Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-07342

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the decision to review the opening hours for the out-of-hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital, and what discussions it has had regarding this with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Question reference: S5W-07341

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether reducing the opening hours for the out-of-hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital would contravene the commitments made in the Vision for the Vale.

The Scottish Government has been consistently clear that we see a bright future for the Vale of Leven hospital, which plays a crucial role in the local healthcare system.

We have sought and received assurances from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the continued provision of out of hours primary care services across the Clyde area, including at the Vale, is a key priority for the Health Board.

In November 2015, the Scottish Government published the report “Pulling together: transforming urgent care for the people of Scotland” which highlighted the need to think anew about what is best for both urgent care for the people of Scotland and that this would require transformational change across many sectors.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are undertaking a review of their Out of Hours Primary Care services in line with the report's recommendations and we expect the review to undertake meaningful engagement with the public in the shaping and delivery of locality based services.

Question reference: S5W-07343

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde closed the out-of-hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital on (a) 5, (b) 12 and (c) 19 February 2017, and what discussions it has had regarding this with the NHS board.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has advised that closure of the Out-of-Hours service at the Vale of Leven Hospital on the 5, 12 and 19 February 2017 was a temporary measure taken to protect patient care due to staff shortage.

The Hospital continued to have medical and nursing staff on site in the minor injuries service. Patients requiring emergency medical attention were treated by this service.

For those who needed to see a primary care service, but it was deemed not to be an emergency, transport was offered so that they could be transferred to an alternative out of hours service.

Question reference: S5W-07349

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to ensure that there is no permanent reduction in the opening hours of the out-of-hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Question reference: S5O-00756

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s review of GP out-of-hours services.

Question reference: S5O-00707

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing for the paddle steamer, Maid of the Loch.

The Scottish Government acknowledges the work that the Loch Lomond Steamship Company is undertaking to bring this iconic vessel back into operation. Scottish Government officials, along with representatives from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise have offered to collectively meet the owners of the paddle steamer to discuss public sector engagement.

The National Park Authority also continues to work closely with the company, providing advisory support and access to facilities. As part of this support, the National Park Authority will be reviewing the piers and infrastructure around Loch Lomond to see how best to accommodate the Maid of the Loch in the future.

Question reference: S5W-06736

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of changing the eligibility criteria for free bus travel on women born in the 1950s who are also affected by the increase in the state pension age.

Over the coming months, we will be engaging with stakeholders across Scotland to listen carefully to their views so that we may understand the social, equality and other impacts of possible changes that might be made to the scheme.

This early period of engagement will lead to a more formal written consultation later in the year on ways in which we might help ensure the longer-term sustainability of concessionary travel.

I do not wish to pre-empt the conclusions of those discussions. However. if the formal consultation includes options to change the eligibility criteria for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, we will consider the potential impacts on groups that might be affected as part of the consultation process.

I would add that I will be meeting representatives of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) in the near future to discuss the proposed consultation.

Question reference: S5W-06737

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017

In terms of the The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006, all persons aged 60 or over are eligible for free bus travel.

In the coming months the Scottish Government will be consulting on ways in which to ensure the longer term sustainability of the Concessionary Travel Scheme, through initial engagement with stakeholders leading to a formal open and transparent public consultation later in the year. I do not wish to pre-empt the conclusions of those discussions.

Question reference: S5W-06981

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe QC on 17 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has received a report from Police Scotland regarding the Caroline Glachan case.

I refer to the questions raised by Ms Baillie MSP for Dumbarton addressed to the Scottish Government in relation to the case of Caroline Glachan. I respond as head of the system of prosecution and investigation of deaths. Caroline Glachan was murdered on 25 August 1996. Her remains were found near the west bank of the river Leven close to Place of Bonhill, Renton, Alexandria. She was aged 14. The circumstances of her death have been the subject of a number of reports submitted by the police to the Crown throughout the years. To date no one has been charged with her murder .There are no plans to commence proceedings at this time. There is insufficient evidence to do so. The police and Caroline’s family made a plea for information on 8 January this year to coincide with what would have been her
35th birthday. As part of that appeal it was made clear any new evidence or lines of enquiry would be pursued and that any opportunities available as a result of advances in forensic science would be applied. The results of these enquiries will be reported to the Crown by the police. The matter will be dealt with by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service’s Cold Case Review Unit, which is responsible for such cases. Caroline’s family will be advised of any developments.

Question reference: S5W-06980

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe QC on 17 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service plans to commence proceedings in the Caroline Glachan case.

I refer to the questions raised by Ms Baillie MSP for Dumbarton addressed to the Scottish Government in relation to the case of Caroline Glachan. I respond as head of the system of prosecution and investigation of deaths. Caroline Glachan was murdered on 25 August 1996. Her remains were found near the west bank of the river Leven close to Place of Bonhill, Renton, Alexandria. She was aged 14. The circumstances of her death have been the subject of a number of reports submitted by the police to the Crown throughout the years. To date no one has been charged with her murder .There are no plans to commence proceedings at this time. There is insufficient evidence to do so. The police and Caroline’s family made a plea for information on 8 January this year to coincide with what would have been her
35th birthday. As part of that appeal it was made clear any new evidence or lines of enquiry would be pursued and that any opportunities available as a result of advances in forensic science would be applied. The results of these enquiries will be reported to the Crown by the police. The matter will be dealt with by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service’s Cold Case Review Unit, which is responsible for such cases. Caroline’s family will be advised of any developments.

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