- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the inclusion of a right to palliative care is within the scope of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2024 by Liam McArthur MSP (Liberal Democrats). As such, this is a Member's Bill, not a Scottish Government Bill.
As with all Bills, at Stage 2 of the Bill’s passage through Parliament it is for the Convener of the lead Committee to make a decision on the admissibility of any amendment put forward.
At Stage 3, it would be for the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer to make decisions on admissibility.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that Ferguson Marine reportedly undertakes sub-contract work for BAE Systems on the Type 26 frigate programme, and how this sits with its reported policy of not funding munitions.
Answer
The aerospace, defence, and shipbuilding sectors play a vital role in supporting jobs and driving economic growth across Scotland. We are committed to promoting manufacturing and innovation, and Ministers continue to engage with businesses in these sectors as part of that commitment. Ferguson Marine's (FMPG) work for BAE Systems is consistent with the Scottish Government’s policy that public money is not used to support the manufacture of munitions.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it currently funds any research into topical steroid withdrawal, and, if this is not the case, whether it plans to do so.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO) supports open competitive grant and fellowship schemes for applied health research in Scotland across a wide remit that is inclusive of consideration of applications for funding for research relating to skin conditions such as topical steroid withdrawal. Applications submitted to these schemes are assessed through independent expert peer-review with funding recommendations made by independent expert committees. No projects for topical steroid withdrawal are currently being funded. CSO also invests in NHS Research Scotland to support NHS Boards host and participate in public, charity, and industry sector funded clinical studies and trials. This includes a Dermatology Research Network to support the delivery of clinical research on skin conditions. While a number of clinical studies of treatments for skin conditions are being supported, none relate specifically to topical steroid withdrawal.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices are not currently participating in the national digital dermatology pathway.
Answer
As of May 2025, all Territorial Boards had begun implementation of the national digital dermatology pathway with 64% of GP practices across Scotland having access to the system. Boards are currently finalising optimisation plans to ensure images are included in new dermatology referrals and to embed image-led photo-triage within their dermatology service.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 12 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reasons for there being more private hospital admissions in 2024 than in any previous year on record, according to recent Private Healthcare Information Network data.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 12 June 2025
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government when it will recommence the GP sustainability loan scheme.
Answer
The Scottish Government resumed the GP Sustainability Loan Scheme in February 2025.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4.5 million of funding for specialist support for long-term conditions announced in the Programme for Government 2025-26 will be allocated, broken down by (a) conditions it will cover, (b) services it will prioritise and (c) geographical focus.
Answer
Work is ongoing to determine how the additional £4.5 million announced in the 2025-26 budget to deliver new specialist support will be allocated to NHS boards, what conditions it will cover and the services it will prioritise. It is expected that NHS boards will develop support based on their understanding of local population need and synergies with existing local service provision.
We want this money to have maximum impact and are working closely and carefully with boards across Scotland to allocate it as quickly and effectively as possible.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Scottish Enterprise has reportedly refused funding to Rolls-Royce Submarines, resulting in the potential loss of jobs.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 June 2025
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 27 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health patients who are experiencing delayed discharge are waiting for a place in supported accommodation.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on where mental health patients specifically are awaiting discharge to, or the reason for delay.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) publishes an annual report and summary of occupied bed days and census figures. The report includes the total number of bed days occupied by people delayed in their discharge from hospital and the average number of delayed discharges across monthly census points. PHS published the latest release in December 2024 covering the financial year 2023-24 (available by visiting Delayed discharges in NHS Scotland annual summary of occupied bed days and census figures). The next publication is expected in June 2025.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 27 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many supported accommodation places are available for mental health patients being discharged from hospital, and how this compares with each of the last five years.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of supported accommodation places that are available.
Supported accommodation is provided by a range of providers, including local authorities, the third sector, and the independent sector. The number of places available will be known locally by partnerships or health boards.