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Over the long term life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of changing trends. The issues are complex and relate to an ageing population, inequalities, deprivation and poverty.

We remain focused on addressing the underlying causes that drive health inequalities. Our alcohol prevention framework and our diet and healthy weight strategy are among the measures designed to help tackle some of the key issues.

Over the long term life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased. The latest data are of concern. We have a range of strategies to address inequalities in health and their underlying drivers. Health inequalities are a symptom of wider income inequality. That is why we have taken action such as setting in statute our ambition to eradicate child poverty, and outlining concrete action to make progress on this goal through our first Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Over the long term life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of changing trends. The issues are complex and relate to an ageing population, inequalities, deprivation and poverty.

We remain focused on addressing the underlying causes that drive health inequalities. Our alcohol prevention framework and our diet and healthy weight strategy are among the measures designed to help tackle some of the key issues.

The main purposes of ultrasound scans are to date pregnancy, chart the growth of the baby and provide antenatal screenings. Then at the more detailed scan at 20 weeks, to assess for any possible health problems. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is usually no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. At some scans the sonographer may be able to identify the sex of the baby, it is entirely at the Health Boards’ discretion whether they give out this information. We do not collect data on which Boards provide this information. There are no plans to change this policy at this time.

We are not aware of any cases where Boards have been subject to legal action regarding informing parents of the sex of their baby at ultrasound. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is generally no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. However, on some occasions it may be possible to give an indication of what the sex is and it is for Boards to decide whether to have a local policy on sharing this information. Any Boards that give this information will indicate to parents that the scan in not a conclusive test and may not be accurate.

Further discussion on the provision of independent advice on race equality, including any new Independent Race Equality Adviser, will take place when the Race Equality Action Plan Programme Board next meet on 4 March 2019. This will inform decisions by Ministers in due course. At that point a further update will be provided.

Shared positions have now been reached on all 4 areas of reform and Staff Side are currently consulting their members on the proposals. Any agreed changes to NHS Scotland staff terms and conditions, will be set out in guidance issued from the Scottish Government. The intention is to apply these from 1 April 2019, where appropriate.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20937 on 13 February 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20937 on 13 February 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20937 on 13 February 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx