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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S5W-24670

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 27 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what preventative measures it is taking to mitigate any impact on NHS Lothian services from the extra costs incurred in building the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

As set out in the answer to question S5W-24397 on 18 July 2019, the impact of the work required to complete the move to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, together with the requirement for improved performance over a number of areas, has placed significant pressure on the leadership capacity of NHS Lothian. The Board has therefore been placed at Level 3 of the NHS Board Performance Escalation Framework.

The Board has been asked to prepare a formal recovery plan and a package of tailored support has been made available to them in order to develop and implement their recovery plan. A timeframe for when services move to the new hospital is being developed. Until the move can take place, safe, effective and high quality services continue to be delivered from the existing site.

The answer to question S5W-24397 on 18 July 2019 is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/ormain.aspx

Question reference: S5W-24939

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 August 2019
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to better align long-term NHS workforce planning to address growth in patient need.

Question reference: S5W-24691

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the amount of training that infectious disease consultants receive on tick-borne diseases through the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Education Foundation (ILADEF) physician training programme.

Increasing awareness amongst healthcare professionals of the symptoms of Lyme disease is an on-going priority for the Lyme Borreliosis Group, which is part of the Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN). The group has produced a suite of educational resources to aid healthcare professionals in the early detection and treatment of Lyme disease which can be accessed here:https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/public-health/health-protection/gastrointestinal-infection-and-zoonoses/ticks-and-lyme-disease.aspx

On 14 June 2019 the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all NHS Health Boards, including Infectious Disease Consultants and GP Practices highlighting the availability of these resources. The letter shares current sources of public facing advice and information on Lyme disease and provides links to current guidance on diagnosis and management.

Question reference: S5W-24567

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred by each NHS board for an endoscopy in the independent sector in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S5W-24560

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been to access residential drug rehabilitation services in each year since 1999, broken down by alcohol and drug partnership.

Question reference: S5W-24566

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for an endoscopy has been in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.

ISD publish waiting times for endoscopies as part of the Diagnostics Waiting Times publication. The data published gives the number of people who are still waiting at the end of each month, and does not provide the completed waiting times for this test. Performance against the 6 week standard is only available from quarter ending June 2009.

All diagnostics data can be found on their website http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/index.asp

Question reference: S5W-24550

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many residential rehabilitation and detox services have been registered in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S5W-24553

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much each integration joint board has allocated to (a) alcohol and drug partnerships and (b) other services in each year since 1999.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24338 on 1 August 2019, from Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the total spend on alcohol and drug partnerships by integration authorities was in 2018-19.

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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-24551

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review breast screening for people aged over 80.

At the moment, there are no plans to extend the age range of women invited to take part in the Breast Screening Programme in Scotland. The Scottish Government is advised on all aspects of screening by the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC), an independent expert group who assess screening programmes against a robust set of criteria, before advising the NHS and Ministers in the UK. The UKNSC continues to monitor and consider all available evidence and recommendations and this will include the results of the cluster-randomised trial currently underway in England, when these are published.

The Breast Screening Programme in England is currently running a cluster randomised trial which is looking to extend the age range to 47-73. The trial began in 2009 and is still recruiting women. The main results of this trial are expected in the 2020s.

Question reference: S5W-24557

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a strategy for the early identification of and support for people with ADHD.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to develop a standalone strategy for the early identification of and support for people with ADHD. However, we recognise the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, and we are committed to improving access to CAMHS and psychological therapies for all those who need it. It is also important to note that the Vision and ambitions of the Mental Health Strategy articulate a population-level approach to improving mental health in Scotland, which apply equally to anyone with ADHD.

The Children and Young People’s Taskforce published its recommendations on 4 July 2019 which included a focus on investments that prioritise early intervention and prevention approaches. The Taskforce’s recommendations will be taken forward by the Children & Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme Board. The Board will be chaired jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA senior officials, and will report directly to the Minister for Mental Health and the COSLA Health and Social Care and Children and Young People spokespersons. There will be a focus on prevention, early intervention and promoting good mental health which will be underpinned by the values and principles of GIRFEC and will be responsive to local needs and systems. The first meeting of the new Board will take place on 22 August.