of inequalities and will outline initial actions to address barriers and facilitate access of underserved groups.

Question reference: S6W-15263

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the alignment of the processes for medicines approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and the commissioning of companion diagnostics in NHS laboratories, to avoid patients being denied access to SMC-accepted precision treatments due to the NHS not having the necessary associated laboratory test in place.

The Scottish Government recognises that an improved streamlined process for the implementation of new genetic tests linked to a Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved medicine is required. The SMC currently provides early information to National Services Division (NSD) on cancer medicines in clinical development that are expected to require a companion diagnostic through regular horizon scanning reports. To support financial and service planning, the SMC also provides Health Boards – in confidence - with information on medicines that may require a companion diagnostic through regular Forward Look reports, which include emerging new medicines, including Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).

A key function of the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomics Medicine (SSNGM) is to horizon scan for new medicines to prevent delays for patients getting access to advanced therapies. To support this, the SSNGM has established Scottish Genomics Testing Assessment Groups (SGTAG) for cancer and rare disease. The SGTAG will work with the SMC and others to approve the availability of companion diagnostic tests in the genetic laboratories.

Question reference: S6W-15260

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government which precision medicines and treatments have been accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use by NHS Scotland where the companion diagnostic test is not currently offered by NHS Scotland laboratories.

The following table details the precision medicines accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium where the companion diagnostic test is not yet offered by NHS Scotland laboratories, and the anticipated roll-out of the appropriate test.

Validation is required for every companion diagnostic test to ensure the accuracy of the test meets the indication required. A number of tests have completed validation and are currently awaiting implementation throughout the course of 2023. We continue to work with key partners, such as the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomics Medicine (SSNGM), to ensure there is capacity within laboratories for companion diagnostics tests.

Medicine	SMC number	Notes
Entrectinib	SMC 2295	Validation* complete, with roll out in Q2 2023.
Selpercatinib	SMC 2370	Validation complete, with roll out in Q1 2023.
Olapirib*	SMC 2366	Validation complete, with phased roll out from Q1 2023.
Olaparib**	SMC 2368	Unavailable through NHS Laboratories, but patients can still access the medicine.
Dostarlimab	SMC 2404	Companion diagnostic testing currently unavailable.
Atezolizimab	SMC 2492	Companion diagnostic testing currently unavailable.
Pemigatinib	SMC 2399	Companion diagnostic testing currently unavailable to support this medicine, however, the SSNGM will be considering in the near future.
Tepotinib	SMC 2535	Validation complete, roll out from 2023-24

*Olaparib (SMC2366) for the treatment of prostate cancer

**Olaparib (SMC2368) for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer requires two companion diagnostics tests in order for patients to access the treatment. One of the tests, BRCA, is available in NHS Scotland labs, however, the other, HRD, is not available due to its complexity. While testing isn’t available in NHS laboratories, it is available through an alternative provider ensuring patients can still access the medicine.

Question reference: S6W-15262

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure the input of (a) patients, (b) clinicians, (c) scientists and (d) industry to inform the development of Scotland's genomics strategy and implementation plan.

The delivery of Scotland Genomics strategy is being overseen by the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine (SSNGM). The Network is supported by a Scottish Government funded transformation team which is led by a Consultant Clinical Scientist and supported by Clinical Leads for rare disease and cancer.

The Network draws on a wide pool of stakeholders including clinicians and scientists. Many of which are supporting us directly to shape The Strategy through various working groups.

The SSNGM Oversight Board has representation from Precision Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre who are a key link to the Precision Medicine industry in Scotland. However, discussions are ongoing to ensure industry is further represented and can input to the strategy development. In the meantime, we continue to discuss the direction and opportunities for genomics with a range of industry partners and cross-industry working groups including the Scottish Health Industry Partnership.

We committed to establishing a patient panel as part of the SSNGM and we are working with clinicians; patients support organisations and policy counterparts across the UK to learn from their experiences in this area. Until we have agreed a model with the SSNGM we will continue to engage with established groups such as Genetic Alliance UK, the Scottish Cancer Coalition, the Rare Disease Implementation Group and others with experience in this area.

Question reference: S6W-14909

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ministers are responsible for determining whether Scottish Water is meeting, or has met, its Principles of Charging policy and its Ministerial Objectives, or whether it has delegated this responsibility to the Water Industry Commission, and, if it has delegated responsibility, where the terms of any such delegation of responsibility to the Commission are set out, and under what powers the Scottish Ministers have made any such delegation.

The responsibilities of Scottish Ministers and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland are set out in the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, as amended. The Principles of Charging, available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/principles-of-charging-2021-2027/ , specify how Scottish Water is to charge for its services, together with the discounts, exemptions and reductions which must be applied.

Question reference: S6W-14887

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 1 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when Helensburgh Fire Station was first identified as requiring urgent capital maintenance due to having a flat roof constructed from reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC), and what work has been done at Helensburgh Fire Station since then to ensure that the site is safe for those who (a) work in and (b) visit the building.

Maintenance of its estate and the allocation of its capital budget is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The safety of its staff is paramount and SFRS are continuing to monitor the measures put in place to rectify the defects and support staff to deliver its service safely.

In 2019 an urgent issue was identified in relation to an obsolete method of roof construction (Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC). As soon as the defects were discovered (from May 2019 to 2020) action was immediately taken with temporary support (acrow props) to reinforce identified weak points and scaffolded out crash decks to catch roof collapses and minimise the risk of injury to occupants. All roofs are subject to quarterly inspections by building surveyors to monitor the condition/identify any deterioration. There has been no negative impact on SFRS operations from these sites.

Question reference: S6W-14888

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 1 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is of the refurbishment of Helensburgh Fire Station.

Maintenance of its estate and the allocation of its capital budget is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

SFRS is currently conducting an options appraisal exercise to identify the best and most economic options for the 14 fire stations identified with Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC) roof construction.

SFRS is also continuing to work with partner agencies to explore if there is potential for greater shared services across all of its estate and in particular those fire stations which require significant capital maintenance because of the defective RAAC roofing.

Question reference: S6W-14886

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 1 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to relocate Helensburgh fire station to another site, rather than refurbishing the existing building.