- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to SARS-CoV-2 swabs that underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and the likely source of transmission was identified, what infection prevention and control action was taken as a result of the WGS data, in each month since March 2020.
Answer
This is a matter for Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland, SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences for Scottish patients are analysed by the Bioinformatics team within PHS and evidence based guidance on IPC is provided by ARHAI Scotland. The information is not held centrally and I have asked them to respond separately.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don on 26 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13489 by Clare Haughey on 19 January 2023, whether it will provide an update on the development of a Graduate Apprenticeship in Social Work.
Answer
The Scottish Government remain committed to investing in the professional development of our valued social services workforce. A Graduate Apprenticeship for the profession is part of a range of options in consideration to widen access into social work. Officials are working with sector partners over the summer to provide Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council with updated evidence of employer interest and demonstration of the added value of an additional work-based qualification route for the social work profession in Scotland by Autumn 2023.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of Lord Braid's opinion on the judicial review of the City of Edinburgh Council's short-term lets licensing policy, what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities regarding the possible implications for other short-term let licensing schemes in Scotland.
Answer
We continue to engage regularly with stakeholders including COSLA, SOLAR and licensing authorities. We have highlighted the JR decision to licensing authorities and it is for them to consider this in the context of their own local policies.
During the development of short-term lets regulations between 2019 and 2021, we considered alternatives to licensing including whether regulations (made under Part 8 of the 2004 Act) might extend landlord registration to cover short-term lets. These alternatives were found to be unsuitable and could not deliver on all aspects of our short-term lets policy. A significant disadvantage of using a system designed for a different purpose is it imposes constraints on short-term lets regulation, and we consider it an integral aspect for local areas to be able to include additional conditions to address issues relevant to individual cases and local areas. Using the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, in particular, would also have had broader implications for short-term lets in the context of other legislation, for example the Tenancy Deposit Scheme regulations and Letting Agent Regulation, as well as restricted appeals to be dealt with by the Housing Tribunal, which would not have been sustainable.
Development of the short-term lets licensing legislation took place over four years with extensive consultation and engagement with stakeholders. This included through three consultations. Alternatives were considered but these do not provide the same level of provision as licensing. The approach that was taken provides powers to local authorities to set additional conditions to regulate the short-term let sector to empower them to implement a system that works for their area, which addresses the local needs and concerns of each local authority.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it provided powers to local authorities to set additional conditions to regulate the short-term let sector, but not for the long-term market, including in relation to a recognised standard of assurance about the safety status of the accommodation.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19525 on 19 July 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 .
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it did not consider the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 to be the most appropriate means of regulating the short-term let sector, in the same manner as private rented landlords.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19525 on 19 July 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 .
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many staff have completed the National Endoscopy Training Programme to date.
Answer
The National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) offers a range of training packages to improve the quality of endoscopy care for patients in Scotland, helping to provide the clinical capacity needed to reduce Endoscopy and Cancer waiting times. This includes:
- Immersion Training
- Basic Endoscopy Skills Courses
- Train the Trainer Course
- Upskilling for Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy Non-Technical Skills (ENTS)
- National Assistant Practitioner Programme
As of 31 May 2023, over 380 staff have participated in NETP programmes, helping to develop the endoscopy workforce in a coordinated ‘Once for Scotland’ approach.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering implementing formal protocols for risk stratification of patients requiring oncology services, in line with protocols put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Answer
The Scottish Government is not considering implementing formal protocols for risk stratification of patients requiring oncology services.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the final report of the independent review into audiology, which was announced on 21 January 2022 and whose terms of reference state that it plans to report over a nine-month period from May 2022 to March 2023.
Answer
The final report is currently going through the publication process and the Scottish Government is confident that this, and any associated recommendations, will be published in August 2023.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any interim reports from the independent review into audiology, which was announced on 21 January 2022, and what action it has taken on the basis of any such reports.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not received any interim reports from the Independent Review into Audiology.
However, given the serious nature of this issue the Scottish Government has been clear that action needs to be taken before the final report from the Independent Review is published. As such, the Scottish Government is already engaging with senior leadership in all Health Boards to seek assurances there are robust structures in place to deliver audiology services safely and effectively, and that Boards are sufficiently prepared to take forward any recommendations when they are published.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what modelling has taken place to understand future oncology workforce needs over the next 10 years, and how many oncologists are estimated to be required.
Answer
As committed to in the National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care, we undertook a data collection exercise to inform future decisions about workforce investment in 2022. This has informed actions in the new Cancer Action Plan for Scotland 2023-2026 including establishing and delivering the Oncology Transformation Programme. It also includes and action to ‘Complete a workforce review of key professions in cancer services, including modelling, to inform recruitment, training and allocation’.
The Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group (SSoTTG) is currently undertaking its annual review of medical training numbers and will be making recommendations to Scottish Minsters later this year for expansion taking place in 2024.
