Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-17253

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people experiencing severe pain linked to burning mouth syndrome while waiting on NHS waiting lists for tests and treatment.

The Scottish Government recognise that uncertainty while waiting can have an impact on health and wellbeing. That is why we are undertaking a new programme of work, ‘Waiting Well’, which aims to support an active waiting well period by providing access to good information, signposting to local services and community assets, and to professional support and services as required.

We also recognise the impact that long waiting times can have on a patient’s mental health. The Healthy living | NHS inform page provides advice and tools which includes information on mental wellbeing.

Question reference: S6W-16928

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) staffing, (b) budgetary and (c) departmental resources will be available to the Minister for Independence to undertake their specific responsibilities for (i) independence strategy, (ii) parliamentary co-ordination and liaison and (iii) communication with people, businesses and organisations regarding devolution, independence and Scotland's constitutional future.

Question reference: S6W-17003

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what specific historical subjects and periods are covered in any education modules in the Curriculum for Excellence that focus on the British Empire.

As set out in the answer to parliamentary question S6W-16999 on 2 May 2023, within the broad general education phase there is the opportunity to teach the topic of the British Empire within the people, past event and societies section of social studies, and in the senior phase, there is an opportunity to teach the topic of the British Empire within the History qualifications, for example through the ‘Migration and Empire’ and ‘Atlantic Slave Trade’ topics.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6W-16973

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00020 by Ash Denham on 27 May 2021, how many fatalities have resulted from house fires in the last 12 months.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) 2021-2022 Incident Statistics outline that the total number of fatal casualties from fires in dwellings during 2021-2022 was 30. As further information may yet come to light, for example from coroners reports, this figure is subject to change.

SFRS Fire and Rescue Incident statistics are published annually and include figures on fire fatalities and trends. These can be found here https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about-us/fire-and-rescue-statistics.aspx .

Question reference: S6W-16992

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S6W-00020 by Ash Denham on 27 May 2021, how many fatalities have resulted from house fires since 2020-21, and what assessment it has carried out of the statistics.

According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Incident Statistics, in 2020-2021 the total number of dwelling fire fatalities was 46. For 2021-22 the total number of fatal casualties from fires in dwellings were 30.

SFRS Fire and Rescue Incident statistics are published annually and include figures on fire fatalities and trends. These can be found here https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about-us/fire-and-rescue-statistics.aspx .

Any death from fire is one too many and that is why effective fire safety, to prevent fires and reduce their impact, remains a priority for the Scottish Government and SFRS. Whilst fire safety priority groups, themes and actions are operational matters for SFRS, the Scottish Government actively supports measures to reduce fires and fire fatalities.

Question reference: S6W-17050

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 14 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) investigate and (b) improve NHS treatment pathways for those experiencing chronic urinary tract infections, in light of reports of patients in England and Wales turning to private clinics due to a lack of specialist treatment being available through the NHS.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS healthcare workers in Scotland to follow best practice when providing care for people with UTIs. In support of this, guidelines on management of suspected UTIs were developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in 2020. These support clinicians to provide advice to patients and carers on appropriate treatment, risks and lifestyle and behaviour issues which can support management and prevention of UTIs.

We have supported the development of many urinary tract infection (UTI) resources to support people with these conditions and reduce the risk of infection. This includes evidence-based information and support available on the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of UTIs on NHS Inform . We have also supported local access to support through the development of Pharmacy First in community pharmacies across Scotland which allows women with less complex UTIs to access free advice or treatment where appropriate .

In addition, we continue to work intensively with NHS Boards to maximise capacity and to clear remaining waits as soon as possible, with a specific focus on specialities and areas where there are greater numbers of people waiting, including Urology.

Our Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan , published on 30 November 2021, and backed by £70m investment , focusses on key areas such as Balancing Demand and Capacity; Workforce Training and Development; and Infrastructure Innovation and Redesign. This will be achieved through the implementation of key actions that are focused on reducing the waiting times back to the 6-week target during the lifetime of this Parliament.

The Renewal Plan will develop and implement clinical pathways that optimise the value of endoscopy and urology diagnostics in each patient's care, in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).

Question reference: S6W-17071

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the decision of Glasgow City Council to write off school meal debt, and whether it will commit funding to help other local authorities introduce similar measures.

Question reference: S6W-17074

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the opening of overdose prevention centres.

Following detailed partnership working between the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS), facilitated by the Scottish Government, details of a new service specification have been developed and shared with COPFS.

The specification, which seeks to meet the parameters set out in the Lord Advocate’s statement from November 2021, will now be considered by COPFS.

If appropriate, it will then be referred to the Lord Advocate for consideration of any related statement of prosecution policy

We have worked carefully with partners to help them develop a sustainable approach which will allow for any such facility to operate to maximum effect.

Parliament will be notified when further updates become available.

Question reference: S6W-17070

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities to discuss school meal debt.

Question reference: S6W-17073

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities to discuss the roll-out of universal free school meal pilot schemes in secondary schools.

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