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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6O-03160

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on its financial planning process of the UK Government having Autumn and Spring statements, in light of reported calls for a multi-year budget approach.

Question reference: S6W-25285

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to improve the accessibility of GP appointments.

In November Scottish Government published The General Practice Access Principles. This report, which sets out a clear framework for the core principles of how GP services should be delivered – equitably, sensitively, reasonably and appropriately, making the most effective use of resources and systems currently available.

The main principles are:

1. Access to General Practice is inclusive and equitable for people, based on the principles of Realistic Medicine and Value Based Health & Care. Care will be person-centred and based on what matters to the individual.

2. People should have a reasonable choice about how they access services.

3. Services should be approachable, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate to need.

4. General Practices should help people to get the right care from the best and most appropriate person or team to care for them (Right Care, Right Place, Right Time).

We continue to work together with all relevant partners to effectively implement these principles, including through our commitment to the ongoing recruitment of primary care multi-disciplinary teams as well as Phase Two of the GMS Contract.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Primary Care Access Programme has already worked with over 100 general practices to improve access arrangements and continues to run with excellent uptake.

Question reference: S6T-01818

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure optimum ferry capacity to and from Arran, in light of reports that repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles are not expected to conclude before mid-June.

Question reference: S6O-03100

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to GP practices to help them transition to a telephone appointment queuing system.

Question reference: S6W-24350

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what value of NHS equipment loaned to patients has been written off in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-24351

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 30 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what additional social security benefits are awarded to claimants with autism, and what proof of diagnosis is required.

There are no additional social security benefits specific to autism however when someone is diagnosed with a long-term condition which may mean that they need a range of support they should contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

Social Security Scotland’s Local Delivery colleagues can guide people through the benefits they may be entitled to as well as helping people to apply for these benefits in a way which suits them best.

For Disability Payment applications, Social Security Scotland requires one piece of supporting information on an individual’s condition or disability to help them understand the impact the condition has on a person’s daily life.

Information to support an application often comes from medical professionals, both in the NHS and in the private sector, as long as they are familiar with the individual and their conditions, disability or needs in a professional capacity. Supporting information can also come from other professionals, such as those in health and social care, education, local authorities or the third sector. For example, if someone regularly sees a counsellor, physical therapist or support worker, they could be a better source of supporting information than a medical professional they may not have contacted for some time. Examples of supporting information include a diagnosis letter, a referral letter, a prescription list, a social work report, an additional support needs plan, a child’s plan or equivalent, this list is not exhaustive.

Social Security Scotland treats supporting information from professionals and the clients wider support network equally when they look at applications.

Social Security Scotland works with individuals and disability organisations to design services so that everyone who may be eligible for benefits understands how they can apply for and receive them.

Social Security Scotland is committed to continuously improving to deliver benefits for the people of Scotland based on dignity, fairness and respect.

Question reference: S6W-24347

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is reportedly difficult for patients to return NHS equipment that they have been loaned back to the NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-24349

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of equipment that has been loaned to patients by each NHS board in the last year for which figures are available.

Question reference: S6W-24348

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps the NHS takes to retrieve equipment that it has loaned to patients.

Question reference: S6O-03052

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding any charges levied by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for converting to, and investing in, net zero fishing vessels.