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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-11927

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many additional haematologists are required in response to the projected rise in demand for blood cancer services.

NHS Scotland Health Boards determine consultant requirements locally, based on their service provision responsibilities and service configuration needs. Scottish Government workforce planning guidance requires Boards to take a demand-led approach by determining future staffing requirements in line with healthcare needs within their locality.

Under this Government, however, the number of Consultant Haematologists working in NHS Scotland has increased by 18.9% or by 15.5 WTE, from 82.1 WTE as at September 2006 to 97.6 WTE as at June 2022.

Future medical workforce needs are considered annually by the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group (SSoTTG) wherein existing training numbers are reviewed and additional ‘expansion’ posts can be added where there is evidence of increasing future demand for specialist services within a particular discipline. Ministers have created 725 additional training places since 2014 following recommendations made by the SSoTTG, 152 of which were agreed to through the most recent consultation. This represents the largest annual expansion to date. The SSoTTG will review the number of training places in haematology within the upcoming consultation which will take place in 2023.

Furthermore, we are developing a new 10 year Cancer Strategy to launch in Spring 2023 which will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care. This will be supported by a 3-year action plan.

Question reference: S6W-11926

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the delivery of digital pathology services across Scotland.

Digital pathology services have traditionally been the responsibility of individual Health Boards. Recognising the potential for a national approach, a Digital Diagnostics Group was established in April 2022 by the Scottish Government. This group is providing strategic oversight for a number of diagnostic services, including pathology services.

The first phase of this national approach has seen investment of £777,000 during 2022-23 provided to NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland. These three Board's are currently at the implementation stage and the learning from this work will shape plans for a national rollout across all boards in Scotland from 2023-24 onwards.

Question reference: S6W-11925

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10639 by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2022, whether it will include reference to haematological cancers in the next cancer strategy for Scotland.

We are developing a new 10 year cancer strategy to launch in Spring 2023, which will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care.

Blood cancer charities have been engaged throughout the development of the cancer strategy including responding to the public consultation (to which there were a total of over 250 responses) and in further meetings with the Third Sector.

Question reference: S6O-01541

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government for how long it plans to house refugees from Ukraine on the ship docked on the Clyde, MS Ambition.

Question reference: S6O-01535

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all fire and rescue officers have the appropriate decontamination facilities available to them.

Question reference: S6W-10663

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to implement tactile paving in all train stations to help disabled passengers to travel safely using trains.

Question reference: S6O-01423

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what new steps it has taken to tackle NHS waiting lists.

Question reference: S6W-10639

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how the experiences of people living with blood cancer will be reflected in its new cancer strategy.

A public consultation was held early in the process of developing the new strategy. Over 250 responses were received, which are being independently analysed and will be reported in the Autumn. We are also holding a series of workshops with people with lived experience of cancer in September 2022 to help us gain further insight into the consultation responses and hear directly about peoples’ experiences of cancer. Respondents include those with blood cancers and blood cancer charities.

In addition, we are holding meetings with third sector representatives including those working on blood cancers. All their views will contribute to the evidence that will inform the new cancer strategy.

Question reference: S6W-10642

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of clinical nurse specialists in NHS Scotland, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-10640

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will reflect any particular needs of blood cancer patients as part of its earlier diagnosis vision, as set out in its consultation on a new cancer strategy.

The Scottish Government’s consultation process for the new cancer strategy, which will include the earlier diagnosis vision, completed in June 2022 with over 250 responses. An independent analysis was then undertaken throughout July to September to ensure a balanced interpretation of responses.

Focus groups with those with lived experience of cancer and third sector are taking place throughout September to ensure the reflections of all cancer patients, including those with blood cancers, are considered in the new strategy and vision.