Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14895 on 6 March 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

Decisions relating to the operational delivery of the qualifications, including appeals, are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

While alternative approaches were adopted in 2020, 2021 and 2022, these were temporary, emergency measures in response to the pandemic and the specific circumstances in each of those years.

SQA arrived at the appeals approach for 2023 based on an extensive evaluation of the 2022 arrangements and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and learners.

Alternative evidence will be considered if a learner is unable to attend their exam, for example through illness or bereavement or whose performance in the examination may have been affected by personal circumstances, through the Exam Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service.

Cemre have signed an agreement with Kongsberg for Fins Stabilisers with the production facility in Dunfermline. Neither the Scottish Government, nor CMAL as procuring authority, have details of the value of this commercial contract between the manufacturer and Cemre. Further information can be found at the attached link:

https://www.kongsberg.com/maritime/about-us/news-and-media/news-archive/2022/contract-to-supply-aquarius-50-retractable-fin-stabilisers/

David Lowrie is currently in the Acting Chief Executive Officer post until 31 March 2024. He is currently contracted to work 3 days a week.

Remuneration packages for the Chief Executive Officer post within Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd can be found on the their website via the following link:- Who we are — Scottish Rail Holdings

We have no current plans to legislate on (a) collection and reporting of data related to, (b) management of and (c) release of non-native gamebirds. However, as outlined in response to S6W-14758 on 1 March 2023, we plan to gather further information on the impact of non-native gamebird releases.

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

The Scottish Government meets regularly with Circularity Scotland at Ministerial and official levels.

If businesses have any concerns or questions regarding DRS, they should contact Circularity Scotland in the first instance. They can do this via their website or their dedicated helpline.

The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing information of public transport to improve, awareness, accessibility and support modal shift. That is why the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 includes provisions to set regulations with regards to the sharing of bus service information. Legislation is one part of the solution and we are progressing options which will inform the development of regulations and speed up enhancing information provision, recognising the technological advancements and operators positive participation. For example, we are procuring the next generation digital travel data services that sit behind Traveline Scotland and other journey planner providers, which will support enhanced data on fares, real-time information, accessibility and emissions. We are engaging with our counterparts in the Department for Transport and Welsh Government with regards to their Bus Open Data Regulatory activity, to ensure compatibility and avoid duplication or burden for those operators delivering both sides of the border.

We provide information and resources on the use of Anticipatory Care Plans to professionals, patients, and their families to ensure people get the right care in the right place at the right time. In 2021, Healthcare Improvement Scotland developed the Anticipatory Care Planning Toolkit consisting of a 4-step model, guidance, and resources for health professionals.

NHS Education for Scotland has educational resources for professionals delivering training about shared decision-making and anticipatory care planning (Realistic Conversations).

The Heart Failure Hub has endorsed, and is supporting the dissemination of, Patient and Health Care Professional Cardiac Supportive Palliative Care resources developed by the British Society for Heart Failure - Patient info and HCP resources — British Society For Heart Failure (bsh.org.uk)

The National Integrated Workforce Strategy published in 2019 committed to increase the Cardiac Physiologist workforce, thereby increasing capacity to carry out diagnostic testing, by supporting an additional 30 training places on the 4 year BSc course in Clinical Physiology.

Over the next 3-5 years we will also focus on increasing the workforce by promoting recruitment into Scientist Training Programmes and Practitioner BSC Programmes” We have supported 17 new practitioners through the 4 year BSc Course and 13 new Clinical Scientists.

More recently in 2022, the Clinical Physiology Executive Board has scoped and collected data on all physiology science services. The information that has been garnered from this exercise will feed into the wider strategic piece of work in relation to Healthcare Science education and training.

I replied to a similar question from the member on 3 November 2022 (S6W-11386) providing details from 1999-2000 to 2021-2022. I have included in the following table the information for 2022-2023 following the Spring Budget Revision.