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The recommendations of the 2015 Review of Public Health in Scotland (published in February 2016) identified the need for "a single, over-arching population health strategy for Scotland and clear priorities". This recommendation was translated into the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan (published in December 2016) as a commitment to "create a clear set of national public health priorities for Scotland as a whole". We aim to establish these national public health priorities in partnership with SOLACE and COSLA by the end of 2017.

There is currently no national waiting time treatment guarantee for accessing eating disorder services (for adults or children and adolescents).

Tackling obesity is a top priority for this Government, there are no quick fixes and it’s important we take the time to get our approach right. We will launch a wide ranging consultation this autumn which will take into account the views of stakeholders and interested parties, and thereafter publish a final strategy.

There is currently no separate national waiting time treatment guarantee for accessing eating disorder services (for adults or children and adolescents).

Clinical practice is a matter for clinicians and service delivery for Health Boards and Integration Authorities. Clinicians will use up to date clinical guidelines in providing care and treatment for eating disorders, including the recent NICE guidelines. This would also include the Recommendations for Management and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland (2006); and Royal College of Psychiatrists Management of Really Sick Patients with Anorexia Nervosa under 18 (2012) and for adults (2014).

The Scottish Government has no current plans to replicate in Scotland the Access and Waiting Time Standard for Children and Young People with an Eating Disorder in England

Tackling obesity is a top priority for this Government and we will consult on our new diet and obesity strategy this year. This will propose an ambitious, coherent package of action that will start to deliver the change we need to see. It is important we take the time to get our approach right. We will therefore continue to engage closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the food and drink industry, on their views of action most likely to secure improvement.

It is the responsibility of each NHS Board – including NHS Ayrshire and Arran – to plan their workforce to ensure the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care, delivered by the right professional at the right time.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran acknowledges the recent challenges they have experienced in recruiting to vacant Consultant posts in Geriatric Medicine.

The Board has assured me that they are fully redesigning their services for older people as part of their Transformational Change Programme. This work is being led on behalf of the Board by the North Ayrshire and Arran Health and Social Care Partnership.

In establishing a new Model of Care, the Board has filled a range of clinical posts, and is scheduled to interview for Consultant level staff in August, including the role of Clinical Director. In the interim, the Board is mobilising Consultant locum support to ensure patient safety is maintained at all times.

We are also developing a National Health and Social Care Workforce Plan to strengthen workforce planning practice, including within the Consultant workforce. We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders throughout this process and will publish the Plan soon.

Whilst we regularly discuss regeneration plans with Dumfries and Galloway Council it is the council which has the primary responsibility for, and lead role in implementing, plans in relation to the regeneration of Stranraer Waterfront.

In addition to a range of Scottish Government funding across Dumfries and Galloway, which has contributed to economic resilience across the area, Stranraer has specifically benefited from

£1.2million from Scottish Enterprise in relation to the Stranraer Waterfront since April 2006, with an additional £3million provided to various Stranraer studies and works prior to this date.

£790k from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund in 2009-10

£1.8million from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for the Stranraer Town Centre Regeneration Initiative in 2016-17 and

£987k from the RCGF for the Stranraer Millennium Centre in 2017-18.

We have also agreed to provide up to £6million to support Dumfries and Galloway Council with its plans in relation to the Stranraer Waterfront, subject to the Spending Review.

Scotland's strong ties with the North of England flourish. We continue to develop and strengthen these, identifying opportunities for greater practical co-operation. In 2013, we launched the Borderlands Initiative to facilitate cross border council discussions between Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council. The Initiative has help to cement social and economic links. We welcome the work being taken forward by the five councils to develop the initiative with proposals for a Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. We look forward to exploring those further with the councils to identify how we can support those ambitions and ensure that they support the inclusive growth and competitiveness of the South of Scotland.